Cross-posted from Manwe.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 515600.ece
A good result for the Spanish people I thought over the weekend. Zapatero's government has not been with out flaws but I give it credit for its principled withdrawal from Iraq, the advancement of its progressive social agenda, particularly the legalisation of gay marriage and the long overdue sorting out of Spain's divorce laws that had been too heavily influenced by the Catholic Church. I also support Zapatero's efforts to speak to the regions who favour independence and see what could be acheived in the form of a compromise. That was not, as the PP claimed, giving succour to terrorists (ETA), as it was an attempt to move the debate forwards and get the parties to commit to some kind of political process and arrangement that may lead to a true cessation of hostilities down the road just like what (eventually) happened with the Good Friday agreement. I also thought that the Socialists took the braver and better route on immigration making the kind of considered calls on the issue that I wish many other liberal-left parties would consider as well. Neither pandering nor exploiting immigrants despite it being a hot-button issue in the election.
I am concerned about the Spanish economy and the fact that much of its economic strength in the last decade was fueled by an unsustainable construction boom (I was amazed at the unending sea of cranes in every direction that I saw when I used to drive in from Madrid's airport into the centre of the city). Zapatero is going to have to show restraint and caution in his spending plans in the next cycle as Spain suffers the same impacts from the global downturn as everyone else. Infrstructural reforms including overhauling and stream lining the Spanish public sector and reducing the burdensome red tape for businesses would be a good place to start.
I have to admit to following the Spanish elections fairly closely this time, I have a great affection for the country and think it has generally been moving in the right direction under the current government.