Spain Calls Snap Elections
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s left-wing party suffered major defeats in Sunday’s regional elections. Sánchez’s psoe party and its left-wing partners held the governing majority in 10 of the 12 Spanish autonomous regions and wanted to defend it. They succeeded in only three. In response to the defeat, Sánchez has announced national elections for July 23.
A bold strategy: Although Sánchez and his allies have lost majorities, his right-wing rivals, the Popular Party, also failed to gain a new majority. A new conservative coalition would thus depend on the fringe-right Vox party. By calling for snap elections, Sánchez hopes his countrymen will support him rather than the possibility of an “extreme” party entering the government.
I am personally aware of the results and I think it is necessary to give a response. The best thing is for Spaniards to take the floor to determine the political direction of the country.
—Pedro Sánchez
Challenge from the right: Sánchez spent weeks traveling the country campaigning against the new conservative opposition leader, Alberto Núñez Feijoo. The regional elections that were seen as a test for later national elections show that Spain desires change.
Impact on EU: On July 1, Spain will preside over the rotating presidency of the European Council. The outcome of the election, therefore, could affect not only Spain but also the European Union as a whole.
Watch Europe’s transformation: As Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry noted in the cover story of our latest issue, “Ten Kings of the New Holy Roman Empire Rising Now,” we are seeing the prophetic rise of 10 nations or groups of nations in Europe that will unite and change the history of the Continent and the world. His article references how Herbert W. Armstrong, editor in chief of our predecessor magazine the Plain Truth, noted that Spain would likely be one of these 10 kings.
These snap elections give us all the more reason to watch Spain and the rise of a stronger more authoritarian government.
