Andalucía regional elections measure parties' strength
ALL MAJOR political parties are pulling out all their electoral guns in the Andalucia regional election campaign that began at the weekend.
Andalucía has always been ruled by the PSOE since the return of democracy to Spain (40 years), and poll surveys show the socialists will win the elections once again - but will fall short of a required overall majority to rule without another party's support.
All political analysts agree that the election, the first since the vote of no-confidence ousted the PP from central government to be replaced by the PSOE PM Pedro Sánchez, is the first real test for what could happen in spring if a general election is called (see page 21).
The PM himself led his party's political meetings at the weekend alongside acting regional president and PSOE candidate Susana Díaz.
The leaders of PP (Pablo Casado), Ciudadanos (Albert Rivera) and Podemos (Pablo Iglesias) are having a very active role in the regional campaign.
Ciudadanos has a chance, according to surveys, to overtake the PP as the second most voted party in the region. For this reason, Ines Arrimadas, the opposition leader in Cataluña (Ciudadanos was the most voted party) is also having a key role in the Andalucian campaign. Arrimadas was actually born in Jérez de la Frontera although she has lived nearly all her life in Barcelona.
Until a few week ago, the PSOE was ruling in Andalucía with the support of Ciudadanos. Something the centrists now say will not happen again.
Adelante Andalucia (Podemos) could be the PSOE's key to stay in power yet another four years in the southern region.
Official CIS surveys give the PSOE between 45 and 47 seats in the regional parliament (short of the 55 overall majority mark) with a threeway draw between PP, Ciudadanos and Podemos with around 21 regional MPs each.
Extreme-right wing party Vox could obtain its first ever seat in Andalucia if the forecast for an regional MP for Almería province come true.