Spain: A four-party country?

In light of the extraordinary rise of Podemos, it has been clear for some time that the Spanish general elections of 2015 (or January 2016) will put an end to the country's traditional two-party system. But the recent poll surge of another contender, the centrist party Ciudadanos, suggests Spain may be on course to become a four-party country. Open Europe's Southern Europe expert Vincenzo Scarpetta introduces Ciudadanos and looks at the potential implications of its 'irruption' on the Spanish national political scene.

• Primary Source

Wikipedia: Citizens (Spanish political party) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_%28Spanish_political_party%29

El País, 09.03.15: Latest polls ahead of general elections show four parties practically tied http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/03/09/inenglish/1425896209_922788.html

El País, 06.03.15: How Ciudadanos took on Podemos at their own digital game http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/03/05/inenglish/1425573337_792747.html?rel=rosEP

The Local.es, 09.03.15: Spanish politics now a four horse race:poll http://www.thelocal.es/20150309/goodbye-to-spains-two-party-system

ESO: Background information: Podemos, a new type of resistance http://www.europeansources.info/record/podemos-a-new-type-of-resistance/

BBC News, 14.03.15: Spain's anti-corruption parties shake up old politics http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31852713

ESO: Background information: Nearly two years later, anti-corruption promises have yet to become a reality http://www.europeansources.info/record/nearly-two-years-later-anti-corruption-promises-have-yet-to-become-a-reality/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 17.03.15: Is Spain heading for a four party system? Assessing the state of play ahead of a series of key Spanish elections http://bit.ly/1x9qZNC

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make It?, 01.04.15: The Andalusian Test https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/lasse-thomassen/andalusian-test

---