Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
A clear guide to Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in Spain: its history, social democracy ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Spain
- Founded
- 1879
- Position
- Centre-left
- Leader
- Pedro Sánchez
- Headquarters
- Madrid
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) is Spain's main centre-left party and its oldest active party. It has governed since 2018 under Pedro Sánchez, currently in a minority coalition with Sumar that depends on Basque, Catalan and other regional parties in parliament.
It has been in power longer than any other party since Spain's return to democracy.
History
The PSOE was founded in 1879 by Pablo Iglesias Posse. It took part in governments of the Second Republic and was banned under Franco, regaining legal status in 1977. It abandoned Marxism in 1979.
Felipe González governed from 1982 to 1996, taking Spain into the European Community and NATO. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero governed from 2004 to 2011 and legalised same-sex marriage. Sánchez came to power through a no-confidence vote in 2018 and has formed governments after the 2019 and 2023 elections. The party has been hit since 2025 by corruption investigations involving two former organisation secretaries, José Luis Ábalos and Santos Cerdán.
Economic Policy
The PSOE has raised the minimum wage substantially, introduced a minimum income scheme, reformed labour law to limit temporary contracts and introduced temporary taxes on banks and energy companies. It supports public pensions indexed to inflation.
Foreign Policy
The PSOE is strongly pro-European. It supports NATO and Ukraine, though Sánchez has resisted the alliance's higher defence spending targets, and Spain recognised Palestine in 2024.
Where They Stand
- Has raised the minimum wage and limited temporary contracts
- Supports temporary taxes on banks and energy companies
- Passed the amnesty law for Catalan independence leaders
- Backs LGBT rights, euthanasia and gender equality laws
- Recognised the State of Palestine in 2024
Electoral Record
The PSOE won 31.7 percent and 121 seats in 2023, second to the PP, but formed a government with support from regional parties. It won 30.2 percent in the 2024 European election.
Position on the Political Compass
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party sits on the left-leaning side on economics and is moderate on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Felipe González
Prime Minister, 1982 to 1996
Took Spain into the European Community and modernised the welfare state.
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Prime Minister, 2004 to 2011
Legalised same-sex marriage and withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq.
Pedro Sánchez
Prime Minister since 2018
Has led the party since 2017 and governed in coalition since 2020.
Sources and Further Reading
- Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitepsoe.es
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Spain political test to see how your views compare with Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and the other parties.
Take the Spain Test
Social Policy
The party is socially liberal. Its governments legalised same-sex marriage in 2005 and euthanasia in 2021, and passed laws on gender equality and transgender rights. It passed the 2024 amnesty law for those involved in the Catalan independence process.