Valencia's PP Government Strikes Budget Deal with Vox, Embedding 'National Priority' into 2026 Spending
The conservative government of Juanfran Pérez Llorca has agreed to Vox's demands, including a controversial 'national priority' clause, to secure approval of the 2026 regional budget in Valencia.
The Valencian government, led by the People's Party's (PP) Juanfran Pérez Llorca, has reached an agreement with the far-right Vox party to pass the 2026 regional budget. The pact, announced by Vox's parliamentary spokesperson José María Llanos, is built on three pillars: a significant tax reduction, measures to address the housing crisis, and the implementation of 'national priority' in the allocation of social aid and housing access.
The Announcement and Political Fallout
The deal was notably unveiled by Vox, not the PP-led regional government. Llanos confirmed the agreement after a parliamentary board meeting that adjusted the legislative calendar to accommodate the budget's approval. The project will be presented on Friday, May 29, with final approval expected in a plenary session on July 21 or 22.
The budgets of the Valencian Government in the Valencian Community are announced by the Vox spokesperson. This is the reality and the disgrace that we Valencians live.
The opposition has reacted sharply. The central government's delegate, Pilar Bernabé, criticized the PP for being dictated to by Vox leader Santiago Abascal from Madrid. Meanwhile, Diana Morant, leader of the regional socialists, demanded full transparency on the concessions made to maintain power.
The 'National Priority' and Other Measures
The 'national priority' concept, which Vox has pushed in other regions like Extremadura and Aragón, will prioritize Spanish citizens in social aid and housing. Llanos stated the agreement also includes measures to combat "illegal, massive, and uncontrolled immigration" and fraud in accessing public aid, including a new service to control census fraud and housing overcrowding.
We are going to articulate it in social aid and in access to housing, both buying and renting, exactly the same as what was agreed in Extremadura and Aragón.
The deal also promises a deep fiscal reform to reduce the tax burden on families and workers, alongside further cuts to subsidies for business associations and trade unions, which Vox considers unnecessary ideological spending.
National Party Dynamics
Elías Bendodo, the PP's national deputy secretary for regional policy, endorsed the agreement from Madrid, stating the party agrees with the 'national priority' principle. He framed it as "common sense" to prioritize those who work and contribute, while deflecting questions about the timing of a regional PP congress to ratify Pérez Llorca's leadership.
We agree that the national priority is for those who work, contribute, and collaborate, that is common sense. We haven't signed anything new.
Budget Timeline
The parliamentary process is set to begin immediately. The budget project will be registered this Friday, followed by departmental hearings from June 2 to 4. The final debate and vote are scheduled for July 21-22, extending the parliamentary session beyond its original July 3 end date.
- Vox spokesperson José María Llanos announces the budget agreement after a parliamentary board meeting.
- The Valencian government (Consell) is scheduled to approve the budget project.
- Regional ministers (consellers) begin presenting their departmental budgets in parliament.
- Final parliamentary debate and vote on the 2026 budget begins.
- Expected final approval of the 2026 budget by the Valencian parliament (Les Corts).
The agreement solidifies Vox's influence over the Valencian government's policy direction, continuing a pattern of PP-Vox cooperation seen across several Spanish autonomous communities.
