Feb 24 • 04:30 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

Recovering the Countryside

The article discusses the increasing divide between urban and rural areas in Spain and the challenges faced by the agricultural sector amid a significant protest by farmers in Madrid.

The article emphasizes the growing gap between urban and rural areas in Spain, highlighting the need for leftist political parties to address the concerns of rural communities alongside urban vulnerabilities. This issue has reached critical proportions, becoming a fundamental aspect of the socio-political landscape. Recently, a large protest by farmers and ranchers took place in Madrid, marking the first major tractor demonstration of 2026, which underscored the unanimous dissent against the EU-Mercosur agreement and the perceived neglect of agricultural interests by major sector organizations like ASAJA, UPA, and COAG. This protest reflects widespread frustration within the agricultural sector as farmers face multiple challenges, including cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), reduced subsidies, rising costs, and bureaucratic burdens. The article suggests that in light of current geopolitical circumstances, Europe must prioritize trade negotiations, yet these often disproportionately impact farmers, exacerbating already present economic strains. It urges a reevaluation of governmental support structures to ensure that rural areas are not left behind in political discourse. In conclusion, the article advocates for a comprehensive approach that includes strong representation of rural interests in policy discussions, cautioning against a sole focus on urban issues by leftist parties. It stresses the importance of integrating rural perspectives into broader socio-economic strategies to ensure equitable development across Spain's diverse regions.

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