Talking Politics in Spain
Handle election talk at work, check your voting rights at the town hall and keep the peace at a family dinner in Spain.
Spanish elections are held on Sundays, citizens can be randomly called to staff a mesa electoral, and EU residents registered on the census can vote in the municipales. Politics comes up at lunch and around the family table, but many people prefer to steer clear. These cards follow a newcomer through election week: colleagues at lunch, a question at the town hall and a tense dinner with the in-laws.
- 1
La verdad, intento no meterme en política.
Honestly, I try to stay out of politics.
- 2
Es un tema delicado.
That's a touchy subject.
- 3
Mejor no hablemos de política en la mesa.
Let's not talk politics at the table.
- 4
Cada uno tiene su opinión.
Everyone has their own opinion.
- 5
¿Vas a ir a votar el domingo?
Are you going to vote on Sunday?
- 6
Todavía no sé a quién votar.
I still don't know who to vote for.
- 7
¿Los extranjeros pueden votar en las municipales?
Can foreigners vote in the local elections?
- 8
Tienes que estar inscrito en el censo electoral.
You have to be on the electoral roll.
- 9
Me ha tocado estar en una mesa electoral.
I've been picked to staff a polling station.
- 10
¿Me puedo librar?
Can I get out of it?
- 11
Depende de cómo lo mires.
It depends how you look at it.
- 12
No estoy nada de acuerdo.
I don't agree at all.
- 13
Entiendo lo que dices, pero...
I see your point, but...
- 14
Todos prometen lo mismo y luego no cambia nada.
They all promise the same thing and then nothing changes.
- 15
La participación fue muy baja.
Turnout was really low.
- 16
Va a estar muy reñido.
It's going to be really close.
- 17
Seguramente habrá que pactar.
They'll probably have to make a deal.
- 18
¿Cambiamos de tema, mejor?
Shall we change the subject?
- 19
No intento convencer a nadie.
I'm not trying to convince anyone.
- 20
Si no estás, puedes votar por correo.
If you're away, you can vote by post.