February 2015 3/2015

Teemu Sinkkonen Senior Research Fellow The Finnish Institute of International Affairs

The rise of the Podemos party in Spain > An upcoming enfant terrible in Europe?

Podemos is offering a serious alternative to the other left-wing parties and breathing new life into the rather stale political atmosphere in Spain, but it falls short of offering realistic solutions to foreign and European policy issues, which makes it difficult to beat the leading conservative party.

While Syriza is beginning its rule discontent on the streets has become tional labour parties with their trade in Greece, a new left-wing party, stronger and more institutionalized. union ties are not appealing to the Podemos, is rising rapidly in Spain. Podemos is a direct continuation of growing precariat and unemployed. Recent polls show that this barely the Indignados movement. Its driv- If Podemos can gain govern- one-year-old party is already the ing force is grounded in the same mental power, it would signify a biggest left-wing contender, and is criticism towards the political and small revolution for Spain. Podemos gaining on the leading conservative economic establishment and defence is primarily intent on reforming party. In the Podemos party pro- of public services that Indignados the Spanish political system. It gramme there are, among other voiced in 2011, and the method of advocates more direct democracy ideas, the abolition of the Lisbon forming party policy is based on a in the form of internet participation Treaty, a possible Spanish exit from similar ‘bottom-up’ approach that and referendums on major political NATO and, as in Greece, a renegotia- has its roots in the nationwide local and economic decisions, such as tion of the Spanish debt. Does this assemblies and networks formed by the status of the Spanish monarchy, mean that Europe will get a new the previous protest movements. Catalonian independence, and enfant terrible on its political map? The rise of Podemos would not the Spanish debt. It also promotes The rise of Podemos may seem have been possible without the strengthening public services sudden and merely a response to general crisis that besets the ‘old that have suffered due to the strict the economic situation, but it has left’ and the complete failure of the austerity policy of Prime Minister deep roots in Spanish social activism. socialist PSOE party to address the Mariano Rajoy’s government, Since the late 1980s, the bipolarity discontent in its own policymaking. claiming that there is a need to of the Spanish political system has The previous socialist government, regain public control over ‘strategic increased and the significance of led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero sectors of the economy’, namely parties other than the Socialists and from 2004 until 2011, was blamed telecommunications, energy, food, the Popular Party has diminished. for the economic crisis, and the transport, sanitation, pharmaceutics, Hand in hand with the tendency PSOE lost over four million voters in and education. In parallel with this towards growing political elitism, the last elections, compared to the socialization idea, Podemos wants social activism – predominantly in previous elections in 2008. to promote small and medium-sized the form of widespread, non-violent Since then, the PSOE leadership businesses, seeing them as the key to demonstrations – has become an has changed twice with no impact economic recovery. important extra-parliamentary on party support. At the same When it comes to Podemos’s tool for the general public. Since time, the United Left party (IU) has European policy, it applies the same the protests against conscription in dropped from its position as third ideas proposed in Spain at the EU the early 1980s, through the Nunca biggest national party to the minor level. The party programme includes maís and No a la Guerra in the early league with the small regional par- ideas on reforming EU institutions 2000s, up to the post-economic ties. Despite the difficult economic and promoting parliamentary crisis Indignados movement in 2011, situation, it seems that the tradi- control over them, combatting cor- 2

Finnish Institute of ruption, fiscal fraud and capital tives, its policy boils down to mere International Affairs flight, and European-wide equality opposition. This makes Podemos Kruunuvuorenkatu 4 through harmonizing social ben- more of a paralyzing force than an POB 400 efit systems, as well as enhanced innovative and reformist one. 00161 Helsinki freedom of movement – something Much can still happen prior to the that is of paramount importance for parliamentary elections at the end of Telephone over one million Spaniards that have this year. Conservative voters have +358 (0)9 432 7000 left Spain in search of jobs since the traditionally been partisan in Spain, economic crisis started in 2008. whereas left-wing voters have been Fax This means that the party is volatile. This time the left is more +358 (0)9 432 7799 not anti-EU, nor even anti-euro, splintered than previously. but in favour of fiscal federalism At present, Podemos is offering www.f iia.f i and stronger burden-sharing a serious alternative to the PSOE between the EU member states. and IU with its innovative ideas and Notwithstanding its ideas on EU methods of direct participation at reform, Podemos does not have a home, but it falls short of offering clear foreign policy agenda. It pro- realistic solutions to foreign and poses a referendum on the Spanish European policy issues. Furthermore, membership of NATO and urges the party still has a long way to go recognition of the Palestinian State. before it can beat the ruling conserv- Added to this, it emphasizes the need atives, which would be necessary in for a stronger Latin American and order to realize any of its ideas. In Mediterranean focus, an issue that order to do that, Podemos needs to has always been important for Spain. focus more on delivering concrete However, Podemos’s direct and solutions rather than vague criticism. participatory method is not compat- Otherwise, the party will be just ible with the quick and efficient another enfant terrible, stumping The Finnish Institute of International Affairs is an responses that are often necessary in feet and making noise. independent research institute that produces high-level research to support political decision-making and politics. For example, like its Greek public debate both nationally and internationally. counterpart, Syriza, Podemos has stated that it also opposes sanctions All manuscripts are reviewed by at least two other against Russia because it regards experts in the field to ensure the high quality them as inefficient. Since Podemos of the publications. In addition, publications strongly opposes any kind of military undergo professional language checking and editing. The responsibility for the views measures, but is vague about non- expressed ultimately rests with the authors. militant and non-economic alterna-