News, July 2011

Local Elections, May 2011

During May the political focus was on the local and regional elections, which took place on 22nd. National parties got a foretaste of what they might expect in the national election, which must take place by March. All local municipal councils were re-elected and most regional governments also. All the regions which had elections were held or taken over by the right of centre Partido Popular and their Navarrese allies UPN. For the socialist PSOE the disaster was complete as even the disputed region of Extremadura went to the PP, due to the support of far left wing IU councillors. The leadership of the PSOE immediately began a change, as vice-president Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba was chosen as candidate for the presidency at the next election.

In the Basque Country attention was focussed on the hopes of the 'Basque Left', groups close to the terror organisation ETA, who have been consistently locked out since a new law outlawed parties which support terrorism. They managed to get an alliance named Bildu though the registration process and in several cities, notably San Sebastian / Donostia the party won control of the city council.

Elsewhere, local issues were less important. However, the electorate is tired of having to vote for parties which are shown to be open to corruption or simply turn their backs on voters as soon as elections have passed. The movement of 'Indignants', also named 15M, after the date on which they began their camps in city centres, right in the middle of the campaign.