LOS PARTIDOS TRASNACIONALES EN ESPAÑA. EL CASO DE LOS PARTIDOS RUMANOS / THE TRANSNATIONAL PARTIES IN SPAIN. THE CASE OF THE ROMANIAN PARTIES

Abstract

Based on the studies on the socio-political aspect of transnationality, this research analyzes two exogenously designed political organizations (promoted and coordinated from a supralocal or supra-national scope and space), inspired by the existence of foreign residents in several Spanish municipalities, in this case Romanian nationality. The data come from documental research, statistical analysis of candidacies and electoral results, and from in-depth interviews with representatives of these parties. The paper concludes that the presence of a large group of foreign residents is not, per se, indicators of electoral potential; unless the motivating elements of mobilization are mediated. The electoral argument of sharing the same nationality of origin does not seem enough, even if the political program tries to be transversal, avoiding ideological positions and appealing to generic elements such as common culture and its defense, and the possibility of helping to regenerate politics and democracy in the country of origin. There are important contradictions such as the supralocal and national approach in local logic elections, or the previous distrust of potential voters in Romanian parties based on experience in their country of origin.

Keywords

• Migrants
• Romanians
• transnational politics
• local elections
• new political parties