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In upcoming votes for the European Union's most indebted countries, the left will have to battle both the forces of austerity and a resurgent xenophobic right. The backdrop for elections in Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Ireland is one of deep economic crisis originally ignited by the American financial collapse of 2007-08. The response of the EU is massive cutbacks in government spending, widespread layoffs, and double-digit tax hikes on consumers.

On Tuesday Madrid’s newly elected mayor, Manuela Carmena, overturned the eviction orders for 70 families living in social housing and safeguarded more than 2,000 similar rental contracts. The move is the latest by the administration of Manuela Carmena, a former Communist, to protect housing in a country where tens of thousands of families have lost their homes. Over 50,000 mortgage holders were evicted in 2013 and 2014 in Spain.

In response to the wave of demonstrations over austerity programs and bank bailouts that have swept across Spain, a new law took effect on July 1, 2015 that criminalizes demonstrations in front of some government agencies and public buildings, and includes stiff fines for documenting the police response. The so-called Citizen Security Law makes it illegal to disseminate pictures, video and other content deemed “damaging” to Spain’s police and security forces.

How Spain's 15M movement went from occupying city squares to city halls-without compromising its independence. An important part of progressives' recent electoral success can be traced to a strong network of locally organized 'social centers' across Spain. These are spaces where community members can interact and share ideas, whether that means organizing a demonstration, taking Zumba classes or checking out library book.

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On May 24th, the two parties that have ruled Spain since the late 1970s were dealt yet another substantial blow, this time in regional and municipal elections. They were defeated in the main by independent political forces rooted in prominent local struggles and committed to developing a coalition between new or smaller Left parties and community organizations around a common platform; one developed through radical democratic and grassroots participation.

Charismatic and tough as nails, the two ideologically opposite women are leading the showdown for the job of mayor of Madrid, in one of the most closely watched electoral battles to emerge from the political and social transformation gripping Spain.

Exciting video with English captions from 15M Movement in Spain with lessons for USA activists.