• Results: Elections in the Basque Country
  • Scrutiny: Elections in Galicia

The first electoral test after the coronavirus health crisis has not served to promote the PSOE brand in Galicia and the Basque Country. The result in these two autonomies leaves the socialists very cold: they only increase one seat in the Basque Parliament and remain the same in Galician territory. Positions are maintained and there is an evident setback of the party that governs Spain: the PSdeG cedes second place in Galicia before the avalanche of the BNG.

The electoral campaign designed by the PSOE, with great involvement of Pedro Sánchez, has had no effect. Galician socialism loses the status of an alternative to the unbeatable Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who achieves his fourth absolute majority. He stays with the same deputies (14) and becomes the third most voted force. In the Basque Country, progress is minimal. And in both cases, despite the collapse of the force that a priori disputes the PSOE with the votes of the left: its coalition partner, Unidas Podemos.

Ferraz, together with the PSdeG and the PSE-EE, made an effort to sell in the campaign the reaction of the Sánchez Executive to the pandemic. Not only in what is strictly sanitary, but above all in the response that the coalition government has given to the economic and social crisis. The defense that "no one has been left behind", that there are two ways of dealing with a depression of this caliber, the protection of the ERTE against the ERE, the Minimum Vital Income against labor reform, the so-called "Social shield" as the great difference regarding the policies that the PP developed in the face of the 2008 crisis ...

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This approach of progressive model against conservative model, which the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, constantly repeats in his interventions, and which anticipates one of the central axes of future national elections, has not fueled the PSOE on 12-J. The crisis facing Spain is very deep, with many deceased, many people shocked and many citizens affected by economic problems.

In the Basque Country, the PSE-EE slightly improves its 2016 mark and rises from 9 to 10 seats. Its general secretary, Idoia Mendia, opted for an agreement with the PNV to complete its majority, in exchange for three councils. This collaboration with Basque nationalism has been endorsed at the ballot box. But fair. It hardly pays off. The PSE-EE has not hidden its intention in the campaign to reissue this agreement, in terms that guarantee compliance with its electoral program. And it has rejected at all times the tripartite proposal with EH Bildu and Podemos. In this sense, the socialist voter has supported the stability of cooperation with the PNV.

Regarding the collapse of United We Can, in the Basque Country it is profitable by EH Bildu and in Galicia the great beneficiary is the BNG. This circumstance has a double reading for the PSOE. The wear and tear of Pablo Iglesias is undoubtedly good for the socialists, his partner in government, since his second vice president is weaker today. But it is worrying that the PSOE does not take advantage. At least mathematical.

It is true that these are two very unique autonomies, with their own identity and very strong nationalist formations, but that there is no growth on their left bank in a moment of debacle of the territorial brands of Podemos is an inexcusable line of work for Ferraz.

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The result in the Basque Country and the more than likely agreement between the PNV and PSE-EE leaves the PSOE the only good consequence of the night: its relationship with Basque nationalism, which the coalition government maintains, is shielded. Nothing that happened yesterday tarnishes it. In fact, it facilitates Sánchez's most immediate challenge: the approval of the 2021 Budgets, which are the passport to resist the entire legislature. Moncloa believes that it will be able to take them forward with the support of the PNV and Cs. In this sense, yesterday's elections have no effect.

But the electoral Sunday leaves many duties to the PSOE. Two inescapable. One, to what extent do voters value, reward or are aware of the Government's effort to cover the economic and social wounds left by the coronavirus. Two, why have they not been able to attract Podemos voters, which may be their margin of growth in the next generals.

In addition, we must assess the success of two leaderships, that of Feijóo and that of Urkullu, unanimously recognized as good managers and moderate profiles. Apart from the readings in the PP, there is also a general reflection on the Government's responsibility to calm the political debate, to actively contribute to it. His relations with the PP continue to be very bad and the President has not achieved his desire to become a recognized and valued leader in a transversal way.

Ferraz will try to turn the page as soon as possible, minimize the national effects and focus on the Catalan fall elections. But, as is logical, they overturned in the campaign. Sánchez has been both weekends and added two new rallies at the last minute, although he could not go to the Vigo closure due to a problem with his plane. And the presence of ministers has been very important. Last night, the socialist leader was not at the party headquarters and followed the results in Moncloa.

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  • PSOE
  • Galicia Elections
  • Basque Country Elections
  • Basque Country
  • PNV
  • We can
  • PP
  • Galicia
  • BNG
  • United We Can
  • Pedro Sánchez
  • Bildu
  • Spain
  • Alberto Núñez Feijoo
  • Pablo Iglesias
  • Citizens

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