Far right to have a say in Andalusian government
Andalusia is to be governed by a centre-right coalition with support from the far right. After its success in the regional elections in December the far-right party Vox has said it is willing to vote in favour of the formation of a governing coalition between the conservative Popular Party and the liberal Ciudadanos party. What consequences will the first pact in Spain with the far right since the Franco dictatorship have?
Wind of change for southern Spain
After almost four decades of socialist government in Andalusia the transfer of power is long overdue, El Mundo comments enthusiastically:
“The legitimate ideological differences between the PP, Ciudadanos and Vox prompted fears that the elections would have to be repeated, which would have wasted a historic opportunity for forming a centre-right alliance. But in the end pragmatism, political intelligence and the joint will to depose the socialists after 40 years in power prevailed. Over the decades corruption, nepotism and incompetence had accumulated to such an extent that the huge apparatus of local government urgently needed fresh air. First the voters and now the parties that must implement this historic change of course have understood this.”
The French won't be happy about this
With this pact a taboo has been broken, criticises El Periódico de Catalunya:
“Vox is lowering its demands while the PP has assumed some of Vox's extreme ideas in the areas of business, education, family and culture. ... You can say what you like, but a pact with the far right exists even if Vox isn't part of the coalition. So we'll have to wait and see how those PP politicians who are more critical of Vox react. ... And what repercussions this will have for Ciudadanos' alliances: in the European elections with Emmanuel Macron's party and in Barcelona's municipal elections with Manuel Valls' electoral list [both were firmly against a pact with Vox].”