A new political chapter begins in Aragón: the president of the autonomous community, Jorge Azcón, has announced early elections to be held on February 8. This decision follows a prolonged standoff between the ruling coalition and the opposition, who failed to reach an agreement on key budget issues. Azcón emphasized that he believes this step is the only appropriate one in a democracy when the parliament is unable to pass vital legislation for the region.
The regional leader did not hide his disappointment with opposition parties, who, according to him, dragged out the process and proposed postponing the approval of the budget indefinitely. The only exception was Partido Aragonés; the rest, in Azcón’s view, were merely looking for excuses not to back the financial plan. The president pointed out that the proposed budget included record investments in healthcare and tax reductions, which were intended to promote further economic growth and population increase in Aragón.
Budget deadlock
Azcón emphasized that the region is experiencing a period of economic growth, and that new investments are needed to maintain this momentum. However, the lack of support from the majority of parliamentary factions blocked the approval of the budget, which, according to the president, threatens the further development of the autonomy. He expressed regret that the opposition did not appreciate the importance of the proposed changes, which could have strengthened Aragón’s position compared to other Spanish regions.
At a press conference, Azcón stated that last week he held a series of meetings with representatives of all parliamentary groups. The outcome of these consultations was the realization that compromise was impossible: most parties were not prepared to support the budget in its current form, and some insisted on endlessly prolonging negotiations. As a result, the president decided to turn to the voters and give them the opportunity to determine the region’s future.
Disagreements with Vox
The Vox party played a significant role in the political crisis, as the ruling coalition was unable to reach an understanding with them. After the latest meeting with the leader of Vox’s regional branch, Alejandro Nolasco, it became clear that a deal would not be reached. Vox representatives were prepared for early elections in advance and insisted they were not responsible for blocking the budget. They criticized the Partido Popular for not making the concessions that had previously been accepted in Valencia, particularly on issues related to migration and the environmental agenda.
Azcón, in turn, called Vox’s demands unacceptable and even contrary to the law. According to him, the opponents’ proposals are not in the region’s best interests and cannot be implemented under current legislation. After the breakdown of negotiations, it became clear that holding new elections was the only way out of the situation.
The election race begins
The official start of the campaign is set for January 23. The Aragon elections are part of a major electoral marathon kicking off in Spain in December: after Extremadura and Aragón, elections will be held in Castilla y León in March, followed by Andalucía in May or June. As a result, the country’s political landscape could see significant changes in the coming months.
Ahead of the elections, Azcón expressed hope that the people of Aragón would be active and decide which issues matter most to them. He stressed that he considers his decision to be a pivotal one for the region and is counting on a constructive dialogue with society. In the coming weeks, political parties will begin campaigning for votes, and the outcome will determine the direction Aragón will take in the years ahead.
