Loveless but convenient
IT WAS never a match made in heaven. But the liaison between Catalan nationalists and Castilian conservatives, which let Spain's prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, form a government in 1996, is proving surprisingly durable. Despite constant squabbles, the partners have agreed to see through Mr Aznar's first term of office, due to end in 2000. This puts paid to talk of an early election, gives Mr Aznar a chance to consolidate, and increases the chance his conservatives might win again.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Loveless but convenient”
From the January 24th 1998 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Europe
Russian trainee pilots appear to be hunting Ukrainian civilians
Residents of Kherson are dodging murderous drones
Can the good ship Europe weather the Trumpnado?
Tossed by political storms, the continent must dodge a new threat
Spain’s proposed house tax on foreigners will not fix its shortage
Pedro Sánchez will need the opposition’s help to increase supply
A French-sponsored Ukrainian army brigade has been badly botched
The scandal reveals serious weaknesses in Ukraine’s military command
A TV dramatisation of Mussolini’s life inflames Italy
With Giorgia Meloni in power, the fascist past is more relevant than ever
France’s new prime minister is trying to court the left
François Bayrou gambles with Emmanuel Macron’s economic legacy