A new conflict is brewing in the political landscape of Castilla-La Mancha: the Vox party has launched a wave of criticism against the People’s Party (PP) and the Socialists (PSOE) over their joint plans to change the region’s statute of autonomy. At the heart of the dispute is a proposal to raise the maximum number of seats in the regional parliament from the current 33 to 55, as well as to tighten the rules for amending electoral legislation.
Vox, previously part of coalitions with the PP in several autonomous communities, now accuses both parties of acting in concert and ignoring the interests of voters. According to representatives of the far right, such measures only serve to strengthen the two largest political forces, leaving little room for alternative voices. The party insists that increasing the number of deputies is not justified by demographic changes and would simply lead to higher parliamentary expenses.
Meanwhile, supporters of the reform from PP and PSOE argue that adjusting the number of seats is necessary to ensure fairer representation for the region’s residents. They point out that in other autonomous communities with smaller populations, parliaments are much larger. For example, Asturias has 45 deputies, and Castilla y León has 81. The new rules also state that any changes to the electoral system will now require the approval of at least three-fifths of all deputies, effectively making it impossible to pass such measures without backing from both major parties.
Political Fallout and New Challenges
The reform affects more than just the size of parliament. The document enshrines guarantees for the preservation and development of public services, as well as measures to combat the decline of small towns. In addition, it introduces limits on the immunity of deputies and government members, and grants the power to issue decrees with the force of law.
Vox is using the situation to ramp up pressure on PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who is already under strain following Carlos Mazón’s departure from the leadership of the Valencian Community. The party is eager to show that PP and PSOE operate as a single bloc despite their public disagreements. Videos and speeches by Vox deputies in Castilla-La Mancha highlight their belief that there is no real difference between the socialists and the people’s party.
Internal disagreements and the region’s future
Tensions are rising within the PP itself: some members fear that concessions to PSOE could cost them support among conservative voters. Vox, meanwhile, is looking to reap maximum political benefit by presenting itself as the only force capable of opposing a ‘collusion’ between the two main parties. A vote on the reform is expected in Congress in the coming weeks, and it appears the initiative will be approved. This could mark the beginning of a new phase of political struggle in Castilla-La Mancha and shift the balance of power in other regions of Spain.
