The Spanish political scene is focused on the upcoming regional elections in Castile and León, scheduled for March 15. The main rivals, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco of the People's Party and Luis Tudanca of PSOE, are clashing over issues of fighting depopulation, supporting agriculture, and the housing crisis. The debate is also moving to the European level, where the European Parliament is proposing radical tax cuts and simplification of bureaucracy in construction.

Regional elections on March 15

The main political forces in Spain are concentrating their efforts in Castile and León, where the campaign focuses on demographic problems.

Fighting rural depopulation

Local groups such as Soria ¡YA! are putting pressure on PP and PSOE, demanding effective implementation of aid for depopulating regions.

European construction reform

The European Parliament is calling for a reduction in VAT and a cut in bureaucracy to speed up housing construction and lower prices.

Conflict over TV debates

A dispute over procedures and the drawing of speaking turns has led to a stalemate between PSOE and the regional broadcaster in Castile and León.

The campaign ahead of the regional elections in Castile and León scheduled for March 15 is entering a decisive phase, becoming a testing ground for nationwide party leaders. Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, representing the conservative People's Party, builds his message on stability and management experience, receiving strong support from PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Meanwhile, socialist Luis Tudanca (PSOE) is betting on radical change, offering ambitious social plans, including a free first year of university and extensive support packages for the housing market. The polling situation remains dynamic, although some surveys indicate a slight lead for the right, which Tudanca publicly questions, claiming that his formation is currently ahead in the race to the regional parliament. A key problem for the region remains demographic depopulation, known as "Empty Spain". The local group Soria ¡YA! sharply criticizes both main parties for the lack of real results in combating this phenomenon. In response, the candidates are outbidding each other with promises aimed at the agricultural sector and rural residents. Mañueco emphasizes investments in infrastructure and support for business in the province of Soria, while Tudanca promises a strategic plan for rural education so that young people do not have to leave home as early as age 12. Simultaneously, in the background of the campaign, a dispute over the organization of television debates is resonating, after PSOE refused to sign an agreement with the regional broadcaster due to the lack of a random draw for speaking order. Castile and León is the largest region in Spain by area, which for decades has been struggling with one of the most serious problems of rural depopulation in Europe. Parallel to the local clashes, significant impulses are coming from the European Parliament, which is debating a resolution on the housing crisis affecting the entire Union. Proposals include introducing a super-reduced rate of VAT for the construction and renovation of housing and shortening bureaucratic processes to a maximum of 60 days. Spain, which lacks nearly one in ten homes across the entire EU, is particularly interested in these solutions. Statements by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez suggest that the central government intends to use these initiatives to strengthen its offer for young voters, who are struggling with high rental prices and a lack of creditworthiness. The whole picture is complemented by geopolitical issues, including trade tensions with China and negotiations regarding the status of Gibraltar after Brexit. „Creed en las encuestas a medias; no estamos empate, vamos por delante” (Believe in the polls halfway; we are not tied, we are ahead) — Luis Tudanca

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