Vox offers talks on a Senate understanding

Santiago Abascal, leader of Vox, offered on Monday, 19 October, to negotiate 'some understanding' with the Partido Popular (PP) that would shield the Senate from the pact between the PSOE and Frente Amplio to run on joint lists in the general election of 29 November. He made the offer in a statement issued after a meeting of Vox's National Executive Committee and took no questions from journalists. He did not spell out which formula his party would consider. Some outlets, citing party sources, reported that Vox could stand aside in some constituencies to avoid splitting the right-wing vote, but Abascal did not confirm this. El Confidencial described two possible formulas: Vox not fielding candidates in certain constituencies, or a '2+1' arrangement in which the PP includes one Vox member on its own list.

The left alliance behind the offer

The PSOE and Frente Amplio agreed to contest the Senate together under the name 'Senado de Progreso'. Sources differ on the scale: eldiario.es reported that the lists would run in 45 provinces, while EL MUNDO put the figure at 43 and said the whole progressive space except Podemos would stand on a single ballot. Coalition registration closed at midnight on Friday, 16 October, but parties have until 26 October to register their lists and candidacies for the Cortes Generales. El Confidencial recalled that the PP won an absolute majority in the Senate in 2023, and that the PSOE alliance aims to prevent a repeat. Abascal argued that the left alliance requires sacrifices from the opposition.

“The alliance of Sánchez with the far left demands sacrifices from the opposition parties.”

Abascal said Vox maintains its willingness to reach an understanding that protects the Senate from the deals Sánchez has struck with the far left. Asked by no one, he chose a recorded statement over press questions, and no agreement on the right's Senate lists has been reached yet.

Abascal's attack on Sánchez

Abascal accused Sánchez of wanting to 'steal' the elections and said the prime minister was ready to use coercion and violence to influence the vote. He pointed to a peaceful encampment in Puerta del Sol over housing and a general strike called by the unions for 11 November as examples. He also referred to an appeal by the Ombudsman against the provisional suspension of voting rights for naturalised citizens under the so-called 'grandchildren law', suggesting Sánchez might use the Constitutional Court to alter the electoral roll. Abascal urged voters to respond in large numbers at the ballot box.

“Sánchez wants to steal these elections, and the only way to prevent it is a massive response at the ballot box.”

Key dates

The timeline runs from the announcement of the left alliance to the general election. The list registration deadline on 26 October falls before the 11 November strike and the vote on 29 November. The PP, represented by Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Alicia García, criticised the PSOE coalition as a 'coalition of losers'.