Differences between PP and PSOE
First of all, PP and PSOE are the acronyms for Partido Popular and Partido Socialista Obrero Español respectively, two political parties that in Spain represent the center-right and the center-left. In this sense, there are notable differences between the philosophical conceptions of both parties and consequently, their approaches go in different directions. Therefore, in this article we will present a brief description of each of these political parties, as well as the most important differences between them.
PP (People’s Party)
We can say that the Popular Party is a center-right Spanish conservative political party founded in 1989, with its current name, replacing the Popular Alliance, a federation of right-wing parties that later became a political party. The PP is centered on the values of Christian humanism, which defends the fulfillment of man, woman and humanity within a framework of Christian principles.
On the other hand, it is one of the largest parties in Spain, with approximately 865,000 members. Currently, the PP is the presidential party in Spain, with Mariano Rajoy as president who also maintains a simple majority in the Congress of Deputies, has an absolute majority in the Senate and also governs in five autonomous communities.
Finally, the Popular Party approaches politics from a liberal point of view (European liberal), establishing itself in the free self-regulation of the market that rejects state interventionism and based on criteria of Spanish nationalism, conservatism, liberalism and Christian democracy.
PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers Party)
Fundamentally, the Partido Socialista Obrero Español is a center-left Spanish political party founded in 1879, defined as a working class, socialist, and Marxist party until the Extraordinary Congress of 1979, the year in which it renounced Marxism as an ideological definition. The PSOE is centered on republican and social-democratic values that seek a universal welfare state and collective bargaining within the framework of a liberal democracy.
Thus, it is another of the majority parties in Spain, which has approximately 190,000 members. Currently, the PSOE is the main parliamentary opposition party in Spain, presiding over the governments of autonomous communities such as Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, the Valencian Community, Extremadura, the Balearic Islands and Castilla-La Mancha.
To conclude, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party approaches politics from a social justice point of view that seeks social welfare by mediating towards the less favored classes and seeking a certain control by the state in the protection of citizens.
As can be seen, the differences between the PP (Popular Party) and the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers Party) are as follows:
| People’s Party | Spanish Socialist Worker’s Party |
| On the political spectrum, he sits on the center-right. | On the political spectrum, he is on the center-left. |
| It is centered on the values of Christian humanism. | It is centered on republican and social-democratic values. |
| Approaches politics from a liberal point of view (European liberal), | Approaches politics from a point of view of social justice. |
| It is based on criteria of Spanish nationalism, conservatism, liberalism and Christian democracy. | It is based on criteria of social democracy, progressivism and progressive liberalism. |