Spain heads to the polls, political shift to the right anticipated

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + New Websites
23 Jul 2023 10:54

The Spanish snap elections taking place today, Sunday, could bring forward a coalition government being called right-wing.

VOX supporters wave Spanish flags during the closing campaign rally at the Colon square in Madrid, Spain, Friday, July 21, 2023. (AP)

Snap elections characterized by ideological difference between the right and the left were launched in Spain. The polls opened at 9:00 am on Sunday and are set to close at 8:00 pm.

Experts predict that the ultimate outcome will be decided by fewer than a million votes and fewer than ten seats in the 350-seat parliament.

According to AP, the elections "could oust a leftist coalition and usher in what some are calling a return to the right." As for Reuters, it underscored, "Opinion polls show the election, which many candidates have painted as a ballot on the future of Spain, will likely produce a win for the centre-right People's Party, but to form a government it will need to partner with the far-right Vox - which would be the first time a far-right party had entered government since Francisco Franco's dictatorship ended in the 1970s."

In turn, The Guardian wrote, "While the opposition conservative People’s party (PP) is expected to finish first, polls suggest it is likely to fall short of an absolute majority and to have to rely on the support of the far-right Vox party to form a government."

Tomorrow is a critical day for #Spain.
On Sunday, voters will decide whether the country will lean towards the far right, joining some other #European countries, or face a prolonged period of political deadlock with a caretaker government in place. pic.twitter.com/ZR94tX9gfr
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 23, 2023

An explainer: How will the general election shape Spain's future?

Spain's Prime Minister called for a snap election following a poor performance in regional elections.

If the results of the polls translate tomorrow, the Popular Party (PP) led by Alberto Nunez Feijoo is the most likely to win in tomorrow's elections. However, data suggest that the party will be unable to secure the majority and will likely be forced to ally with the Vox party to form a government.

On the other hand, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) of the incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is looking to extend its run in governance, as it will most probably ally itself with the radical left alliance in Spain, Sumar (Unite). PSOE is the oldest political party currently active in the country and has been in government longer than any other party.

The latest polls in Spain show that PP will get 33%-36% of the votes while PSOE will receive under 29%. Vox and Sumar are expected to gain between 12.5%-13.5% each, respectively, which means that forming a government will require an alliance between at least two of the parties.