Cun Chaoyan

Yunnan University

Abstract：

Since the 21st century, Spain's party political landscape has undergone significant transformation, gradually shifting from a two-party system dominated by the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and the People's Party to a new phase characterized by multi-party competition and the normalization of coalition politics. The impact of the global financial crisis and shifts in social structures have propelled the rise of emerging political forces, diminished the influence of traditional mainstream parties, and led to increasing diversification within the party system. This paper analyzes the evolution of Spain's party system as its central thread, tracing the historical trajectory from a relatively stable two-party dominance model to the normalization of multiparty competition. It explores the practical challenges encountered during this transition and examines the strategic adjustments made by major parties to adapt to the new landscape. The article further analyzes the implications of this party system evolution for domestic governance models and the broader European political landscape.

Key Words：

Spain; Party politics; political evolution; two-Party system; multiparty coalition governance