Spain’s Senate election: left unites in 47 districts

Spain’s left-wing parties are joining forces in 47 Senate constituencies for the 29 November election, even though voters can pick candidates from different parties. PSOE, Frente Amplio and other left-wing groups have agreed to run together. PP and Vox are still considering whether to do the same.

Three choices, four seats

In each mainland constituency, voters choose up to three candidates to fill four Senate seats. They can pick names from one party or alliance, or spread their choices across different groups. Spain calls this an open-list ballot.

In practice, voters have usually backed candidates from the same party. That has typically given three seats to the leading party and one to the runner-up. But in the election on 23 July 2023, PSOE and PP took two seats each in Huelva, Valencia, Badajoz and Cáceres.

Seats already held before the vote

Another 58 senators are chosen by regional parliaments rather than directly by voters. Of those seats, PP already holds 23, PSOE 19 and Vox five.

That leaves PP needing at least 111 seats in the election to secure an absolute Senate majority. PSOE would need 125.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com