Spain is divided into seventeen 'autonomous regions', each of which has their own president and local parliament. They also have their own local civil service. Although this may sound a bit like 'local councils' in the UK, it is actually very different, as the local parliaments in Spain have far more power over a much more widely reaching scope of activities than in the UK. Nowhere is this more evident than with taxes, where collection and distribution authority lies at a local level. The strength of power at a local level has also given rise to what in the UK would be described as 'nepotism and cronyism'. ie, rewarding your family and friends when you get into power, by assigning them lucrative control over civil and political roles within the local region. So while at a national level, power in Spanish government has tended to consist of fragile coalitions, divergent interests, hung parliaments and opposing views, at a local level power has been handed to a much narrower group of individuals.
'Dodgy' Economic Growth Makes Impartial Decision Making Difficult
On the face of it, the surge in Spain's economic growth over the last twenty years would seem to suggest the relatively new political processes have succeeded in their objectives to bring prosperity and stability. Whereas in reality, it's the old story of the strongest and wealthiest regions becoming even stronger and wealthier compared to the rest of Spain. The Valencian and Alicante regions have done comparitvely well, but this has been primarily fuelled by tourism and the boom in property sales to non-Spanish citizens. With legislative powers and land building control delegated to local governmental authorities, the inevitable result was the creation of laws that would benefit the few in control, at the expense of improved social justice and the full development of a 'free market' 'The 'land grab' law is a perfect example of how partial and short term decision making can have disastrous effects on both the economy and the confidence of the region's inhabitants that political power in the region is being administered fairly and impartially. The reality is, however, there is little chance of tackling the local government problems in the short term. Interests are too well entrenched and money still talks. With Spanish law still in development and land ownership in a confused state, the disastrous results from local governmental decisions were not fully foreseen. Attempts to 'do the right thing' have, therefore, resulted in a worsening of the situation over uncertainty, as these decisions have set legal precedents that only perhaps lawyers could have predicted. So it would be unfair to say that all the region's problems are down to 'self interest'. One of the key aspects of regional politics in Spain, is that many honest and well-meaning officials have 'naively' tried to help out, only to end up throwing fuel on the fire. Again, the problem here is that the local governmental infrastructure and legislature are genuinely still in their infancy, when compared to many other countries within Europe.
One Step Back But Two Steps Forward
Despite the set backs in some aspects of regional politics, Javea continues to prosper and areas such as utility supplies, policing, education and medical provision have all benefited. The relatively affluent expatriates have brought disposable income that has allowed the local Spanish community to improve their standard of living. Simultaneously, their presence has boosted the political landscape, as the expatriates want to be heard and are very public in their approach. They are not afraid to speak out against decisions and policies laid down by the regional government. They protest to an extent that many locals are only just beginning to realise is possible. The older generations in Spain still remember regimes that did not encourage public protest and when 5,000 protesters arrive at the promenade at Javea to show their very pubic opposition to the expansion of Javea's Port, their eyes widen, uncertain as to whether such public voicing of opinion wass wise or even allowed. The expats, however, are accustomed to standing up for their rights in Britain, France, Germany or Scandinavia, and their lack of fear to offer up opposing views is actually helping the speed that local Spanish families are becoming aware of their own ability to influence their future in Spain's young democracy.
