Will Spain's state-funded artists who backed Zapatero ever apologize?
State-funded artists who campaigned for Zapatero's vote: will they apologize? The debate suggests they won't, with Miguel Bosé as a possible exception.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Will the artists who asked for votes for Zapatero apologize?
The question is resurfacing in skeptical circles: those artists who appeared in 2008 campaign ads asking for votes for the PSOE (Spain's Socialist Party), many of them recipients of public grants, will they apologize now that the former prime minister is under judicial investigation? The prevailing answer is a resounding no.
The argument goes that these artists have maintained a symbiotic relationship with the public purse, securing contracts from both PP and PSOE-run city councils. The strategy described is simple: first criticize the PP, then ask for votes for the PSOE, and then reap contracts in regions governed by both parties. A double allegiance which, if true, would explain the current silence.
Miguel Bosé, the possible exception
Among the names circulating, Miguel Bosé appears as the only one who might break the silence. But even that is not certain. The rest, it is said, have no incentive to change course as long as the grants keep flowing. The absence of social pressure – there are no significant protests or boycotts – reinforces the impunity.
No consequences in sight
The outrage seems confined to small circles. As long as the grants are not at risk, no change of stance is expected. The prediction, with reservations, is that the silence will hold, unless some artist decides to make a gesture for show. But it would not be a sincere apology, rather a tactical move.
The question is resurfacing in skeptical circles: those artists who appeared in 2008 campaign ads asking for votes for the PSOE (Spain's Socialist Party), many of them recipients of public grants, will they apologize now that the former prime minister is under judicial investigation? The prevailing answer is a resounding no.
The argument goes that these artists have maintained a symbiotic relationship with the public purse, securing contracts from both PP and PSOE-run city councils. The strategy described is simple: first criticize the PP, then ask for votes for the PSOE, and then reap contracts in regions governed by both parties. A double allegiance which, if true, would explain the current silence.
Miguel Bosé, the possible exception
Among the names circulating, Miguel Bosé appears as the only one who might break the silence. But even that is not certain. The rest, it is said, have no incentive to change course as long as the grants keep flowing. The absence of social pressure – there are no significant protests or boycotts – reinforces the impunity.
No consequences in sight
The outrage seems confined to small circles. As long as the grants are not at risk, no change of stance is expected. The prediction, with reservations, is that the silence will hold, unless some artist decides to make a gesture for show. But it would not be a sincere apology, rather a tactical move.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (18 replies).
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