Socialists' split could end impasse

Jason Moore29/09/2016 00:00

At last someone has done the honourable thing to try and break the political stalemate in Spain. The Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) of Pedro Sanchez had stood firm; they would not be backing the Partido Popular, which won the last two general elections but failed to secure a majority. Sanchez had attempted to form a coalition but failed. The only real solution was for the PSOE to back or abstain and allow the Partido Popular to form a government. But Sanchez said no. But a group of prominent members of his own party have now said no to him and the party is effectively split. It could mean that Spain will now avoid a third general election in 12 months and rebel members of the Spanish Socialist Party will break party lines and back Rajoy as prime minister. This is really the only way forward.

Sanchez´s attitude towards the Partido Popular has divided his party, with some saying that he should be thinking of the national interest and not just PSOE. Spain certainly needs a government. The political uncertainty is starting to dent the Spanish economy and someone had to do something. Opinion polls had pointed to a similar stalemate in the next general election, so the chances of any of the major parties winning an overall majority were slim to say the least. The Spanish Socialist Party is now in a similar position to its British counterpart: split down the middle and some opposed to the leader.