The Spanish Socialist Workers Party of Spain (PSOE) won the early parliamentary elections in the country. The PSOE receives 123 mandates from 350 in the Congress of Deputies after checking 99.99% of the protocols. This is stated on the website of the Kingdom of the Interior. Before that, the socialists had 85 seats.

The second place was taken by the People’s Party - 66 mandates. Recall, this political force won in the early elections of 2016 with the result of 137 seats.

The third place is traditionally occupied by the centrist party "Citizens" with 57 mandates.

It didn’t do without sensations: for the first time in 40 years, the ultra-right political force is entering the parliament - the national-conservative party VOX will get 24 seats and will become the fifth largest.

Even before the publication of the final election results, the socialist leader and prime minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, declared his readiness to begin negotiations with other parties on the formation of a government.

“From our progressive position, we are ready to extend a hand to all political forces that respect the Constitution. We will not set sanitary cordons, the only condition we will set is to respect the Constitution, to strive for social justice, normal coexistence in society and political purity, ”he said.

Sanchez also promised to form a "pro-European government."

“We sent a message to Europe and the rest of the world. Authoritarianism and regress can be defeated, ”TASS quoted the words of the head of the Cabinet.

Earlier it was reported that the decision on early parliamentary elections was made in connection with the refusal of the lower house of the Spanish parliament to support the draft state budget proposed by the government for the current year.

  • Leader of the Socialist Workers Party of Spain Pedro Sanchez
  • Reuters
  • © Rafael Marchante

Recall that in June 2018 the leader of the PSOE assumed the post of prime minister of the kingdom, his candidacy was supported by 180 out of 350 deputies.

Prior to this, the Spanish parliament refused to trust the government of the country led by Mariano Rajoy because of the “Gyurtel case”, which investigated cases of corruption in the ranks of the People’s Party, at the same time its treasurer Luis Barsenas was convicted.

"The people are tired"

Stating the readiness to form a new government according to the principle of “cleanliness of politics”, Sanchez hints that the past was “politically dirty”, says Vladimir Schweitzer, head of the department of social and political research at the Institute of Europe, RAS.

“The current popularity of the PSOE and its victory can be explained, among other things, by the fact that the people of Spain are tired of the“ dirty policy ”of the People’s Party, which is connected with corrupt machinations and dubious scams. A part of the electorate of this opposition political force of a center-right sense passed to the socialists, ”Schweitzer said in an interview with RT.

The expert also said that the people, mostly the middle class, are in favor of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party.

“Socialists will carry out a number of reforms, including in the pension system, in the matter of earnings and investments. However, their implementation will depend on the global political situation, ”stated Schweitzer.

  • People with the symbols of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party
  • Reuters
  • © Sergio Perez

As Vladimir Shapovalov, deputy director of the Institute of History and Politics of the MPGU, notes, the people supported the PSOE, as the Spaniards want change - the country found itself in a difficult economic situation as a result of the global crisis, the consequences of which are still observed.

“The popularity of the socialists is linked to the demand for social justice in Spain after the 2008 economic crisis. Spain suffered very much as a result of this process, which was one of the factors for the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party to come to power and its victory in elections, ”Shapovalov said in a conversation with RT.

“The amendment of Europe” is currently a process more than clear, the expert believes.

Recently, in a number of European countries, right-wing forces have received increasing support from the population: the League of the North Party is gaining popularity in Italy, the Alternative for Germany Party is gaining popularity in France, and the support of the conservative National Front Party is growing in France . The expert also added that migration processes play a key role in this trend.

“The reason that Europe is becoming more right-wing, and the political landscape in a large part of European states has changed, was the migration crisis, which also affected Spain,” said Shapovalov.

"Create a balance in the government"

Despite the fact that the Spanish Socialist Workers Party won early parliamentary elections, it could not get an absolute majority in parliament. Therefore, in order to form the Cabinet of Ministers, the PSOE will have to unite with other political forces.

One of the possible allies of the socialists - the left party "Podemos", which received 42 seats in parliament. Its leader, Pablo Iglesias, declared his readiness to negotiate on the formation of a government. At the same time, the Citizens Center Party said they would not enter into agreements with the PSOE.

  • The leader of the left party "Podémos" Pablo Iglesias
  • Reuters
  • © Rafael Marchante

“We must be sincere. (The leader of the PSOE Pedro) Sanchez already has a government with (the leader of the left-wing coalition Unidas Podemos Pablo) Iglesias with the support of the nationalists, ”Rene Novosti quoted one of the centrist leaders Inesa Arrimadas.

Vladimir Schweitzer believes that the likelihood of the Podemos becoming the main ally of the socialists is high. In his opinion, this would provide the PSOE with a certain margin of safety.

“However, if the Spanish Socialist Workers Party is reunited with this political force, then there will be a sharp bias to the left. Therefore, Sanchez will need the support of other parties to create some kind of balance in the government.

Probably, the PSOE will also seek allies among the regional parties, including Catalonia, with which the socialists have good relations, as they favor the empowerment of the Catalans, ”Schweitzer said.

He also added that the partnership with the liberals will be more dangerous for the Spanish Socialist Workers Party, since already at the next election they can pull the votes of the PSOE to their side.

Relations with Russia

According to analysts, the victory of the socialists in Spain may affect further ties between Moscow and Madrid. Back in February, Sanchez declared the need to restore Russia's full participation in the work of the Council of Europe (CoE).

“It’s important to find ways that will allow the full participation of the Russian Federation in the Council of Europe, which would allow all members to enjoy their rights and fulfill their obligations,” said the Spanish Prime Minister during his speech at the CE Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg.

He also spoke in favor of the accessibility of all the institutions and mechanisms of an international organization in the territory of all member states of the Council of Europe. According to Sanchez, this will give the citizens of these states "the opportunity to apply to the European Court of Human Rights if all judicial internal institutions have been exhausted."

  • Council of Europe
  • © FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP

According to Vladimir Schweitzer, the Spanish side is more inclined to cooperate with the Russian Federation than many other EU countries.

“In Spain they consider that Russia should be represented absolutely in all international organizations, since it is a large and important power. Madrid also supports Russia in the Middle East, ”the expert said.

Schweizer also added that Russian-Spanish state relations will remain partnerships.

“With the new government, the trend will continue - interaction will take place in such areas as tourism, culture, as well as in the field of economy and trade,” the expert stated.

Vladimir Shapovalov shares a similar position.

“Spanish politicians will demonstrate loyalty to Russia. There are no contradictions between Moscow and Madrid - the parties have always been partners, ”the expert noted.