Spain red, but less so

Red, just not as high.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
25 October 2023 Wednesday 11:22
8 Reads
Spain red, but less so

Red, just not as high. Hugging Yolanda Díaz is not the same as kissing Pablo Iglesias. Pedro Sánchez comes out winning. Sumar is not an appendage of the PSOE, but it is a complacent travel companion that plays music you like. Podemos, on the other hand, was his nemesis. Nothing that has now been agreed upon by the being of light led by Sumar and the acting Spanish president is ideologically disruptive. Another thing is that it provokes, as is logical, the immediate response of those who feel harmed by the theatricality and the content of what they have announced. First the reno and then the wool. And the second always less than the first.

The agreement between the Socialists and the Sumands basically consists of appropriating powers from the autonomous communities and promising goods and services – health, education, housing – without specifying any financial endowment to ensure their viability. The modification of the law on the financing of the autonomous communities, which is also included in the agreement, requires more will than that of Sánchez and Díaz. Therefore, it is only necessary to understand it as a mere declaration of intentions.

In taxation, bold. But the reductions will come by way of realism and legality. And, regarding the reduction of the working day, the star proposal, will go by neighborhoods. The law now sets forty hours per week, but according to the latest labor force survey, 8.8 million workers – almost nothing! – worked between 40 and 49 hours per week in the third quarter of 2023. And, 1.3 million, more than fifty. So, we'll see.

Three years ago it was agreed to repeal the labor reform of the PP and in the end it was not done. If with Podemos in the Government the socialist party already devalued a large part of the agreements signed between Sánchez and Iglesias, now the same thing will happen, only more easily. And, in addition, the PNB and Junts will be there to put a stop to the leftist left when it suits. In reality, the Sánchez-Díaz romantic date has spawned a socialist program with some bold touches. Of course, nicely decorated with the Sumar vinegar caramel spread around the edges of the plate. Podemos was, on the other hand, real vinegar. Everything he touched, and also what he didn't, was imbued with his taste.

The vinegar has now been reduced to a single-dose sachet of those served with the menu. Only five deputies fighting to assert themselves. Podemos wants to be in the government, but he's screwed. Therefore, he plays his cards through permanent pressure on Iolanda Díaz. The rumors that are circulating are the most varied. Some seem serious, others jokes. From the fantasy of going to the mixed group to the extravagance of ending up integrated into the ERC parliamentary group, perhaps because Rufián is the most similar to a Podemite, although armed with another card.

Saving even a soldier – Ione Belarra or Irene Montero – is a priority for the lilacs, who no longer know what threat to activate so that they are paid some attention. Breaking Sumar's voting discipline in Congress is also part of the tricks they say they are ready to pull out of the hat of the Podemites. This has already caused Ada Colau to dress up as Miss Rottenmeier and remind them that if they don't keep their heads down as much as they need to, they won't have a snack. In other words, without financial resources.

We thought that with Sumar, Bildu, PNB, Junts, ERC and BNG it was enough for Pedro Sánchez to govern. But Podemos insists that it be added to the list with its own name and ministry. Without them, they say, the red will be faded. And they are, why deny it, right. With the five of Podemos at one end and the PNB and Junts at the other, the duet Albano Sánchez and Romina Díaz will have to sing all the lyrics of Felicità in the course of the legislature, as much as we know that both they are able to offer the best of smiles even in front of a parade of coffins.

The content of the agreement between the PSOE and Sumar does, however, allow the electorate to understand that the handshake sought by Pedro Sánchez with the pro-independence parties is for something more than to keep his job at any price But the color of a legislature ends up being marked by the most combative and noisy pawns. And they haven't even said yes yet, nor do they all wear red.