A new turning point is emerging in Aragón’s political landscape. Jorge Azcón, the regional leader, has issued an ultimatum: if the Vox party does not support the budget proposal within the next seven days, the region’s residents will have to elect a new parliament in snap elections. The possible date for the vote is February, which could significantly shift the balance of power in the area.
Azcón announced this in Madrid, where he attended a ceremony marking Constitution Day. He said that one week is enough to determine who is willing to back the financial plan and who would rather block it. The head of the regional branch of the Partido Popular (People’s Party) stressed that the lack of an approved budget inevitably leads to new elections.
Budget deadlock
On Friday, the Aragón government unveiled its 2025 budget proposal. The amount—a record-breaking €9.145 billion. However, without the backing of Vox, whose votes are crucial, the proposal risks remaining nothing but a document. So far, attempts to reach an agreement with other parliamentary groups have failed.
The Partido Popular delayed publishing the budget until after the meeting of the Council for Financial and Fiscal Policy, where the Finance Ministry set the spending cap. Only then was the proposal brought up for discussion. Now, Azcón plans to negotiate with all factions, including Vox, despite their recent refusal to compromise.
Negotiations and pressure
Azcón insists that the proposed budget can improve the lives of the region’s residents. He called on the opposition, especially the far-right, to act responsibly and unite for the common good. However, representatives of Vox are not ready for compromise yet. Their leader in parliament, Pepa Millán, stated that the responsibility for the situation lies with the regional leaders, not with their party.
At Partido Popular’s central office in Madrid, they believe the likelihood of early elections is extremely high. Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo noted that Azcón has been absolutely clear about his intentions. The only question is how many days remain before the official announcement.
Possible scenarios
The situation is complicated by Vox’s stance, as they are in no hurry to cooperate with the ruling party. Azcón is unwilling to repeat the experiences of his colleagues in other regions, where they had to make major concessions to gain the far-right’s support. In particular, he wants to avoid a repeat of Valencia, where the new regional president was forced to submit to Vox’s demands during his inauguration.
While negotiations continue, political uncertainty persists. Azcón has made it clear he does not intend to prolong the process: if no compromise is reached, he will sign a decree to dissolve parliament after December 22. This is tied to awaiting the results of elections in neighboring Extremadura, where a Vox victory could impact the strategy in Aragón.
Risks for the ruling party
The rising popularity of Vox in other regions could pose a serious challenge for Azcón. If the far-right strengthens its position in Extremadura, it may encourage voters in Aragón to make a similar choice. In that case, the Partido Popular risks losing control of the region or being forced to make tougher concessions.
In the coming days, it will become clear whether the Aragonese government can find common ground with the opposition or if the region faces another election campaign. In any case, the situation remains tense, and the outcome of the negotiations could affect not only the fate of the budget but also political stability in the autonomous community.
Jorge Azcón has held the post of president of Aragón since 2023 and is considered one of the key representatives of Partido Popular in the region. Previously, he served as mayor of Zaragoza. His political career has been marked by active participation in regional and national debates, as well as a drive to strengthen the party’s position in the autonomous community. Vox, meanwhile, has significantly expanded its influence in Spanish politics in recent years, becoming an important player in several regional parliaments.
