A rare precedent is brewing in Spanish politics: two sitting ministers — Mónica García from Más Madrid and Óscar López from the PSOE — are considering running for president of Madrid in 2027. If their plans materialize, it would mark the first time in the country’s history that two members of the same government simultaneously leave their posts to compete for power in a single region. This move could significantly alter the balance of power in the capital and create a new dynamic for left-wing parties.
An Unusual Scenario
Until now, no party has faced a situation in which two government colleagues simultaneously transition from the national cabinet to regional politics to become direct competitors. According to El País, this scenario became possible due to the coalition government format that has been in place in Spain since 2020. As a result, the race for Madrid’s top office may turn into a complex internal competition among left-wing forces, who have repeatedly missed out on victory due to internal disagreements.
Internal Disagreements and Risks
The plans of García and López coincided with a period of instability within their parties. In the PSOE, the search for a new leader has continued after Juan Lobato’s departure, while in Más Madrid, competition from Emilio Delgado is increasing. Historically, left-wing fragmentation has already led to defeats: in 2015, IU failed to enter parliament despite receiving 130,000 votes, and in 2023, Podemos secured a record number of votes without obtaining representation. Experts note that the current move of ministers into regional politics reflects a shortage of personnel and fatigue within party structures following their time in the national government.
Precedents and new challenges
In the past, former ministers have already tried to lead regions: Esperanza Aguirre, Ángel Gabilondo, Pablo Iglesias, and others. However, never before have candidates simultaneously been sitting ministers and colleagues in the government. If García and López get the backing of their parties, their status will provide them with high media visibility but will also require them to answer for decisions made by the central government. Moreover, they will need to convincingly explain to voters why they are competing against each other despite their recent collaboration in the same cabinet.
Impact on the balance of power
Since 1995, left-wing parties have not governed Madrid. Over the past decades, divisions between PSOE, Más Madrid, Podemos, and other forces have prevented them from uniting for victory. According to political analysts, if each of the left-wing parties crosses the 5 percent threshold, this could strengthen their position in the regional parliament. However, for the first time, the battle for votes will be fought between two ministers who until recently worked together. This complicates the campaign strategy: on one hand, their ministerial status will bring them extra attention; on the other, it will increase pressure from the opposition and raise the risk of conservative voters rallying around Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the current regional head.
A similar situation already occurred in 2021: at that time, Ángel Gabilondo and Pablo Iglesias, both with government experience, competed for the presidency of Madrid. Their rivalry showed how difficult it is for left-wing parties to come to agreements and not lose voter support. Now, if the plans of García and López are confirmed, Madrid will once again become the stage for a unique political experiment that could affect the entire power structure in Spain.
