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
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
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
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
In a Polarized Spain, Voters Give the Socialists Another Chance In a Polarized Spain, Voters Give the Socialists Another Chance
They could form a government with Podemos—but the emergence of a strong far right has significantly shifted the political debate.
Apr 30, 2019 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín
Is Spain’s Left-Wing Party Podemos Cracking Up? Is Spain’s Left-Wing Party Podemos Cracking Up?
No, but a nasty and public cockfight between two top leaders has dispirited many supporters.
Feb 7, 2019 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín
Spain’s Radical Right Is Here to Stay—but Did It Ever Leave? Spain’s Radical Right Is Here to Stay—but Did It Ever Leave?
The truth is, Spain was never really an outlier in Europe, its radical right is not really new, and its situation is hard to compare to right-wing populism in other parts of the co...
Jan 10, 2019 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín
Populism’s Promise: Can Germany’s ‘Rise Up’ Unite the Democratic Masses? Populism’s Promise: Can Germany’s ‘Rise Up’ Unite the Democratic Masses?
This new left formation is trying to win back the blue-collar and middle-class voters who have drifted into the far right’s camp.
Oct 25, 2018 / Paul Hockenos
As Spain’s Government Is Voted Out, Catalonia Continues Its Roller-Coaster Ride As Spain’s Government Is Voted Out, Catalonia Continues Its Roller-Coaster Ride
The Socialist Pedro Sánchez will replace conservative Mariano Rajoy, amid a sea of corruption. But the Catalan conflict has sown deep divisions among those who just ousted Rajoy. &...
Jun 1, 2018 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín
Catalonia’s Elections Take Spain Back to Square One Catalonia’s Elections Take Spain Back to Square One
They made clear that the Spanish left lacks a convincing national project to counter the right’s reactionary, centralist patriotism.
Dec 29, 2017 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín