Jorge Azcón Confirms First Coalition Talks with Vox in Aragon

In Aragon, one of Spain's autonomous communities, the process of forming a new government is beginning following regional elections. The acting president, Jorge Azcón of the conservative People's Party (PP), confirmed that he is holding initial talks with the far-right party Vox. The goal is to form a coalition that ensures a stable majority in the local parliament. Azcón emphasized his desire for an agreement that is "global, without noise, and conducted at a slow pace," a clear signal of his pursuit of methodical and discreet negotiations aimed at avoiding public tensions. This strategy stands in stark contrast to the situation in another region, Extremadura, where coalition talks between the same parties have reached a stalemate. Azcón appears to be learning from these difficulties, trying to develop a more durable model of cooperation. A key element of the negotiation backdrop is the anticipation of election results in another region, Castile and León. Sources indicate that the final shape and timing of an agreement in Aragon may depend on the outcome of that vote, giving the entire process a nationwide, strategic dimension. The People's Party (PP) and Vox have played a key role in Spanish regional politics for years. Following the 2023 local and regional elections, in many autonomous communities, neither party secured an outright majority, forcing coalitions or agreements. Vox, a party founded in 2013, has become a significant right-wing force, entering various government configurations with the PP at the regional level, which has often sparked controversy and internal tensions within the center-right camp. The dynamics of negotiations between these parties are being closely watched, as they may herald future power arrangements at the national level. Azcón, who is also the PP leader in Aragon, is thus striving not only for power in the region but also to develop a model of cooperation that could be replicated in other parts of the country or influence the party's national strategy. His emphasis on the stability and comprehensiveness of the agreement aims to prevent a repeat of problems from the previous term or from other regions where coalitions have been turbulent.„global, sin ruido y a fuego lento” — Jorge Azcón The success or failure of these talks will have significance not only for the future of Aragon but also for Spain's national political landscape, testing the durability of the alliance between the mainstream right and the far right.