Spain: socialists and far left reach agreement on government coalition

Spain’s Socialist Party and far-left party Sumar have reached a coalition agreement to form a new government.

This was announced by both parties on October 24, Reuters reported.

A day before, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Sumar leader and acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz.

“This governmental agreement for a four-year legislative term will allow our country to continue to grow sustainably and with quality employment, developing policies based on social and climate justice while expanding rights, feminist gains and freedoms,” the parties said in a joint statement.

The agreement also includes plans to reduce youth unemployment, strengthen the healthcare system, increase public housing, raise emission reduction targets, and tax reform targeting banks and large energy companies.

The agreement also includes a proposal to reduce working hours without changing wages.

Sanchez needs the support of 33 lower house MPs from the Sumar party and other parties, including those in favour of Catalan and Basque independence, in his bid to extend his term as prime minister.

If the Socialists and pro-independence Catalan parties fail to reach a deal, the country will go to new elections in January. In these elections, the Spaniards could give the coalition of centrists and the far right the absolute majority they lacked in the last vote on July 23.