In Spain, none of the fifteen leading politicians managed to receive a positive rating from citizens. Even the most popular among them fell short of the desired mark. Emiliano García-Page received the highest score—4.6, while Irene Montero had the lowest at 2.4. These results came as little surprise: nearly half of Spaniards do not feel represented by any party, and only a small proportion believe that politicians truly care about the views of ordinary people.
According to the latest polls, Spain is experiencing one of the deepest crises of political representation among developed countries. As political polarization intensifies, public dissatisfaction continues to grow. In this context, party leader ratings become especially revealing.
Trust deficit rating
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez received the highest share of zero ratings—41% of respondents gave him this score. For Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the figure stood at 33%. Interestingly, the highest scores went to those politicians who provoke the least rejection from supporters of rival parties, but at the same time, do not enjoy significant backing within their own ranks.
For example, Aragón president Jorge Azcón turned out to be a favorite among voters of PSOE, Sumar, and Podemos, but is less popular among his own party’s supporters. The situation is similar for García-Page, who is preferred by voters of PP and Vox, but ranks last among socialists.
Intra-party differences
Within the PSOE, Sánchez’s leadership is unquestioned: his average score among party members is 7.5, significantly higher than his colleagues. In the PP, the situation is different: Feijóo scores 7.2, but Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla and José Luis Martínez-Almeida are close behind. However, Isabel Díaz Ayuso leads them all by a wide margin, earning a score of 7.9.
Ayuso leads not only among PP supporters. She outpaces Feijóo across all demographic and social groups: by gender, age, income level, profession, size of locality, and even by autonomous communities. Her advantage is especially pronounced among Vox voters: while Feijóo receives an average score of 4 from them, Ayuso gets a solid 5.
An exportable phenomenon
The poll results refute the widespread belief that the Ayuso phenomenon is limited to Madrid. Her popularity extends far beyond the region, making her a prominent figure nationwide. She is becoming the main asset of the PP, not only in its rivalry with the Socialists but also in the fight for votes from the radical right.
As the political landscape becomes increasingly fragmented and competition between the PP and Vox intensifies, it is Ayuso who demonstrates the greatest ability to unite and retain the electorate. She is becoming a key figure in the party’s strategy for the coming years.
Crisis of confidence
The general atmosphere of distrust toward politicians persists. Most citizens do not see them as their representatives, and the level of disillusionment continues to rise. In this environment, even small shifts in leader rankings can significantly impact the political balance.
While some politicians are losing support even within their own ranks, others, like Ayuso, manage to expand their influence beyond their traditional voter base. This could become a decisive factor in future elections and coalition building.
If you didn’t know, Isabel Díaz Ayuso has served as the president of the autonomous community of Madrid since 2019. She is known for her tough stance on many issues and often draws the attention of national media. During her leadership, Ayuso has become one of the most prominent figures in Spanish politics, and her governing style sparks both admiration and criticism. Within the Partido Popular, she is considered one of the main contenders for future leadership. Her popularity among voters of different regions and ages makes her a unique presence on Spain’s political stage.
