spain political reform

The change in mood has also led to the emergence of new political movements. But since the instinct for control runs deep in the Spanish system, both old and new parties continue being tight pyramidal structures with leaders who havequasi-absolutecontrol. As a result, they are failing to open up the system. Crucially, they are not attracting Spain’s able, professional middle classintopolitics. The party that manages to do so will hold the country’s futureinitshands. The Spanish establishment is already manoeuvring to end the crisis faced by Mr Rajoy. The stock exchange has suffered losses and the risk premium has shot up. In addition, the nervousness of European markets is being used as an excuse for fixing things fast. But tinkering at the margins is unlikely to do the trick. The answer to the political discontent in Spain is not quick changes, or evenmedium-termtechnocraticones. To succeed, Spain needs to think deeply and seriously about political and constitutional reform.

Miriam González Durántez