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European parliament election knocks out Spain's Socialist leader

Tuesday, May 27th 2014 - 09:24 UTC
Full article 10 comments
Perez Rubalcaba announced he was stepping down Perez Rubalcaba announced he was stepping down
Pablo Iglesias and his 'Podemos' was the great winner on Sunday Pablo Iglesias and his 'Podemos' was the great winner on Sunday

Spain’s Socialist opposition leader Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba has stepped down after his party suffered its worst election result on Sunday's ballot for the European Parliament. Socialists lost nine European parliament seats, while the the ruling conservative People’s Party lost eight.

Together the two parties, that have dominated Spanish politics for decades, took less than half the vote.

“It’s clear that we haven’t regained voters’ confidence,” Perez Rubalcaba said. “There has to be new leadership that takes on change.”

Many voters, weary from the recession and unhappy with wage cuts, lays offs and corruption scandals turned their attention, and their votes, to 'Podemos', a new left-wing party led by university lecturer Pablo Iglesias.

“Our challenge for tomorrow is to build an alternative government with other political parties for our country,” he said.

“We will work with others from the south of Europe to send a message that we do not want to be a colony of Germany or the Troika,” added Iglesias.

Registered in March, 'Podemos', Spanish for ‘We Can,’ took 8% of the vote and five seats in the European Parliament.

'Podemos' did especially well in the Madrid region where there are more than 6 million residents. There, it was the third most voted-for party.
 

Categories: Politics, International.

Top Comments

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  • Briton

    Cough.

    May 27th, 2014 - 07:18 pm 0
  • ChrisR

    This “Churches” guy reminds me of TTT.

    ““We will work with others from the south of Europe to send a message that we do not want to be a colony of Germany or the Troika,” added Iglesias.” And especially the British (he may have added).

    Well, it's all going swimmingly for the EU as most want to leave it.

    I wonder if Gollum2 will continue with his verbal diarrhea over Gibraltar? I mean it has worked so well for them so far!

    May 27th, 2014 - 10:06 pm 0
  • tRoll_with_the_Punches

    Hmmm... He did not add Britain because as everyone knows but deluded you, Britain is NOT Germany, nor it is even close.

    Everyone knows you are artlessly trying to associate Britain with the patina of Germany, but it doesn't work because no one is dumb as you are.

    May 28th, 2014 - 01:37 am 0
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