Mariano Rajoy leader of the Spanish conservatives, considered the eternal loser of Spanish politics for having been beaten twice (2004 and 2008) in the general elections by Josè Luis Zapatero, finally sees victory, the chance for the redemption of a life.
On 20 November, in fact, the Spaniards are called to the polls. Six months ahead of schedule, i.e. the natural expiry of the legislature, because the socialist prime minister courageously decided so, in order to give the country a jolt, accelerate and anticipate the recovery and regain the confidence of the markets. The electoral process foresees that today Zp will dissolve the Cortes (the two Houses), that November 20 will be the day of the elections and that a month later the new prime minister and the new government will be nominated.
Competing against Rajoy for the privilege of living in Moncloa is Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, a "strong" man of the socialists, former Minister of the Interior and former number two in the Zapatero government. A man of order, inflexible and upright, who is liked by ordinary people, but who according to polls has little hope of winning because the Spaniards want alternation, change, to finally put behind them a crisis that has brought the country to its knees economy and sent unemployment to record highs.
In short, Rubalcaba would pay for the mistakes of the Zapatero government which on the one hand had the merit of favoring some important social and structural reforms, but which on the other reacted belatedly and ineffectively to the international storm and to an outdated economic model.
For his part, Mariano Rajoy is a gray politician, of the apparatus, Aznar's heir, who worked patiently in the shadows, playing the role of leader of the opposition. It is no coincidence that his electoral program, steeped in liberalism, does not actually offer the "keys" that everyone would expect to give the country a change. The feeling is therefore that Rajoy wins by inertia, more by demerit of the opponents than by merit of him. We'll see.
Certainly, should one side or the other win, it is clear what Spain needs: an economic-fiscal policy capable of relaunching the economy, employment and competitiveness at an international level (and therefore structural reforms ), careful management of the public apparatus to contain costs that have risen dangerously in recent years, and then a firm hand as regards the management of relations with the autonomous companies and negotiations with ETA terrorists. The Regions have in fact "snatched" favorable conditions (for example from a fiscal point of view) that have gotten out of hand from the central Government. While ETA continues to be a serious threat to the stability of the Iberian peninsula.
Hats off, however, to Zapatero who has decided to step aside and bring forward the elections. Reason of state has in fact prevailed over personal and party interests, which is by no means obvious. Enough for the prime minister to leave the scene with his head held high and be considered one of the main social reformers in the country. As if to say that his mandate will leave its mark.
