Election Comment
Mariano Rajoy’s Partido Popular swept the general elections winning 186 seats to the Socialists’ 110, and in December will take over the reins of power. Several smaller parties, such as the IU and the UPnD, also made significant gains.

Now after eight years of generally unimpeded political power for the ruling PSOE Socialists, finally a new phase. Rajoy, the new president, has huge obstacles to face, and in spite of what little he says about the details of fixing Spain’s problems, as in so many other countries, leaders can only do so much; markets and Brussels rule Europe now more than ever (Rajoy has said he won’t receive orders from Europe because Spain will do its homework; he also says to not expect miracles…).

So far Spanish political leaders have towed the European line and have ignored how damaging the euro has been to Spain. The crisis obviously hasn’t helped. Spain now has 21,56% unemployment, and their financial affairs are in serious disarray. Markets have not been optimistic about the impending power change, and Spain continually suffers speculators’ attacks. Warnings from watchdogs include another swim through recessional waters, as well as 2012 being worse than 2011.

It seems likely Rajoy’s new government will have to announce new cuts, meaning more austerity for an already austere country. Rajoy himself says that the only thing not up for potential reform and cut-backs are pensions. The Greeks have taken to the streets, and the Italians are making ugly noises. Will the same happen here?

Woman Brained by Dog Poo
A woman walking along the streets of Soria the other day was brained by a bag of dog crap (is nothing sacred?) that someone had thrown out the window onto the street.

It caused her a terrible headache that would not go away, which is when she decided to report the incident. Police have yet to identify from which flat the crap was flung.

Falangists on the March
A Madrid High Court over-ruled the Electoral Commission and the Madrid Government in the case of the Falangist March which took place on the 19th and 20th of November. The Court based the ruling on their perception that the march, which is held annually in honour of José Antonio Primo de Rivera, was not strictly political.

Spanish Law dictates that the day prior to elections, the Day of Reflection, should be free of all political propaganda, which is why campaigns finish the day before; neither does Spanish Law favour any political acts on Election Day. The problem, to a certain extent, is timing.

Primo de Rivera was murdered in 1936 on November 20th. General Franco died on the same day in 1975. The Falange, a notorious fascist group, was formed by Primo de Rivera in 1933 as Europe witnessed the rise of fascism and the subsequent leftist revolt in the form of the Popular Front. They are still around, but have a very small power base.

On Election Day itself they marched to the Valle de los Caidos, where Franco and Primo de Rivera are both buried on the outskirts of Madrid.