Just curious about Spain

[BayCityProgressive]

I really know nothing about Spanish politics. I have been hearing about the Socialist victory there. How far to the left is the Spanish Socialist PArty? Are they comparable to the Democrats or Green party or are they something a little different? I Know the Labour Party in Britian is similar to the Democrats just a little further Left. Is this the case in Spain?

1. I just posted a link in editorials

History of the Spanish Elections
-- a place to start

[swag]

2. I would say that the Spanish Socialists

are a little to the left of our Dems (generally speaking, of course). They are certainly not "socialists" in the demonized American sense of the word. On the other hand, unlike the current powers in Washington, they do seem to understand that the market and government evolved together and that both have their place (see "Reinventing the Bazaar" by John McMillan, Norton Books - it'll also give you good ammo against your free-market-fetishist friends and family.).

From an Asian news report:

Sebastian said the Socialists would not look to undo the main thrust of the PP's economic policies but nevertheless would at least in part shift focus more towards social policy.

In an interview with the Financial Times Sebastian said that the policies of the new administration to be headed by Socialist leader and prime-minister elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero would be "rigorous and orthodox."

He explained: "We are putting in place a rigorous and orthodox economic policy based on budgetary stability, further liberalisation and a big overhaul of the tax system.

"We will be a market-friendly government," he added, but insisted that the new government would seek to act to limit the prevalence of short-term labour contracts, held by around a third of Spanish workers.

Zapatero had been swift to make similar noises as soon as it emerged late Sunday that the Socialists had won the election.

"I want the rules of the game under my government to be very clear and separate the sphere of government from the business world. My message is one of dialogue," he stated.

[MoonRiver]

4. Spain appears to be moving in a progressive direction, and will

find itself once again in the bosom of the EU. I hope to God we will be in a similar situation this November.

[Nicholas_J]

3. There are no real leftist parties in the United States

By European standards atleast. Even the Green Party would be considered a centrist party by the standards of Europe. The SPanish Socialist party would be closest to the Social Democratic Parties in Germany, France and Great Britain.