In 1912, poet Antonio Machado warned about "the two Spains." In 2020, his prophetic words are as true as ever. Some simple-minded folks think this is a battle of left and right, but it is much more like the Blues and Greens of the Byzantine Empire ( https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/blue-versus-green-rocking-the-byzantine-empire-113325928/). 1/5

The core of Side A is the Socialist Party. It defends the un-socialist principle of regional inequalities. It is joined by populist party UP, which is on the left but borrows right-wing ideas. Its allies are populist nationalists (regionalists), which often veer right. 2/5

What binds Side A together is the idea that there is something profoundly wrong with Spain, which can only be solved by constitutional changes. This is an item of faith for UP and the nationalists. The Socialists accept the discourse while being vague on the details. 3/5

The core of Side B is the conservative PP and the liberal Cs. They want to keep Spain's institutions intact to create conditions for the private sector to bloom. Populist right party Vox is an uneasy ally. It promotes constitutional changes, but to promote a unitary state. 4/5

Socialist PM Pedro Sánchez loves the division. He hopes Vox's rise will scare centrists & moderates into Side A. IMHO, the best solution is for Cs to turn into a genuine centrist party, promoting sensible deals between A & B, while sidelining populists of all stripes. 5/5