Political intrigue is stirring again in Aragón: seven years after their first face-off at the polls, Jorge Azcón and Pilar Alegría are preparing for a new showdown. In 2019, they competed in the Zaragoza municipal elections, where the socialist Alegría won more votes, but Azcón claimed the mayor’s seat thanks to unexpected support from Ciudadanos and Vox. Their paths diverged afterwards: Alegría moved into national politics, while Azcón turned to regional government.
Now, in 2026, their political paths are crossing once more. The upcoming election in Aragón isn’t just a personal rematch, but a crucial test for Spain’s two main parties — PP and PSOE. Azcón, the current regional president, is aiming for a historic result: for the first time, his party could stay in power for two consecutive terms. But he can’t secure an absolute majority alone and will need allies. The options—either Vox or the regional Aragón Existe movement—make the campaign even more unpredictable.
High Stakes and Political Scenarios
Azcón is betting on the region’s economic achievements. Over the past two years, Aragón has attracted billions of euros in investment, including from giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Stellantis. With a population of just over one million, the region is becoming a key hub for new technologies and business. The 2026 outlook is optimistic too: the economy is expected to grow by nearly 3%. Azcón never misses a chance to remind voters, insisting that it was his team who laid the groundwork for this success.
However, it won’t be an easy ride. Even with favorable polls, no party in Aragón has ever secured an absolute majority. Azcón will have to choose coalition partners to avoid the previous problems with governance caused by the far-right Vox. But Vox is currently gaining momentum, which could complicate coalition talks.
Tactics and Style
Pilar Alegría, on the other hand, is starting her campaign from a less advantageous position. She carries the weight of national scandals involving corruption and internal conflicts within PSOE. Moreover, she has led the regional party branch for just a year and is forced to maneuver between different factions within the organization. After the death of Javier Lambán, who had long led the socialists in Aragón, Alegría was left without the strong support of the old guard.
Nevertheless, she has chosen an unusual strategy: she declined large-scale party events and is focusing on personal meetings with residents. Every day brings new towns and villages, conversations with local activists, entrepreneurs, and ordinary citizens. She believes this approach is the best way to understand people’s expectations and earn their trust. Her goal is at least ten new connections a day, while social media serves only to reinforce personal contact, without excess noise or distractions.
Intra-party Battles
Inside PSOE, the situation is complicated. Although the socialists have more mayors in the region than their rivals, they do not control any of the three provincial capitals. There is an ongoing power struggle in the comarcas and municipalities, and fresh faces are appearing on the electoral lists, causing discontent among veteran party members. Alegría is working to unite her team, but the tension is palpable.
Meanwhile, Partido Popular, led by Azcón, controls a significant portion of the region’s structures, and his campaign focuses on projecting stability and economic growth. Unlike his colleagues in other regions, Azcón is unafraid of public debates and has already confirmed he will participate in televised encounters with his opponent. This could work in his favor, as voters appreciate openness and a willingness for dialogue.
Personal stories
Both campaigns are filled with personal touches. Alegría launched her electoral journey with a speech in her hometown of La Zaida, where she became leader of the regional PSOE chapter a year ago. She is an active advocate for women in agriculture, regularly meeting with farmers and business owners and stressing the importance of supporting small communities. During one visit, she promised to revive the law on women’s rights in rural areas, which she claims has been neglected by the current administration.
Azcón, in turn, focuses on tangible results: new jobs, investment, and infrastructure development. His team is confident that these arguments will persuade voters to support him for another term. However, Aragon’s political landscape is always full of surprises, and the final balance of power may surprise even the most seasoned observers.
