Andalusia Regional Election

[GregTimo]

It begins to happen in Spain. For decades Andalusia the big region in Southern Spain has been a stronghold for the leftside. That just ended sadly
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/worl...tion-1.3718390

Already in Catalonia there was the very good performance of the neo-liberal unionist party C's last year (on the bright side it propelled Catalan nationalists into toppling the PP (seen as corruptest party) government for a 'Socialist' minority one in Madrid) but it caused a reversal of fortune for Podemos and it's allies locally . This time, most worrying, Podemos and allies took quite a hit again and the seen as locally corrupt and decrepit 'Socialist' (in southern Europe, the word 'socialist' has long equated to 'social democrat') 'PSOE' took a further hammering (just as been happening it's 'social democrat' allies all across Europe) . The only silver lining is that the reduced prestige of the local PSOE 'baron' Susana Díaz might loosen things up in Madrid where the party has the young Sanchez as leader and PM (I wouldnt hold my breath, but he might have an increased opportunity of moving back left closer to Podemos anyhow) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_A...ional_election

Reportage from the Spanish leftish portal Publico (which is hard to figure, being somewhat Guardian like but seemingly more loyal to left parties on which it reports a lot, and mostly between Podemos and the old left PCE I think) . Hard to figure out their analysis over several articles as rather difficult thru Google translate , but one thing I note is a reported record low turnout of 58% and the statement
'and the main conclusion, in view of the results, is that the left has remained at home.'
Wiki reported the turnout down 6% , PSOE down 7% and Podemos+ down 5.5% so it may have been more complicated than that
https://www.publico.es/public/dreta-...andalusia.html

[GregTimo]

Some analysis of the further swing right in Spain. While he has some insights and must have an element of superior knowledge of the situation to outside observers (esp amateurs like myself) the analysis seems weak in that the author identifies with the Irrejon wing of Podemos who I believe are flawed both in their dismissal of the 'old left' and their seeming arrogance of assuming they are best suited to lead the way (merely because they're young?). Making an odd ageist version of the old flawed top-downism (ok so that's not the 1st time we've seen that) . What the old left had right was organising and education (and not giving up) but of course elements got corrupted over time (in Spain like elsewhere). Not a good idea to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
My own take as to the further swing right is that while it is complicated, 2 things have happened.
1 (former?) left wing voters are staying at home (due PSOE's corruption and Podemos having to focus on what it is actually for , losing some populist edge and a combination of disenchantment with their new elite too (eg see the fuss over Iglesias's expensive house) , the inevitable divisions of the coalition they are and yet more factors I am maybe not aware of)
2. Former non voters are now voting both for the populist Spanish unionist neo-liberal Cs (main gainers in Catalonia last year https://www.jacobinmag.com/2018/01/c...-indepenedence ) and the populist extreme right Vox
I'd go on to guesstimate, the 2nd was the biggest factor in Catalonia's big success for C's , the 1st the biggest factor in the Andalusian debacle http://www.politicalworld.org/showth...ional-Election

[GregTimo]

Paul Mason, not universally liked even on the left, but he is at least in part right on this, even though his ref to 'Soviet bureacrat' strategy in the 1930s will bring unpleasant reminders of the Stalinist purges at the same time which still discredit the left and helped give rise to the common, 'a sure, they're all the same' apathetic sentiment which has allowed fascism to re-emerge . He could have left that bit out I think or elaborated better. And some will resent 'The News Statesman' as a blairite rag to boot. of course. There is a useful summary of what 'Vox' are and the fact they split from the corrupt Partido Popular is noteable https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2...defeat-fascism