Spanish Political Landscape: From UCD’s Demise to PP’s Rise
The Decline of the UCD and the Rise of New Parties
The Union of Democratic Center (UCD) experienced very poor results, which led to its demise as a political force. Adolfo Suarez attempted to revive the political center by establishing the Social Democratic Center (CDS).
The Communist Party and the Left
The PCE’s parliamentary representation was reduced to four deputies, causing its historic leader to resign. This led to a major crisis within the Communist Party. Mid-decade, a coalition of leftist parties was formed under the name of Izquierda Unida (IU).
The Right and Regional Nationalists
On the right, Alianza Popular (AP) secured 106 deputies. Basque and Catalan nationalists, through the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and Convergence and Union (CiU), maintained their parliamentary groups and strengthened their regional governments. In Andalusia, the Andalusian Socialist Party (PSA) failed and transformed into the Andalusian Party (PA).
PSOE’s Electoral Decline and Social Unrest
After the PSOE’s second electoral victory in 1986, a gradual decline in electoral support was observed. Spain ended that year with a general strike, a social response to government actions on labor and economic adjustments. The 1987 municipal elections saw a significant loss of votes for the PSOE.
1989 Elections and Political Realignment
In the 1989 elections, Felipe González managed a narrow majority and had to form agreements with Suarez and nationalists in Catalonia and the Basque Country. The election results highlighted the lack of a political alternative to the PSOE. The Popular Party, led by José María Aznar, repeated the 1982 results of Fraga, leading to the idea that the Spanish right had reached an “electoral ceiling.” Adolfo Suarez’s CDS failed to consolidate as a political option, and Izquierda Unida could not significantly erode the socialists’ support.
Internal Dissension and the Rise of the PP
Internal dissension arose within the Socialist Party between different factions: the “guerristas” and “renovators.” The economic horizon pointed towards recession and crisis, which, along with scandals and corruption cases, led to the Popular Party becoming a viable alternative government in the 1991 municipal elections.
The Union of Democratic Center (UCD) experienced very poor results, which led to its demise as a political force. Adolfo Suarez attempted to revive the political center by establishing the Social Democratic Center (CDS).
The Communist Party and the Left
The PCE’s parliamentary representation was reduced to four deputies, causing its historic leader to resign. This led to a major crisis within the Communist Party. Mid-decade, a coalition of leftist parties was formed under the name of Izquierda Unida (IU).
The Right and Regional Nationalists
On the right, Alianza Popular (AP) secured 106 deputies. Basque and Catalan nationalists, through the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and Convergence and Union (CiU), maintained their parliamentary groups and strengthened their regional governments. In Andalusia, the Andalusian Socialist Party (PSA) failed and transformed into the Andalusian Party (PA).
PSOE’s Electoral Decline and Social Unrest
After the PSOE’s second electoral victory in 1986, a gradual decline in electoral support was observed. Spain ended that year with a general strike, a social response to government actions on labor and economic adjustments. The 1987 municipal elections saw a significant loss of votes for the PSOE.
1989 Elections and Political Realignment
In the 1989 elections, Felipe González managed a narrow majority and had to form agreements with Suarez and nationalists in Catalonia and the Basque Country. The election results highlighted the lack of a political alternative to the PSOE. The Popular Party, led by José María Aznar, repeated the 1982 results of Fraga, leading to the idea that the Spanish right had reached an “electoral ceiling.” Adolfo Suarez’s CDS failed to consolidate as a political option, and Izquierda Unida could not significantly erode the socialists’ support.
Internal Dissension and the Rise of the PP
Internal dissension arose within the Socialist Party between different factions: the “guerristas” and “renovators.” The economic horizon pointed towards recession and crisis, which, along with scandals and corruption cases, led to the Popular Party becoming a viable alternative government in the 1991 municipal elections.