The peaceful atmosphere in Lanzarote and the current personal and political situation do not seem likely to influence the decision of Spain’s Prime Minister and leader of the Socialist Party (PSOE), Pedro Sánchez, regarding early elections. This belief is shared by over 75 per cent of the thousands of readers who participated in a large-scale survey conducted by this newspaper over the summer.

Political Climate and Reader Sentiment

While it has been customary for this paper to conduct weekly surveys for many years, the country’s turbulent political climate has warranted the continuation of a poll during a period when people are generally more relaxed and reflective, detached from the usual seasonal tensions. More than 13,000 individuals took part in this survey, eager not only to vote but also to share their opinions, some anonymously criticising editorial lines that they felt were unsatisfactory for various reasons.

Results of the Poll

According to the results, 75.76 per cent of voters are convinced that the current president, who has spent a significant and reflective time in Lanzarote, has no intention of calling early elections, which are technically scheduled for 2027. This is despite the lack of General State Budgets and the political gossip, even from outlets more aligned with the PSOE, suggesting that if the government fails to approve the budget before the end of the year, a swift call for citizens to vote might be forthcoming.

Only 20.71 per cent of participants believe that Sánchez might surprise everyone by calling elections, which, according to all polls, he would likely lose. However, there remains uncertainty about whether the right-wing factions, specifically the Popular Party (PP) and VOX, could secure an absolute majority needed to govern without reverting to negotiations for a new investiture pact with Sánchez.

The Prime Minister’s Dilemma

It is clear that the strain from the recent challenging months is evident on the president’s face. Ultimately, he is the only one who truly knows what is to come, along with perhaps his closest confidant, former president and Lanzarote resident José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who appears to be his go-to for most matters.