320- Identity: the
building blocks of
2. Literature
and philosophy
3. Art and
architecture
4. Performing
arts
5. Cinema
and fashion
6. Media and
communications
7. Food and drink 8. Living culture:
the details of
Partido Socialista Obrero Español(PSOE)
Spain’s largest left-wing outfit was formed in 1879. Gone is the Marxism of old, today they’re social democrats, as
seen in 14 years ofTransicióngovernment led by Felipe González. They returned to power in 2004 under José Luis
Rodríguez Zapatero, talking about furthering devolution. When Zapatero won a second term in 2008 the pledges
were for a ‘new period’ in Spanish politics.
Partido Popular(PP)
The other main party in Spain, founded in 1976, inhabits the centre right. After four election defeats to the PSOE,
the PP finally took power in 1996 under José María Aznar. They famously snatched defeat from the jaws of victory
in the 2004 election after blaming the Madrid train bombings on ETA.
Izquierda Unida(IU)
The third main national party is much smaller than the PP or PSOE. A mixed bag of allied left wing and liberal groups,
most notably the old Spanish Communist Party, its main power lies in manoeuvring with coalition governments.
Party time: the big threeETA’s political
wing silenced
Batasuna, considered to
be the political wing of
Basque terrorist group
ETA (although they deny
any link), was outlawed
in 2003. In October 2007
the group suffered a
further setback with the
arrest of 25 members
gathered at a secret
meeting. Judge Baltasar
Garzón, Spain’s
crusading law enforcer
(see section 8.5 for more)
was instrumental in both
instances. Many a
rational voice has spoken
out against the banning
of Batasuna as being
undemocratic and liable
to push ETA toward
greater extremism.