Where does Spain's political future lie?

The  polls published in the Spanish media before the European elections gave PODEMOS, at best, two seats . Finally, the political wing of the Movement 15M jumped into the political arena boosted by more than a million votes, which placed it as the fourth power of Spain with five seats, just one off from Izquierda Unida. The leader of PODEMOS, Pablo Iglesias, has managed to concentrate the votes of citizens, tired of bipartisanship and strangling economic measures imposed by European disenchantment. But what alternative economic proposals raise PODEMOS? Some are saying that they are radical left wing and their political “promises” just aren’t financially viable. 

I personally think that some of their policy will bring even more problems in the long term and effect the competitiveness of Spain in relation to its neighbours. 

Below are the ten most important points of their recently released economic programme.

What is your opinion and do you see them as an alternative or a political party that is here today and gone tomorrow, once the others pull their socks up?

Economic Programme

1. Debt

Podemos aim at citizen audits of public and private debt to define which parts of these can be considered illegitimate, so that they can take action against those responsible, and declare its default.

2. Working life

The party lowers the working week to 35 hours per week and the retirement age to 60 years. These mechanisms, according to the programme, will equitably redistribute wealth and work, promoting a balance in family life."

3. Labour reforms

The party will make illegal layoffs in companies with profits. At the same time they will begin to revoke of labour reforms implemented since the beginning of the crisis.

4. Minimum and maximum wage

They propose to significantly increase the minimum wage and set a maximum wage linked to the minimum wage.

5. Pension system

Podemos calls for the right to have a non-contributory State pension; the amount would equal at least the minimum wage. In addition, they would proceed to revoke  the last pension reform.

6. Regularization of the economy

Pablo Iglesias proposed to restore public control of the economy "through public acquisition of part of the strategic sectors (telecommunications, energy, food, transportation, health ...) to guarantee a majority public participation in their boards."

7. Workers on the Boards of Directors

The party defends the increase in "economic democracy” by facilitating the participation of workers in management boards of companies.

8. Tax the rich

The key points for a fair taxation: taxes on large fortunes and progressive income taxation; increase the rates of corporate tax; to bring back the wealth tax  based on the principle of equity; eliminate tax privileges tied to finance capital; reduction of VAT on basic goods.

9. More sanctions for tax offenses

The party proposes the introduction of a “Tobin Tax” on financial transactions; classification of tax offense from €50,000. Broadening mechanisms and resources to chase fraud and tougher penalties for this crime.

10. Social Benefits for everyone

The last proposal made by PODEMOS is the right to a basic income for every citizen for the mere fact of being a Spanish citizen with a minimum value corresponding to the poverty line in order to have a dignified life.

So what do you think? 

Could this be the future of Spain?

Hi Ian.

These are my initial thoughts (not saying I'm right).

1. The 'citizen audtis' remind me of Citizen Smith. Crikey. Also sounds like something Pol Pot would have come up with. All they'd need is a load of 'citizens' with loads of debts to be on the Committee and they'd rule the debts of themselves and/or their friends to be illegitimate. It's the kind of solution a bunch of very young school-children might come up with (but that's insulting school-children as they'd probably come up with something a lot better.

2. The working week one is okay as long as they don't expect to be paid for 40 hours if that's what they previously did. The retirement one is mad. For a country in economic crisis and whose citizens have a long life expectancy - other countries are seeing sense and realising that early retirement ages aren't feasible. Retirement and getting state pensions etc. at 60 or 65 were based on much lower life expectancies.

3. More of power to the people. They'll wreck businesses and wreck the country even more. People who know nothing about business are coming up with these plans. Zimbabwe springs to mind. No-one will want to be in business if workers gain control of other people's businesses, that they might have built up over decades.

4. Again, they say they'll increase the minimum wage, but these people who are 'increasing' it aren't paying for it. It's very easy to say to others 'you must pay more' if you're not the one who has to take the economic impact of this. Now, for some reason, I'm thinking of 70s Britain. (don't know why - I was a kid - others will know more)

5. I don't know what the current provision in Spain is for state pensions, so can't comment. No idea if it would be feasible for that to be at the level of the new increased minimum wage they promise. All sounds really pie in the sky. Economics for idiots.

6. As we know in Britain, nationalisation isn't an answer to much. My own observsation is that the private sector functions much better than the public sector. When people are being paid a wage whatever, they often can't be arsed to do their job.

7. Worker representation on management committees might be okay. Maybe they do that already? No idea on this one.

8. Don't mind higher taxes on the rich, but obviously depends what is specifically meant by this. 40% is a high tax as is 80%, but the two would have very different implications for the economy. I don't agree with wealth tax. If you have a house worth a million and a pittance of an income - as can often happen - where are you supposed to find the money every year to pay the wealth tax. This is a policy based on envidia, in my opinion. It shows an inability to ever empathise with 'the rich.' I don't suffer that affliction myself, knowing that rich people like poor people have their share of human misery.

9. Re. the tax offences. Not sure what they specifically propose. The stuff the current Government brought in whereby you make a mistake worth one euro on your tax declaration and you get an enormous fine (5,000? 10,000?) and similar laws are FARCICAL in their draconionism. Brought in my madmen and ignoramuses, is my humble opinion.

10. Social benefits for everyone. That's great. No problem with that. I relied on benefits as a child and thank God we had them. In the UK I think they're too generous now, because they serve as a deterrent compared to working. In Spain it must be very difficult as there is no Housing Allowance and people must choose between eating and paying rent or the mortgage. But this one is another big promise, that has to be funded and they also don't want to go down our route, I think.

There we are Ian. I taxed my brain enough on that one. I'm sure some equally good brains (she said modestly) can now add to this. It could be interesting. Although I always wish that when good ideas are brought up they could have some influence on the Spanish Government - don't care too much about influencing this PODEMOS. I feel sure they wouldn't listen to any alternatives that didn't tie in with their utopian vision - and come to think of it, that's what makes these kinds of ideas dangerous. I hope they don't get any further and that it was just a protest vote for most.

Hi Eggcup

My thoughts entirely. I too hope it was just a protest vote to kickstart the other parties. What ever it was, it has caused that effect, leaders resigning across the board, even the King abdicating has been tied to the fact that an abdication law would only be passed with a majority vote in parliament, which at the moment exists with the PSOE and the PP, but may not be the case in the next general election if other more left wing parties like PODEMOS gained more seats. 

Thanks for taking the time to contribute to the thread, I share your thoughts completely. What is worrying is that these "school boy" politics are being preached by a professor in Political sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid and an activist for the Young Communists Party. The problem is that the people who are suffering in Spain want to hear what he is saying and don't think of the consequences, they aren't thinking about what is best for the country, in my opinion.

eggcup

some excellent comments

the basic ideas are good or honoruoable if not workable

we all need to stop accepting the unwritten policies of rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer or the gap getting bigger, we all usetehe cuse of where would we be without entreprenuers etc -maybe it is right and the only way we know how.

By doing this we seem to forget the basic needs of all e.g. the ability to work, provide for ones families,  eductaion for our children, health care, a few of lifes small luxuries, a home and a safety net (welfare state) to protect us when needed and let those at the bottom suffer. We need a big change across the all states in our attitudes so we can all be better off and happier

I think that the only way forward not only in spain but im sure all eu countries though not so much as spain is to not put up with corruption  the spanish seem to accept it at all levels. Once the public stand up and say they wont tolerate it in any way and make some massive sackings in very high places and not say oh well with a gaulic shrug then nothing will change.