Election Day in Spain (Full Version)

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flyeogh -> Election Day in Spain (Nov. 10 2019 8:22:33)

Well today is election day in Spain and here they count the votes really quickly (in part because it is a list system) and the result will be known by midnight, if not well before. For me it is fascinating watching history in the creation. The extreme right here is gaining support to a level not seen since Franco’s days). They are offering: extreme tax reductions for the middle and upper classes, to promote flamenco and bull-fighting (branded Spanish nationalism), and the banning of regional independence parties. Meanwhile the left who won the election earlier this year are in disarray. By not forming a coalition when they had the chance, they may well have handed power to the right.

And against all that is a growing aggression against Catalunya. Interesting times.

But like many Spaniards we will wrap MIL up warm in her wheelchair and head to the local school to vote. Then to the bar (this year we're going to the Asturian bar) for drinks and tapas. A real family occasion. Perhaps Sundays are not a bad day to have an election [:)]

Then home to light the first log fire of the year. It has gone quite chilly and we’ve had the first serious rain since March. Then I’ll give an online English lesson to a Spanish lady in Carlisle before practicing my new Sevillanas (or come Thursday I’ll have a disappointed prof!)

Hope wherever you are my friends you have a very enjoyable Sunday.



Piwin -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 11 2019 18:40:22)

Looks like the left did alright in the end. Relative drop but not too shabby all in all. Ciudadanos took the hardest hit, and Vox had the steepest rise. Center-right disappearing in favor of extreme right. Sounds familiar. [8|] Still no majority though, so I guess we can look forward to another round in what? 6 months? They need to set up a system where you can just check a box saying "I vote for the same party for all the elections in the next year, now bug off and do your job already". [8D]



flyeogh -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 11 2019 19:25:06)

quote:

They need to set up a system where you can just check a box saying "I vote for the same party for all the elections in the next year, now bug off and do your job already".


yup that would be good. But I can still go for drinks and tapas presumably ??? [;)]

For sure the destruction of Ciudadanos was spectacular. In May they were at over 20% in one poll and talking of winning.

Anyway life goes on. I'm ready for a beer before my final Sevillanas picado practise of the day.



Piwin -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 12 2019 7:20:53)

quote:

But I can still go for drinks and tapas presumably ???


Sorry. No elections, no tapas! [8D]
That's the kind of rule that would start nationwide riots lol.



Richard Jernigan -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 12 2019 23:11:06)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Piwin

quote:

But I can still go for drinks and tapas presumably ???


Sorry. No elections, no tapas! [8D]
That's the kind of rule that would start nationwide riots lol.


In Costa Rica it's not just drinks and tapas. If you can't show you voted in the last general election, you don't qualify for social security benefits, presumably including health care!

RNJ



Neil -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 0:51:07)

So it looks like we are getting a government at last. The PSOE/Podemos pact should have been done and dusted months ago but it took an uncomfortable nibble from the maggots of Franco to finally force them to get their act together. If the same minority parties that enabled the vote of no confidence last summer back or abstain the coalition vote we should be set for the next four years. Por fin!



flyeogh -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 5:40:23)

quote:

So it looks like we are getting a government at last.


Neil I'm not counting my chickens [:D] I reckon back to the urnas next summer. Just hope they can do some employment reform and get the unemployment down before then. But I always was an optimist [;)]



Piwin -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 7:27:48)

@Richard Jernigan Your comment prompted me to look up which countries have compulsory voting laws. I was surprised to learn that the vast majority of Central and South America seem to have them, though apparently not always enforced. I had no idea!

@flyeogh @Neil We should turn this into a wager. Shall we say, if by June 2020 there have been no elections, then Neil wins? I'm siding with flyeogh on this one. The loser(s) will have to pay a round of drinks and tapas (and in case you're sneaky, I'll add: or two rounds of drinks if it's a free tapas place [8D]) in a place of his/their choosing. I see a trip to Granada with free drinks and tapas in our future flyeogh! [:D]



flyeogh -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 8:39:27)

quote:

I see a trip to Granada with free drinks and tapas in our future flyeogh!


Hell of a long way for a drink, as nice as an afternoon with you guys would be, And this could happen 4 or 5 times in the next few years [:D] But I'm in for a virtual drink and tapas [;)]

I saw yesterday that a proposed alliance had 9 parties!!!! Hard enough to get two to agree let alone 9 [8|]

On the enforced voting thing I never have understood it. There are many reasons not to vote that are quite logical/sensible/principled. And if you ruin your voting paper that is often miss-understood. In the UK I voted Raving Looney once to show my lack of confidence in any candidate. Problem was the Loonies had the best policies so my vote was probably miss-interpreted even then[;)]



Piwin -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 9:06:21)

Can you not cast a blank vote in the UK? No "none of the above" option?



Neil -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 9:30:43)

My optimism for a deal may be misplaced but I'm happy to buy a round if it doesn't happen!

@flyeogh Unemployment is on a downward trend. Latest figures were at 13.92% down from 16.74% at the start of 2018, and the lowest since the beginning of 2009. The lowest it has ever been is around 8.00% just before the crash and of course, it hit 26.94% in 2013. So the current figures are positive in that respect and economic growth has been good over the last couple of years.

