Jacobin Radio Long Reads: Pedro Sanchez and Spanish Politics w/ Eoghan Gilmartin (Part 2)
Oct 31, 2025
Eoghan Gilmartin, an Irish journalist based in Madrid and co-host of the Sobremesa podcast, delves into the complex landscape of Spanish politics under Pedro Sánchez. He discusses Sánchez's confidence in leading the PSOE into the next elections and the coalition's early achievements in social policies. Gilmartin highlights the tensions with Unidas Podemos, corruption scandals affecting the PSOE, and Sánchez's bold stance on Gaza and NATO. He also critiques the challenges facing left unity and reflects on future electoral scenarios as Spain navigates a fragmented political arena.
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Crisis Intervention Won Re-Election
- The Sanchez coalition protected living standards with emergency state interventions during pandemic and energy shocks.
- These measures, like the energy price cap and transport cuts, were decisive for re-election and social peace.
Major Labor Reform Reduced Precarity
- The 2022 labor reform rebalanced bargaining and slashed temporary contracts, improving job stability for millions.
- It restricted temporary hires and strengthened sanctions, marking a major rollback of neoliberal labor rules.
Housing Policy Fell Short
- The coalition avoided confronting corporate power on housing, producing a watered-down law and no major social housing build.
- Rent controls had exemptions and depended on local implementation, limiting impact in major cities.
