A STRONG OPPOSITION

By Jason Moore WHY is it that political parties after a general election defeat go into meltdown and start fighting amongst themselves? The Conservative Party in Britain are only now starting to look as if they could form a government after being in the political wilderness since 1997. In Spain, the Partido Popular is busy fighting amongst themselves both nationally and to a lesser extent. locally. The centre-right Partido Popular lost the last general elections and since then they have been busy fighting themselves instead of taking the rather fragile government of Rodriguez Zapatero to task over their mis-handling of the economy. While the Spanish economy contracts and the country faces some of its biggest economic challenges of a decade the opposition are in disarray. Perhaps the time has come for leader Mariano Rajoy to step-down after two general election defeats. After saying that he will stay and fight any rivals for his leadership he has no option but to go on, which must be music for Zapatero´s ears. In the Balearics, leader Rosa Estaras is facing Mayor of Calvia Carlos Delgado in the race for the presidency of the PP in the islands. Estaras is expected to win but there are splits in the party. All will be decided this summer but in the meantime a rather failing Balearic government will be allowed to continue almost untouched. Spain needs a strong opposition and so does the Balearics. These islands are being run by a coalition of many parties of different colours. The Partido Popular must settle their difference soon or otherwise they risk being in the wilderness for many years.