Spain's PSOE slumps as forum fears four more years of Sánchez

PSOE sinks and the forum warns: watch out for abstainers

The early election call after the collapse of the housing decrees has unleashed a mix of euphoria and antiestéticar. The right is breathing easier, but the dread of an upset on election day hangs over every message. "Let's not count our chickens before they hatch," one participant warns, because "we may end up with another 4 years of Sánchez." The nightmare, they say, is gone. But not entirely.

PSOE is leaving and the right breathes easy

The news of the early election has been received like a liberation. "Thank god the nightmare is over," sums up one of the most repeated messages. The dominant tone is relief: PSOE is leaving power and the right celebrates it without reservations. "It's going to be so good to have the right in power, god," writes the author of the opening message, kicking things off with a mix of sarcasm and hope.

The enthusiasm is not unanimous. Some remind others that polls don't always come true and that the electorate can swing at the last minute. "May god grant that the abstainers have at least a shred of common sense on election day," reads one comment, because "otherwise we could be in for a scare big enough to kill us." The euphoria, then, comes with palpable nervousness.

Antiestéticar of the abstainer and the hidden vote

The great antiestéticar running through the conversation is that the left may once again mobilize its voters while the right gets complacent. Abstention is seen as the silent enemy. "Let's not count our chickens before they hatch," another message insists, calling for caution and refusing to take the change for granted. The memory of unexpected results weighs heavily.

The discussion drifts toward the role of disillusioned voters. Some speculate that part of the demobilized left-wing electorate may stay home. If that happens, the swing would be smaller than expected. Uncertainty mixes with the conviction that PSOE "lives in Narnia," as the expression goes in the thread, and that its defeat is inevitable.

The economic legacy: potholes, trains and housing

The economy takes up a good part of the messages. The outgoing government's management is harshly criticized: "Country totally destroyed," one comment claims, comparing its time in power to a hurricane. The infrastructure metaphor keeps coming up: "We'll be riding on dirt roads like in the 1800s," one laments, referring to the state of roads and trains.

Housing emerges as the hottest issue. The early election came after the collapse of the housing decrees, and the conversation mocks the broken promises. "He's going to give you free houses, hahaha," one message sneers, accusing the government of creating false expectations. The conclusion drawn is that housing policy has been a failure.

An uncertain future and a final warning

With the right one step away from power, the conversation turns to warnings. "You're going to hit a pothole, that's for sure... and on the train too," reads one comment, as a warning that structural problems won't be solved right away. The initial euphoria is tempered by the recognition that the country carries deep shortcomings.

The end of the thread offers no firm conclusions. The nightmare is gone, but the antiestéticar that it may return persists. "Oh god, what a nightmare, good riddance, phew," one message sums up the relief, while others eye the ballot boxes warily. Uncertainty about the election result remains the common thread running through every contribution.