Skip to content
The Bubble
Madrid

đŸ–ïž This Week in Spain: Summer Voting

Also: Don Benito forever, a Spanish NATO boss (?) and Alejandro Sanz's dark moment.

By @IanMount and @AdrianBono | June 1, 2023 | Madrid | Issue #16

🎉 Welcome to The Tapa, an English-language, weekly newsletter about all things Spain!

đŸ„œ This Week in a Nutshell: We thought after last weekend’s intense regional and municipal elections we would be taking a break from politics, at least for a few months. We were horribly wrong. The results were so bad that Prime Minister SĂĄnchez decided to call a snap general election for July and now all we hear about is politics, politics, politics. And for the first time in Spanish history, people will be going to the polls in the middle of summer, which is freaking out pretty much everyone. Get ready. The next eight weeks are going to be intense.

🙏 Remember that if this email gets truncated at the bottom because it’s too long, just click here to read the rest on Substack.

đŸ•șIf you haven’t subscribed yet, please do so by clicking on the button below.

Subscribe now

đŸ«¶ And if you already have, please send this newsletter around to your friends and family and help us keep growing.

Share

Kiss your summer vacations goodbye

⛱ What a Week! PM SĂĄnchez Calls Snap Summer General Election After Dismal Sunday Results for PSOE

Didn’t see that one coming, did ya? Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez’s decision to call snap elections after his PSOE socialists were slapped down in the 28M polls was one of those rare events in politics: a genuinely surprising move. 

  • Of course, SĂĄnchez is no stranger to the brazen move. Like organizing the no-confidence vote that took down former PP premier Mariamo Rajoy in 2018. Or calling snap elections in 2019 when the left-leaning Catalan separatist party ERC refused to support his budget. Or then calling elections again when he couldn’t form a government with Podemos—and following those elections, forming a coalition with Podemos after saying he “couldn’t sleep” with them in the government. Fine, he’s zigged and zagged, and zogged, but this one really was a surprise.

So why did he do it? 

  • Upending the chess board changes the subject and takes the focus off the PP. Populares boss Alberto NĂșñez FeijĂło won a surprisingly stinging victory over the PSOE on Sunday, but in less than a day SĂĄnchez stole back the spotlight by calling new elections. Victory lap? Nope. Time to plan for the next elections? Not that either. 

  • Doing it now avoids a slow death by 1,000 papercuts over the next 6 months. You’ve put in notice at a job before, right? Two weeks, maybe a month, of easing out, doing progressively less work. Not bad. Now imagine six months of that—but while your enemies tear you down. Which leads us to


  • Game of Thrones logic: It stops challengers inside the PSOE from taking him on. Imagine you’re the top dog of the pack, and then you lose—badly. Suddenly a bunch of the next generation—and some members of your own—begin to wonder if they might kill you off. Like, why stay around? (And hey, doing something crazy might scare them into thinking you’re the only one!)

OK, so what’s next? 

From the PSOE, expect lots of scare talk about fascists. After losing the 28M elections, Sånchez went on the attack, sending a dire warning that this 23J election comes down to him or the extreme, far, crazy-pants right. 

  • SĂĄnchez said it’s time for the citizens of Spain to decide whether they want a president like Joe Biden or far-right leaders like Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, comparing the PP to an extremist, far-right party. When talking about Vox, SĂĄnchez said there is a “reactionary wave” spreading through Europe and that Spain is not immune to it.

From the PP, expect some scare talk too, about “freeing” Spain from the “radical left”—and vague chatter about the need to “repeal Sanchismo”. 

  • Even before 28M, Madrid regional president Isabel DĂ­az Ayuso had described the regional elections as a choice between “Sanchismo or Spain”. After winning, she was equally, um, generous, about her adversaries. It was time to finish off “minorities who hate Spain” and end "this political and institutional degradation" in which "Pedro SĂĄnchez had put the country."

