Political tensions are running high in Aragón as regional president Jorge Azcón has called early elections, attributing the decision not to the region’s geographical position between Madrid and Barcelona, but to a desire to break free from the shadow of central authority and bring long-awaited stability to Aragón. At the outset of the campaign, Azcón made it clear that his goal is to not only maintain the course of development but also to bring about changes he believes are impossible under the current Spanish government.
From the very first moments of his speech, Azcón spoke with passion, unleashing criticism on the Ministry of Transport and Pedro Sánchez personally. He expressed particular outrage over recent rail incidents, including the tragedy on the AVE line in Adamuz, where, according to the president, government negligence and improvisation resulted in loss of life. Recalling the 46 victims, Azcón did not hide his anger, accusing Madrid of inaction and incompetence.
His speech also included rebukes directed at Óscar Puente as well as accusations against Vox, whom he charged with blocking the budget and refusing to take responsibility. Azcón made it clear: if compromise is impossible, he is ready to go to the polls and lead the region alone rather than depend on those he believes are holding Aragón back.
Financial dispute
The issue of regional financing has also become central to the scandal. Azcón sharply criticized Pilar Alegría (PSOE), accusing her of defending ‘Sanchism’ interests at Aragón’s expense. According to him, the new financial agreement between Sánchez and Junqueras is unfair and puts the region at a disadvantage due to its low population density and high infrastructure costs.
The president of Aragón did not hide his disappointment: “Madrid has forgotten us again, and nobody cares about our problems.” He stressed that the fight for fair allocation of funds is a matter of survival for the region, where every kilometer of road and every school costs more than in densely populated areas.
Azcón promised that he would not allow Aragón to be forced into conditions that, in his view, benefit only Catalonia and Madrid. He stated that he is ready for negotiations, but will not make concessions when it comes to the future of the region’s residents.
Power and responsibility
Relations with Vox remain tense. Azcón openly doubts whether the party is ready to work effectively in government, and does not rule out forming a cabinet solely from members of his own party if necessary. However, he does not close the door to dialogue if it would benefit Aragón.
Attracting investment is among the top priorities. Azcón recalled the massive project to build a gigafactory, which he says could bring the region billions of euros and thousands of new jobs. At the same time, he accused the central authorities of delaying energy supply tenders and being sluggish in developing infrastructure.
The president did not ignore social issues either. In healthcare, he identified the main problem as a shortage of medical personnel. To address this, he promised to increase the number of places in medical faculties and to offer doctors additional financial incentives. In education, Azcón advocated for the development of all forms of schooling—from public to private—but acknowledged that many challenges remain.
Housing and the future
In housing policy, Azcón focused on new construction: he promised to commission a thousand new public apartments each year and sharply criticized the housing price regulation law enacted in Madrid. In his view, only new builds can truly address the issue, not administrative restrictions.
Concluding his address, the president of Aragón emphasized his intention to assemble a strong team and bring in new experts to manage key departments. His ambition is not just to hold on to power, but to make the region a model for all of Spain. According to Azcón, a new chapter is beginning in Aragón, and the stakes in this game are higher than ever.
