Spain's Socialist Moment The left in Spain is involved in a process that will culminate in a practical political programme, with a focus on social rights
Martyn Richard Jones Guardian UK July 11, 2010 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/11/spain-socialist-moment Contrary to published opinion, the "socialist moment" which was supposed to be triggered by the financial crisis is not evaporating. While conservatives and social democrats find themselves mired in the contradictions of neoliberal economics, and in the willful sacrifice of participatory democracy and constitutionality on the altar of market dogma, leftwing movements around Europe, from Estonia to Portugal, are constructing alliances to counter the noxious effects of yet another crisis of capitalism. The revivalist efforts of the left are clear in Spain, where two complementary initiatives are unfolding. The first, Socialismo 21, is politically and culturally a socialist project - a grassroots thinktank, for want of a better term - whose aim is to bring together broad and diverse elements of the left in order to regenerate socialism. This type of organisation is new in Spain, but Socialismo 21 is already a project of substance, one that benefits from heavyweight support. The second - and electorally more important - initiative is championed by the United Left (a party originally formed as an electoral coalition) which has recently finalised the first stage of an ambitious two- year project to redefine a plural, democratic and united political force for social change. In contrast to Socialismo 21, the United Left is a political party, and therefore its aim is also to provide clear and compelling reasons why people should vote for it. Some readers, perhaps more so in the UK and the US, may be surprised by reports of a leftwing revival within the EU, but in the case of Spain there are some historical precedents. The Communist party, led by Santiago Carrillo, was legalised in 1977 and enjoyed some success, relying mainly on a solid base in Andalusia, Madrid and Asturias. By 1982, Felipe Gonzá lez, the charismatic leader of the Socialist Workers party, was dominating national politics and support for the communists waned. By 1986, constituent members of the organisation opposed to Nato membership formed a broad coalition; it included communists, democratic socialists, ecologists, feminists, humanists, and republicans. With Gerardo Iglesias as leader, the United Left consolidated its vote. Matters improved in 1989, when Córdoba's former mayor, Julio Anguita took over. In the early 1990s, the party tripled its share of parliamentary seats, but ill health forced Anguita to take a back seat, and the party's popularity declined. Under Anguita's successor, Francisco Frutos, the party won eight seats in 2000. That same year, Gaspar Llamazares took over as leader, with the party winning five seats in 2004 and two seats in 2008 (an electoral trouncing that some attributed to Gaspar's intimate relationship with the Socialist Workers party). By the end of 2008, Castilian agriculturist Cayo Lara replaced Gaspar as leader, thus bringing to an abrupt end an episode marked by an inexplicable drift towards the centre. It is Cayo, among others such as Julio Anguita, who is driving the initiative to reinvent the left. Indeed, the fact that Cayo shares many of the values and qualities of Anguita - in terms of social justice, democracy and honesty - is winning him a lot of support. The new beginnings of the left have been a long time coming, and slow in taking off, but now it has finally started it is not to everyone's taste. Some of the complaints are quite legitimate; while other complaints are simply the force of custom. However, there are clear social arguments and imperatives that make a strong leftwing political alternative in Spain more necessary now than at any other time in the last two decades. The radical left in Spain is currently involved in a process, one that will culminate in a coherent and practical political programme. That process will focus on an environmentally sustainable economic model, social rights and public services, political rights (a model of participatory democracy), feminism, internationalism, reflections on organisational issues and "the appeal to the left". It's true that the United Left had very little choice but to embrace change. To paraphrase Julio Anguita, it was either going to die as a political force or it would need to successfully reinvent and re-establish itself. The first major hurdle for the new left has already been set: the general strike called for 29 September. This will be the test of the viability, coherence and cohesiveness of the United Left and the leadership of Cayo Lara. What will be the outcome? We can but wait and see. c Guardian News and Media Limited 2010 _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list Marxism-Thaxis@lists.econ.utah.edu To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