  • PP boss FeijĂło, significantly more mild-mannered than Ayuso, has stuck to talk about “repealing Sanchismo”. As in, “The Spanish are bored with the confrontation. I am going to unite them again in harmony and tolerance and recover the economy of our country. I am going to repeal Sanchismo”. Or, as he later added, SĂĄnchez had to be turfed out because, "arrogance and egocentrism have to be punished at the polls."

  • FeijĂło would very much like to avoid talk about deals with Vox. Although the coalition with Vox in Castilla y LeĂłn hasn’t appeared to have hurt the PP too much, the question is which Vox will come out at negotiating time: the irritating but mostly-bark variety seen in Madrid and AndalucĂ­a, or a more aggressive version that would take down the PP if it didn’t get what it wanted. It’s because of this that FeijĂło is putting off negotiations until after 23J—and why his only response to Vox so far has been, “If Vox wants to repeal Sanchismo, it is in a position to facilitate it.”

Will Sánchez’s move work? Let’s just say the jury is out. Way out.Honestly, calling early elections in July is a Hail Mary pass. And we hear Mary takes the summer off.

  • Sanchez’s hope is that a mix of fascism fright (on the left) and summer laziness (on the right) will allow his ungainly coalition of “Not PP and Vox”  parties to win a majority. 

  • For SĂĄnchez’s plan to be at all viable, a union between the two far-left parties—Unidas Podemos and new Sumar—seems a prerequisite. It may be in the works (now, at the last hour), as Sumar founder and Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda DĂ­az recently reappeared to say that she “accepts the challenge” of creating a broad leftist front. But a deal between the two embattled parties (who regularly spat) would be a marriage of convenience at best. 

  • Even if SĂĄnchez were to pull off a victory, forming a coalition from those parties would be like herding cats. That is, cats who’ve taken speed.

  • For that reason, repeat elections after a “Not PP and Vox” victory might not only be possible, but perhaps likely. Kiko Llaneras of El PaĂ­s offers an excellent breakdown of the various possible outcomes. Spoiler alert: there are very few where the left comes out ahead (Sumar and Podemos joining is a must) and even then would require massive cat herding (see above)

  • Anyway, the whole PSOE coalition fantasy may be just
a fantasy. The world of money (in this case, JPMorgan) is predicting a PP-led government, with Vox supporting it from the inside or out. One support for that view? El Confidencial published a poll Wednesday giving the PP 144 seats and Vox 52 in Spain’s 350-member Parliament, which (sorry for the smell of smoke as we do the math) gives the two enough of a majority to form a government. And most of El PaĂ­s’s options (above) put the right ahead.

No matter what, the next eight weeks will be fun for political junkies—and really annoying for everyone else.

🔔 A Message From Our Sponsor

Bucólico Café is a specialty coffee shop located in Madrid that brings the simplicity and aesthetics of the countryside to the city. They offer homemade products and a variety of coffees from different origins and preparation methods

Bucólico is hosting an exhibition titled The Dreams We Had by photographer Carlos de la Reina, which captures the lives of children and teenagers in Ghana and Sierra Leone, highlighting the beauty and dreams that transcend stereotypes and barriers. It will be on display at Bucólico Café from June 1 to September 1.

Madrid-born photographer Carlos de la Reina challenges preconceived notions, capturing the diverse lives of children and young people along the West African coast. Through collaborations with organizations like 'Obinini Girls' and the 'Justice Brothers,' he emphasizes empowerment through sports.

Experience his unique perspective and captivating artwork at the exhibition in BucĂłlico CafĂ©, located on Calle de Barbieri 4 — a few blocks from Plaza Chueca.

Follow Bucólico Café on Instagram.

💬 Five things to discuss at dinner parties this week:

đŸ€Ź 1. You want me to work the polls? In July?!

Having to vote on a hot summer day is already a hassle for a lot of people. But being called to poll worker duty is much, much worse, especially for those who were thinking of, like, going away on vacation that weekend.

Voting in Spain is not mandatory, so on July 23 millions of people will choose between a day at the beach or staying home to go to the polls (those who think ahead will get a mail-in ballot). Poll worker duty, however, is mandatory and inescapable. You know, like death and taxes. In fact, failing to comply with such a sacred responsibility can translate into a significant fine, or what’s worse, prison time. TL;DR if you are selected and were planning on being away that weekend, you’re pretty much screwed.

