The leader of Spain's center-right People's Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has declared readiness to enter into specific agreements with the Vox party. While governing alone remains the priority, the situation in Extremadura and Aragon necessitates dialogue. Meanwhile, Castilla y León is preparing for elections scheduled for March 15. Election debates have been limited to the three main candidates, sparking protests from smaller regional parties.

Readiness for Pacts with Vox

PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo declares willingness for specific agreements with Vox, abandoning the setting of rigid red lines in regional negotiations.

Regional Election Date

Elections in the Castilla y León region will take place on March 15, 2026, which will define the balance of power on the Spanish right.

Controversy Over Debates

The Electoral Board allowed only PP, PSOE, and Vox to participate in debates, excluding smaller regional parties, sparking a wave of appeals and protests.

The political situation in Spain is becoming increasingly tense ahead of the upcoming regional elections in Castilla y León, scheduled for March 15, 2026. The leader of the People's Party (PP), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has outlined his party's strategy towards the rising right-wing formation Vox in a series of speeches and interviews. Feijóo emphasized that while his goal is to govern without a coalition, PP must be consistent with the election results and does not rule out "specific agreements" with the party of Santiago Abascal. At the same time, he indicated that the only "red line" for his party remains Bildu and separatist forces operating outside constitutional frameworks. The elections in Castilla y León are seen as a key barometer of sentiment ahead of national elections. They coincide with difficult negotiations in Extremadura and Aragón, where PP candidates, such as María Guardiola, face tough conditions set by Vox. Abascal's party demands entry into regional governments and specific changes in immigration and social policy. The situation is further complicated by the Electoral Board's decision to limit television debates (scheduled for March 5 and 10) exclusively to representatives of the three largest forces: PP, PSOE, and Vox. Regional formations, such as Soria ¡Ya! and UPL, which were excluded from the debates, have already announced they will challenge these decisions. Spain's political system was based on a duopoly of PP and PSOE for decades. The emergence of the Vox party in 2013 and its rapid rise in support after the 2018 Andalusia elections definitively ended the era of majority governments, forcing complicated coalition processes. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the socialist circle categorically reject the possibility of supporting PP candidates by abstaining, which could protect the center-right from dependence on Vox. The "No es no" (no means no) strategy aims to burden Feijóo with full responsibility for any alliances with the radical right. However, concern is growing within the People's Party itself; regional barons are pressuring the leader to take control of negotiations and avoid mistakes from previous campaigns that cost the party electoral momentum. PP: 34, PSOE: 26, Vox: 18, Sumar: 9 citizens are eligible to vote in the Castilla y León region „Whoever wants a party without borders and principles, let them pact with Sánchez. We have our principles and our given word.” — Alberto Núñez Feijóo

Mentioned People

  • Alberto Núñez Feijóo — President of the People's Party, aiming to take power in Spain.
  • Santiago Abascal — Leader of the Vox party, setting tough coalition conditions for the People's Party.
  • Pedro Sánchez — Prime Minister of Spain and leader of the socialists, refusing to help PP in blocking Vox.