What future for Spain after the election?

with Michael Reid

Writer and journalist Michael Reid, former Madrid correspondent for The Economist and author of Spain: The Trials and Triumphs of a Modern European Country, speaks at Canning House on the outcomes of Spain's 2023 general election.

Spain looks set to remain entangled in the messy world of coalition politics. A 23 July snap election, called by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after Spain’s left suffered significant losses in local elections, will almost certainly see the mainstream conservative Popular Party (PP) replace the Socialists as Spain’s most-voted party – but they most likely will not rule alone, with a new coalition between PP and Vox, an anti-immigration party of the Spanish right, a probable outcome.

For their part, the Socialists claim a positive economic record, raising the minimum wage and cutting unemployment. Sánchez has talked up action against climate change, from which the country is suffering, and relations with Latin America, pushing for this month’s EU-CELAC summit. But while its politicians appear to be diverging, most Spaniards remain moderate. Some would like to see a grand coalition of moderates, but such is the depth of Spain’s left-right divide that this looks impossible.

What will all this mean for Spain’s coming years? Even if they lead in voting, will the PP be able to govern, and if so on what terms? Join us at Canning House on 26 July.

SPEAKER

Michael Reid

Writer and journalist, former Madrid correspondent for The Economist

Discussion chaired by

Jeremy Browne

CEO, Canning House

Questions?

Please contact us with any questions about this event.