PODEMOS would smash the Socialist party stronghold in Andalucia if the elections were held today, according to the latest polls.

The Socialist PSOE would still win the election, according to the survey by Spain’s Social Observatory (OSE), but would suffer an eight point drop in its dominance.

The PP meanwhile would lose 12 points.

Podemos, however, would sweep 18% of the vote in a breakthrough that would relegate the IU to fourth place.

Founded in January, the left-wing political party is led by writer and professor Pablo Iglesias Turrion.

Depite only being four months old at the time, the party stunned the country at the European Parliament elections this year, taking 8% of the vote.

A former Malaga University (UMA) professor has also joined the Podemos ranks this month, to help formulate the party’s economic plan.

Economist Juan Torres – who taught Applied Economics at UMA until 2008, and has previously advised both PSOE and IU – will draw up the Podemos economic plans.

The survey also found that a favourite government for most Andalucians would be a coalition between Podemos, the IU and green party Equo.

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12 COMMENTS

  1. What is Podemos’ policy on the so called illegal building situation in Andalucia? If they had any power, what would they do with it? Where do their sympathies lie? Are they big on freedom of choice… no probably not.

    We are finally starting to make some progress with PSOE on the so called illegal building issue and yes, it was the PSOE led Junta de Andalucia who created this situation in the first place. Personally, I do not like them but since putting them under relentless pressure, we are starting to get the right noises out of them. Of course they have realised that if they do not act soon, the whole place will disappear down the plughole – small matter of.

    It is worth noting that IU (communist party) are opposed to these changes that will legalise most of the properties affected as are the so called environmentalists.

    PP are in favour of the changes and have vowed to change the law if they are elected to the region but this looks unlikely.

    Any readers who think they are unaffected by the so called illegal property issue should think again. Anyone who owns a property, runs a business (and perhaps advertises their services in the Olive Press) or is involved in travel and tourism will have found themselves caught up in the fallout from this dreadful situation. There is no doubt that the property market has collapsed more than it should have since the Priors’ house was demolished. Loss of confidence in the Spanish legal system and subsequent demolitions (John and Jan Brooks etc.) has just made a bad situation even worse.

    This leads me to my next point… jobs, many of which are directly linked to the above issue. The main economic driver in Andalucia is tourism, both conventional and residential and this is the sector where most new jobs will be created. Residential tourism has taken a nose dive since the Prior’s demolition in 2008 but if they act quickly and push the new law through now, this could be turned round.

    It is difficult to imagine how someone with Iglesias’ background who has openly said that he doesn’t want Spaniards “to serve beer and tapas to wealthy Northern Europeans” is the right person to address the challenging issues that Andalucia faces. Does anyone actually know what Podemos’ policies are and how they would help the region?

  2. Don’t rock the boat. “We seem to be getting somewhere with the P.S.O.E.” Or should that be spelt “POSE”? – for effect, while they win the election. Then you can swivel.
    Nothing will alter in Spain until the Augean Stables are cleaned. And that will never happen while the baton/fiddle of power is passed back and forth between the double failures that have brought Spain to this pass. No wonder Catalunya wants out.

  3. Jane, you have a choice… go live in Spain where the thieving vagabonds you talk about are, or live in any communist country you wish, Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea. I think I already know where you would choose to live.

  4. Jose: It appears your political myopia is matched by your attention to what you read. Jane was actually agreeing with you. I should have been your target.
    None of the administrations you refer to are true Communist states. In fact, one has yet to be constructed.
    Who knows? Perhaps Podemos could pull off that very tricky balancing act. What does Spain have to lose? Other than its thieving vagabonds.

  5. Jose Luis and Stefanjo, let me explain. I wrote the above post because I am a member of SOHA. I have a property in the Malaga area of Spain which is legal but there are thousands of people who are not so lucky and have been caught up in the so called illegal property situation so I joined SOHA to offer my support. They are stuck in houses they cannot sell, are under threat of demolition and their lives have been a misery for years.

    Since the Priors had their house demolished back in January 2008, the property market has taken a serious nose dive and the whole Spanish legal system has effectively had a vote of no confidence. This situation was brought about by the inept PSOE led Junta de Andalucia who are entirely responsible for this utter mess.

    As I said before, much as I dislike PSOE, they are starting to make the right noises and are supposedly going to put thousands of people out of their misery and legalise their houses. The ecologists and IU (communist party) are opposing this move (God knows why) and I wondered what Podemos’ policy is on this issue. I think that people have the right to know what they are up against and I rather suspect that Podemos will hold a similar view to the ecologists and IU.

    Of course foreigners cannot vote in the regional elections but it is important for them to know which political parties are on their side. To support a party who wants to demolish your house is like a turkey voting for Christmas.

    This so called illegal housing issue affects the majority of people who read this newspaper, either directly or indirectly. Even if your property is legal, it will have devalued more than it should have because of all the legal uncertainties that this situation has created and if you have a business, you will have been adversely affected too. Yes, the recession would have caused a serious downturn in these areas but it has been made very much worse than it should have because of the bad publicity surrounding the ongoing demolitions.

    Perhaps someone can tell us how Podemas and their policies (if indeed anyone knows what they are) will benefit the region and OP readers. What do they intend to do about the so called illegal property situation, will they support legalising these properties or will they try to overturn any decision that PSOE makes now? Are they pro-business i.e. the type of businesses that advertise in the Olive Press? What is their tax strategy? Why would anyone reading this want to support Podemos and what do they have to offer?

    It is very dangerous to vote for (or support if you cannot vote) a political party just because they are different and you dislike the status quo, you need to know what they represent and how it could affect you and the area you live in. We need more information on this.

  6. Well aware of the situation you describe Jane and my heart goes out to anyone caught in the mess these crooks have devised. Podemos is a fledgling party/movement.and will still be malleable and open to reason. If SOHA has been able to negotiate with an already proven-to-be-dodgy party, perhaps a similar bridgehead could be constructed with Podemos.
    SOHA would seem to be an ideal vehicle to sound out this new movement and analyse, judge and decide on its manifesto and credentials.
    Professor Juan Torres, mentioned here, would be a good place to start.

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