Bizarre political alliance in Extremadura seems certain

In a unique and frankly bizarre political situation, the traditionally socialist-voting region of Extremadura is set to get itself a conservative premier with the unlikely support of communists and environmentalists.

Despite desperate appeals from Madrid headquarters to support their Socialist Party colleagues, the regional branch of United Left (IU)- the most radical of Spain's mainstream groups- has decided to abstain during the investiture vote next Thursday, which will effectively hand over the regional seat of power to José Antonio Monago of the Popular Party (PP).

In exchange, Monago - still officially just a candidate - on Monday made a speech at the regional assembly that was clearly aimed at pleasing his unexpected IU bedfellow, including greater attention for family dependents, more investment in public education and an ambitious infrastructure plan for the 2011-2015 period.

During his entire address, Monago sought to portray his future administration as one "of people above parties" in which old political divides will be overcome. "Extremadura is neither leftwing nor rightwing," he said. When Socialist assembly members guffawed, Monago retorted: "You laugh because you fueled that division for 30 years. I am committed to ensuring that nobody will laugh again when they hear that sentence."

Monago repeatedly reached out across the aisle to request Socialist and IU support on issues such as agricultural policy. "It would be good if next time the Extremaduran government goes to Brussels the three of us went together."

In the May 22 regional elections, the PP was the most voted party in one of Spain's largest and least affluent regions, after 28 straight years of Socialist rule. But the result left the conservatives just shy of an absolute majority. The Socialists' 30 seats and IU's three together could have beat the PP's 32, but leaders of the Extremaduran IU branch remain adamant in their refusal to do so.

"There's no going back. We're going to abstain in the investiture vote," said Pablo Escobar, regional coordinator, in response to federal headquarters' increasingly earnest requests to follow party rules.

Still, IU leader Cayo Lara refrained from announcing sanctions until after Thursday's vote, as though hoping that his colleagues might have a last-minute change of heart. "We will wait to see what happens during the course of this week to take measures," he said.