TAWOMG - The Rain in Spain

Dear Friends,

Yesterday general elections were held in Spain and the voters decided to grant the conservative Partido Popular a solid majority in parliament. It was the worst result for the Socialist Party since the return to democracy. Not really a surprise, considering the miserable economic situation and more than 20% unemployment rate.

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In 2008 I wrote here that I was glad that the socialists had won the elections. As you know, I'm not usually a supporter of leftish parties. The Spanish politics is very particular, though. The main conservative party is a direct successor of franquismo. Even if most hardliners have died or retired, it still represents the far right in Spain, and in many cases it is not possible to agree with their political agenda. On top of it, the first term of José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was not a bad one, and in many areas he adopted modern ideas and brought fresh air into society. But his second term was a disaster. He proved to be far too weak to lead a country during a crisis. In fact, it is a lot easier to be a good president or prime minister with tail wind.

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When the crisis began in 2008 many said that it was the end of an era for capitalism and for conservative policies. Time is proving that idea wrong. Voters are ejecting failing politicians, independently of their political affiliation. The socialists lost power in Portugal and Spain recently. In Italy it was a conservative government that fell, only to be replaced by another conservative one. People want answers to their problems, to have the feeling that somebody is doing something somewhere, independently to where they position themselves in the political arch. Probably more heads will fall in the months to come.

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Last Friday, in the 89th anniversary of Proust's death, I started to read "Monsieur Proust", by Céleste Albaret, his maid during his final years. I'm enjoying it a lot. After reading the classical biographies available, it is a pleasure to read something unpretentious, the memories of a clever woman that knew the writer in his intimacy. Céleste refused to talk for almost 60 years. She changed her mind in her 80's. In her opinion too many people had said things about Proust that were either not true, or at least not entirely true. She wanted to say what she knew before she also died. Good that she did so, because the book is worth a reading.

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Not all is the depressing economical situation in Europe. Thanks God there is also art, literature and other refuges where to wait the storm is over.

Wish you a nice week,

Maurício