The debate in parliament was closely watched on social networks, and the Podemos leader then made his opposition to the proposed government even more clear by leaping from his seat to congratulate a Catalan ally who also spoke against it with a bear-hug and a kiss on the lips.
That image, of Iglesias kissing the Catalan representative Xavier Domènech, was both celebrated and mocked in Twitter memes, as his supporters rejoiced at the sight of the two men kissing directly in front of deputies from the conservative People’s Party — which recently tried and failed to ban gay marriage in Spain — and his detractors evoked comparisons to Soviet-era kisses between the leaders of communist states.
Principles in politics are hard to come by these days. This example stands in stark contrast to the capitulation of other self proclaimed parties of the left in Greece and Ireland. Perhaps the term 'left' is inappropriate to describe the ideological orientation of Syriza. and Sinn Fein. The populist label would be a more accurate description for parties that are essentially driven by the desire for power over all else. Only in Ireland can a party claim to be both for and against austerity and get away with it!
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