Editorial: Tough talking

The local election result on Sunday has rocked the Balearics to its foundations. While the smaller parties were expected to do well, no-one ever thought that the new protest and anti-austerity party, Podemos, would become the third force in local politics. The left-leaning nationalists, Mes, also did exceptionally well. Now under normal circumstances the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) would be in the driving seat and they would form the coalition government with the other left-wing parties as their junior partners. It must be remembered that the islands have been governed by two coalition governments led by the Spanish Socialist Party. But on this occasion the junior members will be demanding more because of their successes at the ballot box. Infact the Spanish Socialist Party had a good night at the polls but not a great night. Francina Amengol, the socialist leader, is expected to become the new Balearic President although she will have to give senior roles in her government to both Podemos and Mes. The negotiations will be tough, also. Once the pact has been completed in Palma it will be “farmed out” to other areas such as Calvia. Meanwhile, the biggest losers of the night, the Partido Popular, will be left licking their wounds. The scale of their defeat is tremendous and they could end up with just a small number of councils. Partido Popular leader, Jose Ramon Bauza, is also under pressure to quit along with other party officials.