Spain\u2019s economic situation improved strongly over the last few years of Mr. Rajoy\u2019s premiership (2011-2018), but voters were unhappy with the political establishment, and incidents of corruption were unfortunately real.<\/p>\n
Mr. Sanchez, by contrast, is a far-left socialist, and will now have to consolidate his fragile position by catering to the Marxist ideology of Podemos on one side and the radicalism of Catalan nationalists on the other.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the new prime minister is\u00a0cultivating Brussels<\/a>\u00a0with pro-European rhetoric, creating the expectation of drastic improvements in Spain. Mr. Sanchez aspires to play a much stronger European role than his predecessors. He has received recognition on the European Union level by comforting language and a vow to continue\u00a0Mr. Rajoy\u2019s fiscal consolidation strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, a closer look at Mr. Sanchez\u2019s actions shows a disturbing push to consolidate power \u2013 both for ideological reasons, and also to satisfy the desires of his Marxist-leaning and separatist allies.<\/p>\n Showing his radical anti-Christian position, the prime minister refused \u2013 for the first time in Spanish history \u2013 to take the oath of office with a bible or a cross. Even for an atheist, this was an unnecessary demonstration, striking an ideological rather than a simply secular attitude.<\/p>\n Another of his first acts was to replace the head of RTVE, Spain\u2019s public broadcaster, with a personality agreeable to Podemos. This will pave the way for news coverage of the government with a strong pro-left slant. One of Mr. Sanchez\u2019s close associates was also installed at the\u00a0Centro de Investigaciones Sociologicas<\/i>\u00a0(CIS), an influential state-owned institute for public opinion polling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These are clear signs of a strong internal power grab from the left, and certainly not proof of a healthy democratic self-confidence about the government\u2019s intended policies. Optimism about Mr. Sanchez\u2019s \u201cpro-EU\u201d declarations should not blind European observers to these disquieting developments.<\/p>\n As indicated by his recent meeting with Catalan leader Quim Torra, Prime Minister Sanchez will also be forced to court the separatist movements in Catalonia with an opportunistic policy, as he needs their support.<\/p>\n Pedro Sanchez appears to believe that his youthful vocation to change and lead is irresistible. Youthful elan is certainly good, but it is likely to fail when hitched to an outdated socialist belief in the efficacy of government planning and intervention.<\/p>\n Both in terms of reviving the economy and improving social cohesion, experience has shown that these methods do not work \u2013 except sometimes as short-term fixes that bring adverse unintended consequences in the long run.<\/p>\nPower grab<\/h2>\n
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Optimism about Mr. Sanchez should not blind European observers to clear signs of an internal power grab<\/p>\n<\/div>\nPolarizing force<\/h2>\n