The latest Metroscopia electoral barometer, once again, reflects the first position in estimation on valid vote to Podemos. In hypothetical elections that would take place tomorrow, Pablo Iglesias' formation would obtain 20.4% in direct voting intention, followed by the Popular Party (12.8%) and the PSOE (12.3%).
There is countless talk about the Podemos phenomenon. The greatest scholars, both from the press and Political Science, analyze the characteristics that have led a precocious formation to the top of the political landscape. The economic situation, political disaffection, the flight of voters or the bankruptcy of bipartisanship, have been variables to understand its success.
But the most remarkable in my opinion, is the appearance of young people on the political scene. Tired of being labeled as lazy, partygoers, uneducated, creatures raised under the blankets of a Mediterranean and southern culture, they decided to take to the streets and claim their share of political prominence. Pablo Iglesias and his group of learned university students channeled the demands of young people, institutionalized the revolution, created the organizational structure and transformed complaints into proposals. Podemos is not understood without the youth awakening, without slogans loaded with protest and anger, without their "they don't represent us" and their "yes we can". Thanks to the deliberative assemblies, the debate forums, citizen participation or the open candidacies, they have contributed to consolidate themselves as the first force in intention of direct vote among 18 and 44 years, according to the CIS.
But -there always has to be exceptions, and- in Lanzarote the dynamic is different. Since we witnessed the disturbing landing of Podemos on the island, they have done nothing but disappoint us. The first circle was formed with great expectations of citizen attraction.
Driven by the Podemos current at the national level, it was logical to think that the guarantees of success were greater. On the contrary, the members of the assemblies and the visible heads of these, have not caught on in the island territory.
If the fundamental pillar is the young people and their marches for change, if the foundation of the phenomenon is a youth tired of the status quo, if Podemos was born as a channel to be transmitter of their demands, then, why its failure on the island?. The foundations created have been made without respecting the neuralgic point of the organization: youth.
In Lanzarote, the unemployment figure among the population of 20 and 30 years, is around 2,500 people of the 14,415 of the global computation, according to the latest data from the Island Council. A youth unemployment rate of the highest in the regional and national territory. The youth Lanzarote, hit by the few job opportunities and the lack of diversification cultural, is isolated to an island monotony that degrades the critical and participatory impetus.
Podemos, could well be the way out for many of these boys disappointed with the current policies. The antipathy that produces the actions behind the backs of the conejera youth by the "political caciquismo", smooths the possibilities of capture. However, the circles created by Podemos Lanzarote, have not aroused the charm necessary to revive participation and deliberation. Many proposals packaged to the empty, many trails of the elite of the organization at the national level, but few measures concrete for the island.
Until the circles of Podemos Lanzarote, fail to gather a considerable number of young people, the possibilities of prospering and succeeding vanish. It is not worth following the current created by their Madrid counterparts, with putting on the facade of revolutionaries and at the same time dreaming of armchairs and positions. You have to think about politics, act focused on the island and its citizens. Leave aside the opportunism that has done so much harm to the parties traditional and show off the charm that has led them to success.
Pablo Iglesias was afraid of the intoxication of the brand. Of the turncoats and the climbers, of the interested and carotas. Podemos is a great brand subject to franchises, to rules established and a fixed marketing. But sometimes the franchises do not work, the franchisees go on their own and the business ends up closing. In Lanzarote it has not wanted, or has not been able to reach the expected glory. Podemos Lanzarote is not, does not capture and does not move anything. Another different thing is the hope that they arrive in time.
By Ayoze Corujo Hernández
