In Spain, the right (PP) and the far right (Vox) have reached an agreement to jointly govern the regional government of Extremadura, in western Spain. This agreement signifies a reconciliation between the two parties, whose previous regional coalitions had fallen apart.
María Guardiola was elected regional president of Extremadura, supported by Vox (40 votes for, 25 against, and no abstentions). Shortly after her inauguration, the outgoing president was embraced by the local Vox leader, Óscar Fernández, who will now be the vice president of the regional government. This pact has generated numerous criticisms, notably from the central government led by socialist Pedro Sánchez.
Sánchez criticized the agreement in Parliament on Wednesday as “a kick to the Constitution,” highlighting concerns about the establishment of a “national priority” for social benefits and a perceived discrimination among citizens.
According to reports from Spanish media, the agreement lists 74 measures primarily aimed at combating immigration and establishes the principle of “national priority.” This means that “assistance, subsidies, and public benefits” will be prioritized for those with a real, lasting, and verifiable connection to the territory.
The Minister of the Presidency and Justice, Félix Bolaños, denounced the agreement as “inhumane” and “degrading” during a session in Madrid. In 2023, Vox and PP had reached an agreement in this region, but by 2024, Vox had withdrawn from five regional governments where it was in coalition with the PP due to disagreements over the distribution of foreign minors in the territory.
Similar configurations to Extremadura could emerge in other regions like Aragon and Castile and Leon, where the PP led recent regional elections but did not secure an absolute majority, potentially needing to ally with Vox. Additionally, all eyes are on the upcoming election on May 17 in Andalusia, the most populous region in the country, seen as a preview for the expected national elections next year.
