The Confusion of Andalusian Socialism
The Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) of Andalusia continues its erratic search for a clear direction as an opposition in the region. Despite the five years that have passed since he lost power and the almost three years of Juan Espadas’ leadership, the Andalusian socialists continue to stumble without finding their place.
The lack of strategy and the absence of a solid project have left the PSOE disoriented and misplaced, unable to capitalize on the errors of the Popular Party (PP) government led by Juan Manuel Moreno or to effectively defend the management of the central government of Pedro Sánchez.
The socialist parliamentary group has shown worrying symptoms of political disconnection, such as their inexplicable abstention on the law legalizing illegal irrigation in Doñana, which earned them a reprimand from the Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera.
Questionable Abstentions
The abstentions of the PSOE on key issues have generated confusion among its bases. For example, they abstained from the 19% increase in the salary of the president and other senior PP officials, despite criticizing the method used.
This abstention contrasts with the PP’s opposition in Congress to the increase in the minimum wage and the anti-crisis decrees that revalued pensions, which benefit 3.3 million people in Andalusia.
The Low Profile of Swords
Juan Espadas, general secretary of the Andalusian PSOE, has opted for a low profile, with the aim of avoiding tension and not giving oxygen to the extreme right. However, this strategy has not borne the expected results and has contributed to the PP’s absolute majority in 2022.
The recent alliance with other left-wing forces, such as CCOO and Izquierda Unida, runs the risk of projecting an image of weakness of the once powerful Andalusian PSOE.
The Speaker in the Senate: A Double-Edged Sword?
Espadas’ decision to assume the PSOE spokesperson in the Senate has been controversial. The objective was to increase its visibility and strengthen Andalusian socialism at the national level.
However, some members of the party question the effectiveness of this strategy, arguing that it takes time away from the necessary resuscitation of the organization in Andalusia.
The Andalusian federation of the PSOE, with 43,610 members, remains the largest, but has lost its influence and power. The loss of the Andalusian government and the main cities has left the socialists with only two deputies as bastions against the advance of the PP.
The Recognition Deficit
Despite his visibility, Espadas is better known for national political issues, such as the amnesty, than for his criticism of Moreno’s management.
Espadas’ opposition to Moreno and his health management, the weak point of the PP government, seems to be gaining ground. However, it remains to be seen if he will be able to get the Andalusian PSOE out of its desert journey with its speaker in the Senate.
Moreno’s Challenge: Elusive and Resilient
Juan Manuel Moreno has proven to be an elusive opponent for the opposition, similar to Manuel Chaves at the time. He has managed to prevent the mistakes of his government from taking their toll on him.
The PSOE’s complaint about the covert privatization of primary care by the Moreno government has received little response, suggesting that the socialists need a more forceful strategy to capitalize on social discontent with health management.
