Pablo Vázquez Vega, a central figure in the Partido Popular’s intellectual and strategic circles, died in August 2026 at the age of 60. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the party’s leader, announced his death and praised Vázquez’s dedication and sharp intellect, as well as his generous character. Vázquez was a trusted adviser to Feijóo and led Reformismo21 from its creation in 2023. The foundation was established to contribute to the PP’s government program and develop its policy platform.
Born in Cáceres in 1965, Vázquez Vega built a career in public administration and the private sector. He held a law degree and a doctorate in economics. From 2002 to 2004, he served as undersecretary at the Ministry of Health under Ana Pastor. Later, when Pastor became Minister of Public Works in Mariano Rajoy’s government, she appointed him president of Renfe, a position he held from 2014 to 2016. Vázquez also led Ineco and was executive director of the Fundación de Estudios de Economía Aplicada (Fedea).
In recent years, Vázquez Vega helped shape Reformismo21, which was established to give the Partido Popular a renewed ideological compass after the party’s split from José María Aznar’s FAES. Feijóo promoted the foundation in 2023 to support the PP’s governing program and pursue what it called “a major project” removed from “radicalisms” and “trenches.” Its stated mission is to contribute to Spain’s progress through concrete projects and proposals serving the public good, with future generations in mind.
Feijóo included Vázquez Vega on the PP’s candidate list for the July 2023 general elections. After six months in parliament, Vázquez left his seat to focus fully on leading Reformismo21. His departure from the legislature showed how much importance the party placed on the think tank’s development and its role in shaping policy.
His death prompted tributes from across the Partido Popular. Secretary General Miguel Tellado described Vázquez as exceptionally cultured and highly prepared, and above all, a impressive person. Other party leaders echoed those sentiments, praising his commitment to Spain and the PP while recognizing the lasting impact of his work. Condolences on social media reflected the respect he commanded within the party and beyond.
Vázquez Vega’s death left Reformismo21 without a leader. On October 22, 2026, Europa Press reported that Gabriel Elorriaga, a former senior official under José María Aznar and former PP lawmaker, was expected to succeed him as president. The appointment was still awaiting formal confirmation at the time. The transition comes as the foundation continues work on policy tied to the party’s governing program and preparations for the next electoral cycle.
Vázquez Vega’s death comes as the Partido Popular navigates internal change and reassesses its strategy. The party is likely to feel the loss of a basic adviser and policy architect as it continues to define its direction. The role of think tanks and advisers in Spanish politics has also drawn attention in cases such as the controversy over political appointments in Valencia, which sparked debate about transparency and party influence, an issue explored in this report on appointments in the Valencian government.
Reformismo21 was created to fill the gap left by FAES, long the Partido Popular’s ideological engine. Its emphasis on independence from direct party control reflects a broader trend in Spanish politics toward separating policy development from day-to-day political management. Vázquez Vega helped establish this model. His death and Elorriaga’s expected succession bring the foundation’s future direction and influence on the PP’s policy agenda into focus as the party seeks to sustain its renewal efforts.
