• SPAIN ON THE ROCKS? A political and economic analysis for 2012 • IBERIANS OF THE YEAR: The most influential people and groups of 2011 •
The man almost certain to win the upcoming election is refreshingly open in an interview with the US newspaper and in which he discusses Spain’s economy, its politics and his own image. His message: Trust me, I’m an ultra-confident moderate.
Many will remember Spain’s socialist prime minister for his mishandling of the economic crisis. But his legacy in other areas – particularly social reform – is substantial.
We may never know reliably why the man who left a bomb in a backpack at the Argana café in Marrakech’s world-famous Jamaa el Fna square, killing 17 people, did what he did.
Spain’s top court allows a nationalist coalition to participate in the May 22 local elections, reflecting a refreshing willingness by the judiciary to ignore political distractions and examine the facts.
The Spanish High Court recently ruled that a new Basque nationalist party should not be allowed to run in upcoming elections due to its alleged links to ETA. However, while the tribal tone of politics in Madrid made that ruling inevitable, there are signs that there are many in the Basque region – and the judiciary itself – who disagree.
The unveiling of a new Basque pro-independence party that rejects ETA violence is a major development. Giving its request to run in local elections a fair hearing would reflect well on Spain’s courts, given the maelstrom of political feeling that surrounds this issue.
The country’s jail population has quadrupled in the last 30 years, despite a decline in crime. Unimaginative policy-making means the increase is likely to continue.
The Basque separatist group wants its conflict with the Spanish state to be an issue with international repercussions. But despite the efforts of a high-profile group of mediators, Spain’s political situation and ETA’s complex relationship with its political support make progress towards lasting peace extremely difficult.
Ongoing terrorism investigations suggest some extraordinary links between three very different terror groups. Recent allegations related to these connections have put the government of Prime Minister Zapatero in an uncomfortable spot as it tries to protect Spain’s investments in Venezuela.
The sixth anniversary of the 2004 Madrid bombings is a reminder of how a terrorist attack helped set the tone of Spanish politics. Moreover, the divisions it highlighted are just as visible today, as the country stubbornly refuses to face up to its recent past.
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