At the headquarters of the Partido Popular (PP) in Madrid, María Guardiola was greeted with applause and a warm welcome following her election victory in Extremadura. Despite the celebratory mood, Guardiola was unable to secure the absolute majority she had hoped for. Now, she faces the challenge of seeking support from Vox to form a new regional government.
The day after the Extremadura elections, the party’s National Directorate gathered at PP’s central office. The main topic was Guardiola’s victory and the need for negotiations with Vox. Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo appealed to the far-right not to obstruct the government formation process. He emphasized the importance of avoiding past mistakes and not viewing the PP as an adversary.
Party leaders’ response
Feijóo supported Guardiola’s decision to call early elections, noting that Extremadura residents had expressed a desire for stable leadership. He stressed that the success of Vox and the PP was not at the expense of either party, but rather reflected a failure of the socialists’ strategy. According to Feijóo, attempts to scare voters over Vox’s rise only strengthened both parties.
The president of Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, voiced concern about the growing popularity of Vox in the region. He noted it is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve an absolute majority as the far right gains momentum. Moreno believes that only by including Vox in governance can voters truly assess their capabilities and sense of responsibility.
Prospects for Negotiations
Moreno also attributed part of Vox’s success to the Socialists, stressing that as long as Pedro Sánchez remains in power, the far right will continue to grow. He noted that Vox is now drawing votes not only from the PP but also from PSOE, especially in the major cities of Extremadura and Andalusia, where the party is emerging as the second strongest force.
María Guardiola, upon arrival at the PP headquarters, was greeted with applause and congratulatory messages. She emphasized the importance of stability and strong government for Extremadura, avoiding direct comments about the upcoming negotiations with Vox. According to her, it is essential to listen carefully to the views of the region’s residents.
Seat Distribution
In the election, Guardiola secured 29 seats in the regional parliament—one more than in 2023 but still four short of an absolute majority. To remain at the head of the government, she needs support from Vox, which increased its representation from five to eleven deputies.
Extremadura became the first region to open the new electoral cycle, which will continue in February with elections in Aragón. The President of Aragón, Jorge Azcón, does not rule out talks with Vox, but insists on adherence to the law and rejects any demands that fall outside the powers of the regional government. He emphasizes that the PP intends to work for the benefit of all citizens, not just its supporters.
PP Strategy and the Role of Vox
Ascon cited the example of cleaning riverbeds, noting that such measures should only be carried out with the permission of the relevant authorities. In his view, despite the increase in mandates, Vox remains a minority party in the region.
The PP continues to pursue a policy of curbing the influence of the far-right, striving to prevent their dominance in regional governments. At the same time, the party acknowledges the need for dialogue and compromise to ensure stability and effective governance.
