Spain’s Conservative Popular party (PP) came first in Sunday’s EU elections, upping its share of seats in the European parliament from 13 to 22 – with 34 per cent of the vote. The Socialists (PSOE), represented by energy minister Teresa Ribera, avoided the drubbing many had predicted, coming second with 20 seats.
Between them, the PP and PSOE have won enough seats to dominate smaller parties for the duration of this EU parliament
A large gap separates these two frontrunners from smaller left- and right-wing groups, Catalan separatists and a curious new addition to Spain’s political scene. These parties secured between two and six seats in the new EU legislature. The real victor on Sunday, then, was the Spanish establishment. Between them, the PP and PSOE have won enough seats to dominate smaller parties for the duration of this EU parliament.
Still, one new Spanish party managed to achieve some success this weekend by tapping into distrust of the political establishment.
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