The debate was the winner

The debates ahead of December’s general election in Spain got underway on Monday at an event organized by EL PAÍS, which was attended by three of the candidates who have a chance of victory at the upcoming polls. The formula of the head-to-head benefited from three essential new additions in Spain: the participants, who are all new figures in Spanish politics; the digital format of the production and broadcast of the event; and the agility of the way it played out, in stark contrast to the restrictions of previous televised events of this kind.

The image of a debate like the one organized by EL PAÍS is as important as the words that are spoken”

There can be little doubt that the first victor was the debate itself, and as such, the millions of citizens who watched it live. Thanks to this event, the internet has definitively found its place in this country’s election campaigns, and is transforming them: things will never be the same again. A door to the future of political communication has been opened, in line with the far-reaching changes that Spanish society is experiencing.

Pedro Sánchez, Albert Rivera and Pablo Iglesias explained the reasons why they have come this far and openly debated their motives for seeking power. They did so in strong terms, without any mutual concessions, and conscious of the fact that the battle for votes is being waged in terms of the differences between them as candidates. They are fresh figures in politics, albeit representing different sectors.

The image presented in a debate like the one organized by EL PAÍS is as important as the words that are spoken. The three participants had the chance to explain themselves before voters and to make clear that, whatever happens to them at the polls on December 20, they are undeniable leaders for the immediate future of this country.

Debates where candidates meet directly constitute the best formula to decide a campaign that is very different from previous ones

The three were able to fully inhabit the stage and transmit an image of political renewal as a result of the absence of the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, who was invited to the debate but declined to attend. Hours earlier, the Popular Party candidate for re-election had said that he only goes to “important” debates, in allusion to the head-to-head planned for the end of the campaign between him and the Socialist Party candidate, Pedro Sánchez. The PP does not have the kind of solid support that it needs to employ this argument. The lectern left empty by Rajoy has saved him the cost of having to respond to the attacks that would have been aimed at him directly, in exchange for maintaining an excessively rearguard attitude against what is being viewed as a vanguard of young politicians.

Amid the volatility of the voting intention revealed by the polls, citizens need the contending parties, and as such their leaders, to clarify their proposals and ideas. The traditional party rallies aimed at those who know how they are going to vote will contribute little, and it’s doubtful that the proliferation of appearances by politicians on TV entertainment shows will serve to help decide who to vote for. Debates where candidates meet directly constitute the best formula to decide on the course of a campaign that is very different to the ones that preceded other general elections.

English version by Simon Hunter.