  • 40% of the Spanish population takes its summer holidays in July, according to a report by travel search engine Jetcost. That’s why summer elections have sent everyone into panic mode—especially those who have already paid for their their plane tickets and hotel. Right now they have a sword of Damocles (aka poll worker duty) hanging over their heads.

  • El Mundo reports that Google searches on how to avoid poll worker duty skyrocketed immediately after SĂĄnchez announced his decision to hold the general elections in July. “Can I be exempt if I have a trip?”, “When will I know if I’m selected?”, “If I’m selected, can I get a refund?” and “What happens if I don’t show up?” are some of the people’s many questions.

The draw to select the 545,184 poll workers who will have to show up at their polling stations on election day (out of 35 million voters, or 1.4% of elegible voters) is scheduled to take place between June 24 and June 28 . (It’s like The Hunger Games but worse, because here no one can volunteer as tribute). Three days after they are selected, they will receive a letter in the mail, telling them they are up for poll worker duty (181,728 will be named lead workers, while 363,456 will be selected as substitutes). Each polling spot has nine members: a president, two workers and two substitutes for each of them. And cheerleaders. Actually no, that last bit is not true.

  • For those wondering what happens if they don’t show up, failure to attend without a valid reason could be seen as a crime of abandonment or non-compliance with electoral duties, which may result in a prison sentence of three months to one year or a fine of six to twenty-four months.

  • Also, no, having a trip already paid is not a valid reason. However, people can issue a claim before their local Electoral Board, which will eventually make a decision. A “family event of special relevance” (like a wedding) can be considered a valid excuse. Simply craving for the sandy beaches of Mallorca? Not so much.

  • And what happens if you’ve already paid? The Organization of Consumers and Users has already called on travel agencies, companies, hotels, and other sector businesses to show special consideration and sensitivity these next few weeks, offering refunds for booked trips or other flexible cancellation options.

  • The Spanish Federation of Territorial Associations of Travel Agencies requested on Tuesday that, to reassure citizens who have already booked or are considering booking their vacations during this period, the Central Electoral Board accepts "prior travel bookings" as one of the impediments to serving on an electoral board, with a document certified by the travel agency confirming the reservation.

Will this work? Unclear. Just in case, don’t pack your bags yet.

2.đŸ€«There were NATO rumors. And the next thing you know


(Photo by Jannik on Unsplash)

You could think of Pedro Sánchez as Spain’s Mikhail Gorbachev or Donald Tusk—you know, more popular outside his country than in it. A prime example of that are the rumors that swirled immediately after he called snap elections following the PSOE’s trouncing on 28M. Specifically, the rumors that he would just fly off—maybe before the 23J elections—to take over from Jens Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general.

Reports that NATO members will put off naming Stoltenberg’s replacement until after 23J add further fuel to the fire. The next NATO summit, July 11 and 12 in Vilnius, would be the national moment to announce, but it’s not set in stone.  

  • Other rumors go further—that is, they say that SĂĄnchez would even bail before elections, and that his real goal is to be European Commission president, a position held by Ursula von der Leyen. Bailing seems unlikely, however, and the next EC presidential anointing isn’t slated until 2024 (and von der Leyen could aim for a second term).

Sánchez seems unlikely to hang around as opposition leader if the PSOE gets turfed out. Whether he has enough pull in Europe—and the necessary support of Biden—to become NATO boss is above our pay grade, but it seems clear that he would aim for some position outside of Spain to stay above the domestic fray. And remember, when Sánchez said in March he wasn’t aiming for the NATO, it was contingent on him continuing at Spain’s PM:

  • “I see myself—and I hope the Spanish people want this as well—as President of the government for a long time,” he said. “We’ll have elections in December and that is my future and commitment to the Spanish people.”

But now we have elections in July. And even the PP’s FeijĂło is said to be on the SĂĄnchez-at-NATO boat, El Español reports (do take that with a block of salt).

