give 51%

The result is an endorsement that allows us to analyze presidential development from the moment a new office is completed on a mandate (as well as comparisons with previous presidents).

The specific weight that is attached to value thus creates a clear incentive to take government action aimed at satisfying the great majority.

This usually means avoiding decisions that may harm large sections of the population. However, these decisions are necessary or positive for the country or for a particular community.

It is a very interesting dilemma that always arises in the exercise of power and especially in the work of government.

Political parties and candidates will plan policy programs and priorities that will be addressed by their government measures during the election campaign.

However, many decisions remain in the government that were not part of the campaign or programs. Others, which are made before circumstances, are very different from those previously foreseen.

“Campaña en vero y gobierno en prose”.

This term is usually used to highlight the difference between what you promise during election campaigns to get big benefits and what really comes to your mind during a government event.

In this case, from the point of view of political ethics, there is no doubt: coherence and honesty are fundamental values ​​in the exercise of power. Anything separated from these values ​​is not acceptable. In the event of a change of opinion or priorities, an explanation and acceptance of responsibility must precede.

There are clear examples such as the planned OTAN referendum Felipe Gonzalez before making various decisions about campaign promises.

“Why should government action be a politician useful? Why do people elect them, a mayor of the population or a civic assembly?”

Should politicians be at the service of this person?

Coherence between election campaign and government action is one thing. But what is different is the use of the party and the government. Why should it be useful in your government work? Do people vote for them, for the resident mayor or for the citizens’ council?

Unlike the necessary coherence and honesty that must exist between promise and performance, there is no single valid answer in this case. Everyone has to decide what is on their paper and what their political party is: they represent and govern for all, or they do it for some.

Politics consists in deciding what are the priorities and what is the content of the presented project. It is about setting specific goals to be achieved in the two main areas that a democratic politician has: the development of public policies and the creation of coexistence.

You can choose to propose and implement measures that are very popular with 35% of the population (your voters), but which are fully supported by the other 35% of citizens who think differently.

Shared measures could be applied, or at least not highly recommended, given the vast majority of the population.

These decisions are usually made, always and unfortunately, by applying game theory and electoral analysis of what the costs and benefits of each price are (“give me 51%”). It is not the best or most honest way to take a political stand.

Every government policy must respond to a coherent and consistent model of the country’s project in accordance with the accepted compromises and the represented ideology. And so that you always keep in mind the goal of creating coexistence between citizens.

These decisions are not easy, but they are the ones that determine whether a party or candidate has social and political leadership.

Just a few years ago, when the election was won (except for the current mayor), the candidate called on all political forces and all citizens, and henceforth he undertook to rule over all.

It seems to have gone out of style.

The polarizing populism we live in creates the exact opposite. Every time we think about it the most, on election nights the losers don’t congratulate the winners. And how leaders compromise not to rule for all, even against others.

We have recently seen him in Castile and León, with one exception Carlos Martinezso happy for ganador.

Unfortunately, there is no parallel world that continues to resist this polarizing trend: local politics. Mayors and mayoresses, in their immense mayorship, feel that they are all their elders and that they rule for all their elders. And they always realize that creating coexistence in their cities and neighborhoods must be their main goal.

For this type of attitude, in all studies and areas, local politics, which differ significantly from national and regional politics, are best.

Each party and each candidate must have their own reflection.

There are no political parties like Vox or the current Podemos, whose identity is not defined solely by the defense of determined citizens, until they include in their political position a specific attack on others who are classified as “enemies”.

The goal is to create coexistence It is completely secondary or irrelevant to these parties.

PSOE is the governing party. Our historical document, our raison d’être and our identity are largely shared by those populist, radical and polarizing parties. We are a party with a clear mayoral vocation.

Let us be able to ensure that all citizens feel respected by the PSOE and that the vast majority feel identified and represented by it.

Not all parties bear equal responsibility for the mere difference between the ideological positions of one or the other. We have the courage to live in a country where the majority of citizens feel democratic with social convictions, which coincides with the ideological position of the PSOE.

This means a greater responsibility that must inspire the PSOE to take a government position, creating coexistence and stability and democratic consolidation.

It is not about finding proposals or messages that support 51% of the population to achieve electoral success if we have a coherent and consistent model of the country and a political stance that creates coexistence and prosperity.

*** Juan Lobato is a senator and coach of Hacienda del Estado.