Fifteen years ago, on this very day, thousands of people took to the streets in about 50 Spanish cities to make their protest heard against a society they did not like. The demonstration turned into a camp in many public squares for several weeks, and the movement made the leap to conventional politics. Podemos, Barcelona en Comú, Marea Atlántica, among other parties, captured the discontent that was felt in the streets and managed to bring the movement to power. The hardest part had been achieved. The image of success was represented by Pablo Iglesias, who in a short time had gone from student leader to second vice president of the Spanish government. But just like in the May 68 uprisings in Paris, beneath the cobblestones was not the beach. The leaders of 15-M could not or did not know how to solve the problems that outraged their supporters and, just as they came to power, they were evicted. They lost the support of the people.
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Today, the same discontent that sparked the 15-M mobilization surely exists. Problems such as lack of housing, job insecurity, or the high cost of living are even more pressing. The big difference is that those desires to change things were channeled towards left-wing formations, but after their failed stint in power, now those who capitalize on the discontent are far-right parties. Many of the proposals born in assemblies on political corruption, education, healthcare, or citizen participation have been forgotten. It would be unfair to say that some of these leaderships, like Ada Colau’s in Barcelona, have left no useful legacy or highlight, but in general, the expectations they generated have not been fulfilled by any means.
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The worst thing is the image of division that all the children of 15-M have given. There has been an excess of personalism in leaderships and a lack of generosity. In conclusion, the cause that mobilized 15-M is still very much alive, and the reflection to be made is whether the best way to solve all the pending problems is to take refuge in the far right or in abstention.
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