Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Spain’s PSOE faces questions over gains for ordinary workers
The PSOE has led Spain’s governments for about eight and a half years, with support from several parties to its left.
The piece assesses the period from 2018 to 2026, noting that Spain’s economy grew, but gains in income per person lagged some euro-area countries.
It also says the tax burden rose from 39% to 43% of GDP, while the average budget deficit remained 3.1% outside the pandemic years.
Using a metalworker and a Barcelona hotel cleaner as examples, it argues their income after inflation and taxes fell by 2% to 3%.
For renters, it says housing costs cut their buying power by about 8% in the example it gives.
The piece links pressure on wages and rents partly to Catalonia gaining more than 700,000 residents, which it says contributed to economic growth.
It argues the left is leaning more on warnings about the right than on its record, as Spain approaches elections on the 29th; the piece does not specify what will happen after the vote.
An opinion article says ordinary workers in Spain have not shared in the gains of economic growth under PSOE-led governments from 2018 to 2026.
It estimates that two workers’ real incomes were 2% to 3% lower in 2026 than in 2018.
For workers renting a modest 45-square-metre home in Sant Ildefons, Cornellà, it estimates purchasing power fell by about 8%.
The article says collective agreements raised the metal worker’s gross pay in line with inflation, while the hotel housekeeper’s pay rose by less than inflation.
It argues that higher taxes and rising rents have weakened the gains for lower-income groups.
- Who
- Ordinary workers in Spain, including a metal worker and a hotel housekeeper.
- What
- An opinion article assesses whether economic growth under PSOE-led governments improved ordinary workers’ living standards.
- When
- The article reviews the period from 2018 to 2026.
- Where
- Spain, with a specific example from Sant Ildefons in Cornellà, Catalonia.
- Why
- To assess whether the government’s economic and social record benefited ordinary workers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The article begins its assessment of PSOE-led governments and workers’ outcomes.
The article says the two workers’ real incomes fell by 2% to 3%.
The article estimates that a renting worker’s purchasing power in the example fell by about 8%.
- Period assessed
- 2018–2026
- Workers’ real income change
- Down 2% to 3%
- Renters’ purchasing power change
- Down about 8%
- Example home
- 45 m² in Sant Ildefons, Cornellà
- Tax pressure
- Rose from 39% to 43% of GDP