MOSCOW (Sputnik), Daria Chernyshova — The results of the local and regional elections in Spain put an end to the bipartisan system and open the way to a new national policy framework, a Spanish lawmaker from the left-wing Podemos party told Sputnik Tuesday.
"Bipartisanship is over in Spain… The new balance of power and parties that results from these elections will be reflected on the political priorities adopted from now on," Tania Gonzalez Penas told Sputnik.
The two-party system of the People's Party (PP) and their traditional opponent, the Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has dominated Spanish politics since the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975.
Gonzalez Penas stressed that thanks to bipartisanship, a large segment of the population traditionally would have swung from one party to another when they felt disillusioned — alternating between each party — when they realized the promises did not correspond to way policy was implemented.
"That is, there has been a lack of real representation of the people in the parties that have governed. Now it is clear what their preference is…they are for the change," Gonzalez Penas said.
She added that Podemos's success in the vote is due to the poor way PP and PSOE handled the economic crisis, creating high unemployment rates, the ongoing impoverishment of the population, coupled with multiple cases of corruption in both parties.
Sunday's elections took place in 13 of Spain's 17 regions and in more than 8,000 towns and cities.
