A Spanish lesson - Political map redrawn

Spain’s general election has created circumstances that may have a particular relevance to us over the coming months. Essentially, the country’s political map was redrawn and the monopoly of the old, established parties has been, for the moment at least, sidelined.

Outgoing prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party (PP) was the clear winner, with 123 seats, but it lost its majority in the 350-seat chamber. If PP wants to return to power, it will have to compromise and establish alliances it once thought distasteful,if not indigestible.

Glass half-full Spaniards see this as an opportunity to leaven hard, life-changing economic policies. Glass half-empty Spaniards see this as a recipe for instability.