April 2012

Hello again. I have to say that we in SOHA.ES are pretty frustrated at the results of the elections in Andalucia. Having reached a dead end in our discussions with the PSOE we had been hoping that the PP would win, having promised that changes to the law to end the urban problems once and for all. Whilst they became the largest party in the parliament they failed to win an overall majority. It seems that there were just too many Andalucians who could not bring themselves to vote for the PP. In protest at the failures of the PSOE they decided to vote for the Izquirda Unida (the remnants of the Communist Party). Hence, the IU won 12 seats allowing them to form a majority coalition with the PSOE. So, what does all this mean for the members of SOHA.ES? We should look at this at three levels; the Axarquia, Andalucia and in Spain.

In the Axarquia we see little change. The PSOE have set out their stall in the form of the decree of last June. The faults in that document will persist meaning legal limbo for thousands of home owners, tolerated but not legal. It also means that how the Ayuntamientos produce the way overdue plans general (PGOUs) becomes very significant indeed. Those on protected land that remain protected should be concerned.

For Andalucia the prospects look grim. After more than 30 years in control without pause the Junta looks tired and bereft of ideas. What Andalucia needs is more tourists and more foreign residents bringing their cash to the region. The Junta can but won’t do anything.

For Spain we see years of interminable wrangling over budgets as the PP government tries to force austerity on Andalucia and the Socialist coalition tries to resist. In Spain we have 23% unemployment and 50% youth unemployment. Its very hard to see how Spain is going to get itself out of this mess.