The Spanish campaign becomes frenetic: Sánchez throws his wife into the campaign and dreams of a comeback

MADRID.– Two weeks remain until the elections in Spain, and at the headquarters of the Socialist Party (PSOE) nobody speaks out loud anymore about the Urda train accident. They look at the polls and dream of a historic comeback. When many had already written off their chances, Pedro Sánchez endures and hopes to become the most-voted candidate on November 29. The Socialists have cut into the gap and remain in a position to fight the Popular Party (PP) for first place at the ballot box, although they are still far from obtaining a majority that would allow them to form a new government. It was a frenetic week in Spanish politics, one that began with Santiago Abascal's appearance on the television program La Revuelta and continued with the first general strike in 14 years. The no-show by the Vox leader at the one-on-one interview he had scheduled with YouTuber Jordi Wild, whose content is consumed by millions of young people, put the far right back on the agenda, though this time because of the negative impact of his sudden change of heart. A renewed Sánchez leads a campaign rally in Palma de MallorcaJavier Fernández - EUROPA PRESS DPAMeanwhile, the Socialists made first lady Begoña Gómez debut as a speaker this Thursday at a campaign event in Seville and, dreaming of a historic comeback in the Brazilian style, the PSOE had even convinced Brazilian President Lula da Silva to land in Spain to first take part in a bilateral meeting at La Moncloa and then serve as the main speaker at a Socialist rally alongside Sánchez, but that appointment was canceled on Saturday due to the guest's hoarseness. César Calderón, director of the consultancy Red Lines, considered that the most significant thing about this campaign week was the first lady's appearance at a political event. "For the president's wife to take the floor at a rally is unusual, especially when she is awaiting trial for influence peddling and embezzlement. Sánchez thus turns a judicial problem into a banner, with the 'lawfare' narrative that is well known in Argentina," he explained. For months, Sánchez's political communication strategy has diversified with targeted messages. His image has multiplied across social media to reach younger audiences and, with his wife's entry onto the scene, the Spanish president aims to mobilize women, a constituency closer to the PSOE given other parties' denial of gender violence, such as Vox. Lula da Silva speaks during a meeting in Manila, Philippines. Lula will make a stop in Spain to help SánchezROLEX DELA PENA - POOLPositive pollsDespite the Urda train accident, with 69 dead and hundreds injured, the PSOE remains in second place with favorable projections. A poll published in the newspaper El País indicates that the Popular Party would obtain 31.1% of the vote, while the Socialists would be at around 29.8%. The conservatives, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, have lost ground in recent weeks —according to the polls— and, in contrast, Vox's votes are increasing, placing it between 18% and 19%. First lady Begoña Gómez joined the PSOE campaignJORGE GUERRERO - AFP"That the PSOE holds above 26% after the accident has an explanation: Spain votes in blocs, and fear of Vox concentrates the progressive vote for the Socialists. Moreover, much of its leakage goes to abstention rather than to the PP, and that can be recovered during the campaign. The government quickly closed the Urda crisis with the resignation of the Transport Minister," Calderón explained. The director of Red Lines drew a comparison with what happened in the last Argentine presidential elections. "The comparison is what happened with Sergio Massa in 2023: he won the first round despite inflation, because fear of (Javier) Milei weighed more than the wear and tear. But then he lost the runoff. In Spain, even if the PSOE came in first (which as of today would be quite a surprise), whoever adds up 176 seats will govern. Today that figure is only within reach of the PP and Vox," he said. His consultancy's "votometer," which analyzes dozens of electoral polls, placed the PP 4 to 5 percentage points ahead of the PSOE, with Vox at around 19%. "Not even the most wildly favorable polls for the Socialists show a sufficient majority for the left to keep governing, even if all the nationalist and separatist deputies are added to them," Calderón added. Vox leader Santiago Abascal takes selfies with supporters at a campaign rally in LogroñoCESAR MANSO - AFPWhile the PSOE dreams of a comeback, Abascal was one of the big protagonists of the campaign this week. After appearing on La Revuelta, the most-watched program on Spanish television, the far-right leader had come out strengthened by host David Broncano's questions. But hours later, his party decided to cancel the interview for the podcast The Wild Project, hosted by Jordi Wild. He was the only candidate to miss the appointment with the popular YouTuber, who called out his absence in a video that has already surpassed 45 million views. "Among young men, the segment where Vox was growing the most, this has been a tsunami that could cost him dearly," Calderón warned. The coming days will be filled with more interviews, campaign events, judicial developments, and two presidential debates. There is still much left to play before reaching the ballot box. By Iván Ruiz