Tensions rise in the Partido Popular as Feijóo’s shift on Catalonia sparks criticism from party heavyweights. Aznar and Ayuso caution against softening the stance on the ‘procés’ and warn of electoral risks.
Sharp divisions have emerged within the Partido Popular (PP) after Alberto Núñez Feijóo signaled a new approach to Catalonia, seeking dialogue with Junts and advocating for moving beyond the ‘procés’. The move, unveiled during the Catalan PP congress in Barcelona, has drawn immediate resistance from the party’s conservative wing, with José María Aznar and Isabel Díaz Ayuso publicly expressing concern over any perceived softening on Catalan separatism.
Feijóo’s call to “turn the page” on the ‘procés’ was intended to broaden the PP’s appeal in Catalonia and reduce the party’s image as hostile to Catalan interests. However, this message has unsettled key figures in the party, who argue that downplaying the independence conflict undermines one of the PP’s core political assets. According to EL PAÍS, influential voices within the party’s right flank believe that easing confrontation with Junts risks diluting the PP’s identity and alienating its traditional base.
The strategy comes as the PP seeks to rebuild its presence in Catalonia, where it lags far behind the PSOE. In the 2023 general election, the PP secured only six seats in the region, compared to the Socialists’ nineteen. Feijóo’s overtures to Junts are also seen as an attempt to keep future coalition options open, should the PP require support for a potential investiture. Yet, party insiders remain skeptical that Junts would back a PP-led motion of no confidence, citing the risk of being blamed for facilitating Vox’s entry into government.
This week, Aznar delivered a pointed reminder that the PP’s goal should be to build a “national majority” that excludes Junts, emphasizing the need for a broad centrist coalition rather than reliance on separatist groups. While stopping short of directly criticizing Feijóo, Aznar’s remarks have been interpreted internally as a warning against any strategy that depends on Catalan independence parties. Ayuso echoed this sentiment, urging the party to distance itself from the “constant separatist threat” and signaling her opposition to declaring the ‘procés’ era over.
Within the PP, the debate has exposed deeper anxieties about the party’s electoral prospects. Critics argue that Feijóo’s main challenge is not his relationship with Junts, but the party’s stagnant polling numbers. Recent surveys place the PP at around 32% support, below its result in the last general election and trailing expectations given the current government’s vulnerabilities. Some party leaders warn that, without a significant shift in voter support, the PP may be forced into a coalition with Vox—a scenario many view as politically risky.
The internal dispute comes at a sensitive time for the PP, as Vox continues to exert influence in regional governments and pushes its agenda into mainstream conservative politics. Even centrist PP leaders, such as Juanma Moreno in Andalusia, have had to accommodate Vox in their administrations. The ongoing debate over strategy in Catalonia reflects broader questions about the PP’s direction, its alliances, and its ability to present a credible alternative to the current government.
For context, the ‘procés’ refers to the political process initiated by Catalan separatists seeking independence from Spain, which peaked with the 2017 referendum and subsequent political crisis. The PP has historically positioned itself as a staunch defender of Spanish unity, making any shift in tone or alliances on this issue highly sensitive. The current tensions highlight the challenges facing Feijóo as he attempts to navigate between expanding the party’s reach and maintaining its core identity. The outcome of this internal debate could shape the PP’s strategy ahead of the next general election and influence the broader landscape of Spanish politics.