I think Spain will always have relatively high figures due to the high amount of seasonal/temporary work and the open tolerance of informal labour (black market). They still need to do much more in terms of enforcing a minimum/living wage and making it easier and cheaper for people to work autonomo. However, economists are predicting another slowdown over the next year, so any new government may have a bumpy start!



Paul Magnussen -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 15:16:38)

quote:

Can you not cast a blank vote in the UK? No "none of the above" option?


The Monster Raving Loony Party is a genuine British political party, established in 1983 by one of my favourite musical characters, Screaming Lord Sutch*. He used to run against the incumbent Prime Minister, and when he lost, invite him to a party to show that there were no hard feelings.

When people said that he shouldn’t be allowed to stand, he would point out that he got more votes than the Revolutionary Communist Party candidate, and he was allowed to stand.

quote:

Despite its satirical nature, some of the things that have featured in Loony manifestos have become law, such as "passports for pets", abolition of dog licences and all-day pub openings.


(Wikipedia)

*Although not (it has to be said) one of the World’s greatest musicians.



flyeogh -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 15:52:26)

quote:

The Monster Raving Loony Party is a genuine British political party


Paul too true. A few years back I was a fully paid up member [:)]

Best policy: YELLOW lines will be painted where you can park instead of where you can’t to save money.



flyeogh -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 16:01:53)

quote:

@flyeogh Unemployment is on a downward trend.


Certainly is. My stepdaughter has a job in Madrid that lasts 6 months. She gets 500 Euros a month. She has a degree, is just finishing her Masters, and speaks fluent English.

The excuse is that it is a training period - but in fact she is treated as a goffer. But it sure is a great way to reduce the unemployment count.

At least she found this before accepting a 400 Euros a month in Getafe.

But enough of this. I'm thinking of excuses to get to Granada. Could be a fun meet up and I haven't been to Granada since picking up my Ander's guitar in 2005 [:D] Maybe we could busk a little then the drinks and tapas would be covered?



Neil -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 13 2019 21:01:45)

Hey, I've lived and worked here through some of the worst years of the recession, as an employee and as autonomo - my wife too. I know how hard it can be - we both work two jobs now. But I've seen it much worse than it is now, certainly here in Granada.

Anyway, my busking days are over but with cheap drinks and free tapas that's no problem. Spring is a great time to visit and Hai is coming back here then too, I'm babysitting one of his guitars until then!



Piwin -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 15 2019 10:29:03)

quote:

But enough of this. I'm thinking of excuses to get to Granada. Could be a fun meet up and I haven't been to Granada since picking up my Ander's guitar in 2005


How about "I haven't been to Granada since picking up my Ander's guitar in 2005"? That sounds like a good enough excuse to me! [:D]



makanakijones -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 16 2019 19:59:13)

quote:

And against all that is a growing aggression against Catalunya


Against Catalunya? Really?

I was born and raised in Catalunya and I can tell you that is that is not the direction, The hate was cultivated 30 years ago in catalonian schools and what We have now is the fruit from that.
Other countries have the love for the underdog, but this is not the case, as much as i love Catalonia They will be shamed of the actions they are taking these days.



flyeogh -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 16 2019 21:20:31)

quote:

How about "I haven't been to Granada since picking up my Ander's guitar in 2005"? That sounds like a good enough excuse to me!


Piwin I can see that you can be very persuasive. But SWMBO needs to be persuaded and she, despite being Sevillana, is not flamenco inclined [:-]

But she did go with me back in 2005 and thought Anders was charming. But equally I'm sure you can likewise be charming [;)] Hell I'm talking myself into this [8|]



Piwin -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Nov. 17 2019 17:27:49)

quote:

Hell I'm talking myself into this




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Neil -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Jan. 8 2020 19:49:26)

quote:

@flyeogh @Neil We should turn this into a wager. Shall we say, if by June 2020 there have been no elections, then Neil wins? I'm siding with flyeogh on this one. The loser(s) will have to pay a round of drinks and tapas (and in case you're sneaky, I'll add: or two rounds of drinks if it's a free tapas place ) in a place of his/their choosing. I see a trip to Granada with free drinks and tapas in our future flyeogh!


Looks like the drinks and tapas are on you guys!



Piwin -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Jan. 8 2020 20:23:40)

[:D][8D] I don't know if I'm ready to admit defeat just yet! This fragile majority has to last for the next 6 months!! Damn it, now I'm conflicted because I want their coalition to work, but I also don't want to lose the bet [8D]



flyeogh -> RE: Election Day in Spain (Jan. 10 2020 9:35:08)

I'm going to hang on in there. It isn't over till the fat lady sings.

But I'd also like the coalition to survive as I can only see another election resulting in
spain leaning to the right. Or as Iglesias put it "the right, the ultra right, and the ultra ultra right [:o]

Of course the UK may hard brexit which would leave Spain in the pooh. That might trigger an election.

If all hell breaks loose you'll find me behind the Gib walls - probably with guitar in hand, cap on floor, a nice pint, and fish and chips [:D][:D][:D]



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