The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (Spanish: Partido Socialista Obrero Español, PSOE ) is a social-democratic political party in Spain. Its political position is Centre-left. The PSOE is the former ruling party of Spain, until beaten in the elections of November 2011 and the second oldest, exceeded only by the Partido Carlista, founded in 1833.
The PSOE has had strong ties with the General Union of Workers (UGT), a Spanish trade union. For decades, UGT membership was a requirement for PSOE membership. During the 1980s, though, UGT criticised the economic policies of the PSOE, even calling for a general strike on December 14, 1988.
The PSOE recently lost the general elections on 20 November 2011. The PSOE is a full member of the Party of European Socialists and the Socialist International. In the European Parliament, the PSOE's 21 MEPs sit in the Socialists and Democrats European parliamentary group.
Read more about Spanish Socialist Workers' Party: Ideology, Early History (1879 - 1974), Modern History (1974 - Present Day), Electoral History, Terms, Notable Members
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