We’ll know soon: The decision on Stoltenberg's successor is now expected to be made in September or thereabouts—once the Spanish Parliament is formed. If PSOE loses power in the general elections


3. 😞 Alejandro Sanz’s dark moment

Massive Spanish pop star Alejandro Sanz caused international concern early Saturday morning when he tweeted that, “I am not well
I am sad and tired
I arrive on stage and something inside me tells me what to do. But sometimes I do not want to be there. Literally.”

  • The tweet, which has been viewed more than 14 million times, generated a wave of sympathy from his fans—and also inspired worries that Sanz was suffering depression.

Click for tweet

  • Sanz tweeted again early Tuesday to reassure his fans: “In recent days, I have received a lot of well-wishes through different channels and I am very grateful for all of them. I had a rough patch this weekend and although the light has come back, it seems that a firefly has awoken in my chest.” He reassured his fans that his tour, which is slated to start in Pamplona on Saturday, would go on: “The sun,” he wrote, “is on its way.”

Click for tweet

Although the subject is less taboo than in the past, stars rarely talk about suffering depression. And Sanz is a supernova of a star. 

Before Sanz’s second tweet, his ex-partner, the psychologist Raquel Perera—with whom he has two children—tried to calm the waters. The situation was not “alarming”, she said. “I think it was a very sincere manifestation of someone who at a given moment feels sad, tired
 It has happened to all of us. Also, I think he is very brave and generous, and very useful. It is going to help a lot of people.”

Here’s to her being right.

4. Don Benito: A Tale of Two Cities (or Maybe Just One)

A lo-res photo of Don Benito. Pretty much all we could find. (Photo/Wikipedia)

This is the non-Dickensian story of Don Benito and Villanueva de la Serena, two towns in Extremadura you’ve never heard of. Only a distance of one kilometer separates them, and together they are the home of some 63,000 people.

This year’s 28M elections were meant to be pretty special in both towns, as they were supposed to be the last ones they would be holding separately. Back in early 2022, the townsfolk in both places voted in a referendum in favor of merging and creating a new, larger town that would be known as Vegas Altas, which would become the third largest city in Extremadura.

Siempre Don Benito got seven councilors in Sunday’s elections. It closely trailed the PSOE (with nine) and won two more than the PP, which secured five. And now the anti-merger party is hoping to join forces with the PP to oust the PSOE mayor, in power since 2015, and cancel the fusion of both towns.

Sounds to us like it’s not happening.

5.✈ Ryanair brings you another fantastic experience

Leave it to Ryanair to turn a sweet trip to Mallorca into something sour. This week, local and foreign press was filled with stories of the airline telling travelers that they’d have to fork over €45 in baggage fees the Mallorcan ensaimadas they wanted to bring on the flight. 

First, the pastry at hand. Ensaimadas are spiral pastries made from flour, sugar, eggs, water and—this being Spain—pork fat. Its name is said to come from saïm, the Arabic for pig fat (the Guardian reports that it was originally as Arab and Jewish pastry that was “Christianized” by adding a pork product!). 

Other airlines have what you could call the ensaimada exception. That is, each passenger is allowed to bring along two for free. Air Europa even specifically states on its website that each passenger can bring on two packed together. But Ryanair being Ryanair
 well you know how that goes.

Ryanair’s policy has, rather suddenly, caused a bit of a controversy. The Diario de Mallorca, which seems to have broken the story two weeks ago, reports that the regional governments of the Balearic Islands and Catalonia have filed complaints with the central gov. 

And to finish, a little (more) absurdity. Some fliers have noted that ensaimadas bought in the airport’s duty free don’t seem to face extra baggage costs. "I can buy them at the airport and they don't cause me a problem," a traveler named Susana López who was flying to Segovia told El Periódico. "Don’t they weigh anything, or what?" Amen, Susana!

🙏 Before you go, please remember to share this newsletter with your friends on social media. The more we grow, the more information we’ll be able to offer each week.

Share

We’ll be back next week with more.

Read the original on Substack