Sebastiaan Faber

Sebastiaan Faber is a professor of Hispanic studies at Oberlin College. An updated version of his book, Exhuming Franco: Spain's Second Transition, will be published in November.

The leader of Sumar, Yolanda Diaz, and the general secretary of Podemos, Ione Belarra, during a walk with the candidates for Congress and Senate, before a public act of Sumar, on 17 July, 2023 in Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.

Spain’s Left Is in Turmoil—and the Right Has Gone Nuts Spain’s Left Is in Turmoil—and the Right Has Gone Nuts

Chaos has hit both wings of Spanish politics—but while the left is still in government, conservatives have turned to Trump-style conspiracy theories.

Dec 20, 2023 / Bécquer Seguín and Sebastiaan Faber

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez applauds next to Spain's Minister of Budget Maria Jesus Montero (R) and PSOE President Cristina Narbona at the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) headquarters in Madrid on July 24, 2023.

Spain’s Left Has Pulled Off a Stunning Electoral Comeback Spain’s Left Has Pulled Off a Stunning Electoral Comeback

Weeks after being routed in local elections, the left staved off a widely predicted general election triumph by the right. Now comes the really hard part: forming a government.

Jul 26, 2023 / Bécquer Seguín and Sebastiaan Faber

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

Spain’s Left Is in Turmoil—and Now It’s Facing a Huge Electoral Test Spain’s Left Is in Turmoil—and Now It’s Facing a Huge Electoral Test

Now that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called snap elections, we will see whether the left can set aside its divisions and block the far right from power.

Jun 6, 2023 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

Oriol Junqueras

Can Catalan Pardons Pave a Way Out of Spain’s Territorial Crisis? Can Catalan Pardons Pave a Way Out of Spain’s Territorial Crisis?

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez released nine Catalan independence leaders from prison. Is it a step toward a solution?

Jul 8, 2021 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

Pablo Iglesias Spain

The Center Cannot Hold in Spain, but Can the Left Take Advantage? The Center Cannot Hold in Spain, but Can the Left Take Advantage?

Madrid voters will cast their ballots on May 4, and the regional election could shape the future of Spanish politics.

May 3, 2021 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

military leaders in the Spanish Civil War

How the Fight Over Spain’s Anti-Fascist Legacy Involves a Former ‘Nation’ Editor How the Fight Over Spain’s Anti-Fascist Legacy Involves a Former ‘Nation’ Editor

Spain’s progressive government is protecting the tomb of Julio Álvarez del Vayo, foreign minister for the Republic during the Civil War and later a Nation editor. Spain’s right win...

Dec 28, 2020 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

Iglesias congratulates Sanchez

Spain Just Formed Its First Left Coalition Government in More Than 80 Years Spain Just Formed Its First Left Coalition Government in More Than 80 Years

It vows to strengthen job security and unions, raise the minimum wage and taxes on the wealthy, pass a climate-change law, and introduce free, universal public child care.

Jan 7, 2020 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

Spain Sanchez and Iglesias Unidas Podemos

The Left May Finally Govern in Spain The Left May Finally Govern in Spain

A surge in support for the far-right Vox party induced the feuding left parties to unite—but the stalemate over Catalan separatism could torpedo their coalition.

Nov 22, 2019 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

Catalan independence 2019

Spain’s Catalonia Crisis Just Got a Lot Worse Spain’s Catalonia Crisis Just Got a Lot Worse

Massive peaceful protests, along with days of violent clashes, demonstrate that the fight over this region’s independence movement affects the entire country and is far from over.

Oct 21, 2019 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

Spain Coalition Talks Fail

Will Spain Follow Europe’s Right-Wing Populist Trend? Will Spain Follow Europe’s Right-Wing Populist Trend?

The left’s failure last week to form a coalition reflects deep distrust between the Socialists and their rival, Unidas Podemos—and the right is elated.

Jul 31, 2019 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

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