The PSOE of Lanzarote celebrates 145 years since the creation of the party

The PSOE of Lanzarote has celebrated the 145th anniversary of the creation of the political party in a press release issued this Thursday. “Today, May 2, we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of a historic party, which has always been able to adapt to the needs of a constantly evolving society, anticipating the main challenges and opportunities to achieve a future of progress,” said María Dolores Corujo Berriel, general secretary of the PSOE of Lanzarote and deputy in Congress.

“Throughout its continuous historical journey to this day, the PSOE has played an essential role as a transforming force in the evolution of Spain,” said Corujo. The socialist secretary recalled that the founding of the party began in the Casa Labra bar-restaurant in Madrid on May 2, 1879 by a group of workers and intellectuals, led by the typographer Pablo Iglesias Posse.

Throughout its 145 years of existence, the PSOE has had a significant impact on Spanish politics, with prominent leaders who have left their mark on the country's history, such as Pablo Iglesias, Largo Caballero, Indalecio Prieto, Felipe González, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Pedro Sánchez, among others. Each of them has played an important role in the evolution of the party and in the political history of Spain.

The PSOE joined the Second International, which brought together Marxist socialist parties. In 1888, it held its first congress in Barcelona, where a class struggle strategy was proposed. Although it did not achieve parliamentary representation until 1910, the PSOE participated in elections from 1890. The Republican-Socialist Coalition allowed Pablo Iglesias to obtain a seat as a deputy in the Cortes in 1910.

The PSOE in the current democratic era

During Felipe González's term in the 80s and early 90s, policies were implemented that led to an economic modernization of Spain, including integration into the European Union and the adoption of market policies. In addition, González led Spain's entry into NATO and also maintained an active foreign policy, especially in Latin America. Finally, he introduced important social reforms, such as the divorce law and the law decriminalizing abortion.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero promoted the Organic Law of Equality between Women and Men, a pioneering legislation in terms of gender equality. During his term, the Homosexual Marriage Law was approved, making Spain the third country in the world to legalize marriage between people of the same sex. In addition, Zapatero implemented policies to deal with the global economic crisis of 2008, "including economic stimulus measures and social programs to protect those most affected by the crisis," he added.

The PSOE has highlighted that "Pedro Sánchez has emerged as a great reference in Spanish politics, with an important international recognition, characterized by his progressive approach and his commitment to the economic and social progress of the country and Europe. His leadership has been fundamental in the implementation of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, having obtained 72,000 million euros of European investment, and which is configured as an ambitious project designed to boost the Spanish economy through investment in infrastructure, digitization and ecological transition."

This plan, according to the socialists, "not only seeks to revitalize the economy, but also to address urgent social challenges, such as unemployment and inequality." In addition, they have indicated that Sánchez "has promoted significant advances in social matters, standing out for the approval of laws that promote quality employment, gender equality, the protection of LGTBIQ+ rights and the fight against gender violence. His commitment to inclusion and social justice is reflected in policies aimed at improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable citizens and guaranteeing equal access to basic services such as education and health."

“But without a doubt, the most important value of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party is the work of the thousands of members and supporters, for their commitment, dedication and sacrifice for the benefit of the general interest. It is their collective effort that is the strength of our common project, the socialist project. Their work has not gone, does not go, nor will it go unnoticed, and it is the value of their contribution that makes us take steps towards a better future,” concluded María Dolores Corujo.