Spain’s struggling multi-party system is here to stay

Subject

Spain's party system.

Significance

As Spain heads towards its fourth general election in four years (in November), a fragmented party system has failed to live up to expectations. New parties -- Ciudadanos, Unidas Podemos and Vox -- are not burdened by old, often corrupt party structures, but with notable exceptions at regional and local level they have been unable to contribute positively to central government formation.

Impacts

• Political discourse will become increasingly acrimonious due to mistrust and some ill feeling among party leaders.
• Devising policy and a vision for Spain's future will be hampered by arguments over who is to blame for the current situation.
• Such risks to socioeconomic stability as unemployment, healthcare and pensions sustainability will remain largely unattended to.