Results breakdown of the 2015 Spanish local elections (Asturias)
The 2015 Spanish local elections were held on 24 May 2015. This article focuses on the results specifically within the autonomous community of Asturias. These elections determined the composition of the municipal councils (Ayuntamientos) in each of Asturias's 78 municipalities.
Overall Context:
The 2015 local elections were significant as they occurred in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and a period of austerity measures implemented by both the national and regional governments. This context led to increased social unrest and the rise of new political forces challenging the established two-party system (People's Party (PP) and Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)).
Key Political Parties Involved:
- Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE): Traditionally a dominant force in Asturian politics.
- People's Party (PP): The main center-right opposition party.
- United Left (IU): A coalition of left-wing parties, often in alliance with other smaller groups.
- Podemos: A new left-wing party that emerged following the 15-M movement and gained significant momentum leading up to the elections.
- Foro Asturias (FAC): A regionalist party formed by former members of the PP.
General Trends and Outcomes:
The PSOE generally maintained its position as the strongest party in Asturias in terms of total councillors and mayorships won. However, they often required coalition agreements with other parties to govern effectively.
The PP experienced a decline in support, reflecting the national trend. They lost ground in many municipalities.
United Left generally held onto its support base, and in some areas even increased its influence, particularly where they were able to capitalize on the decline of the traditional parties.
Podemos, participating in local elections for the first time in many municipalities (often under different local coalition names), made a significant impact, gaining councillors and becoming a crucial player in coalition negotiations.
Foro Asturias played a more localized role, with its influence concentrated in certain areas where it had a strong existing presence. They generally experienced mixed results, maintaining some strongholds but losing ground elsewhere.
Notable Municipalities:
- Oviedo: The capital of Asturias. Results in Oviedo were closely watched as a bellwether for the overall political mood.
- Gijón: The largest city in Asturias. The elections in Gijón often reflected broader trends in the industrial heartland of the region.
- Avilés: Another major industrial center.
Specific Results:
Detailed municipality-by-municipality results are needed for a comprehensive breakdown. Such information would include:
- Number of councillors elected per party in each municipality.
- Final mayoral appointments (which often depend on post-election agreements).
- Percentage of votes received by each party in each municipality.
(Note: Due to the dynamic nature of post-election agreements and the vast number of municipalities, providing specific councillor counts and mayoral appointments without citing specific official sources would be impractical and potentially inaccurate. Consult official election result websites and reliable news archives for detailed municipality-level data.)
Significance:
The 2015 Asturian local elections reflected the broader political changes occurring in Spain, marked by a decline in the dominance of the traditional parties and the rise of new political forces. The need for coalition agreements became increasingly common, signifying a more fragmented and complex political landscape. These results had implications for regional governance and set the stage for subsequent elections.