Spain’s main opposition party, the conservative People’s Party (PP), is reviving its regional alliances with the far-right Vox party by adopting Vox’s tough stance on immigration. This comes less than two years after disagreements over the issue caused the collapse of coalition governments in five of Spain’s autonomous regions.
The renewed deals between the PP and Vox come ahead of next year’s general election, and as Spain’s socialist government pushes to highlight the benefits of immigration by granting legal status to at least 500,000 undocumented migrants.
Six years ago, the PP rejected its far-right rival as a party that relied on “fear, anger, resentment, and revenge.” But later, it formed regional coalitions with Vox in Valencia, Aragón, Murcia, Extremadura, and Castilla y León. Those alliances ended in July 2024 when Vox walked out of all five coalitions after the PP backed the central government’s plan to relocate about 400 unaccompanied foreign children from the Canary Islands to homes across the mainland.
Last week, however, the PP and Vox reached an agreement to jointly govern the southwestern region of Extremadura, following months of talks after last December’s election. Then on Wednesday, they announced a pact to govern the northeastern region of Aragón.
Vox agreed to support the return of María Guardiola as PP president of Extremadura in exchange for control of three regional ministries and the adoption of measures that prioritize Spaniards over foreign-born residents for benefits and subsidies. Under the deal, there will now be “priority allocation of public resources to those who have a real, lasting, and verifiable connection to the region.”
Guardiola, who promised to make Extremadura “fairer, freer, and more prosperous” as she was reinstated in a vote on Wednesday, had initially refused to even consider governing with Vox. After the previous regional election in May 2023, she made her dislike for the party clear, saying: “I can’t allow those who deny gender-based violence… those who dehumanize immigrants… into government.” A few weeks later, the PP changed its mind and entered a coalition with Vox.
The deal to govern Aragón, which held a regional election in February, is similar to the one in Extremadura. The far-right party will run three regional ministries and has celebrated its success in pushing the PP to accept more Vox policies, including “national priority”—or favoring Spaniards over others.
Vox said: “We will ensure that Spaniards always come first. We will implement national priority for access to subsidized housing, social rentals, grants, and benefits.”
Coalition talks between the PP and Vox are still ongoing after last month’s election in the northern region of Castilla y León.
These renewed regional partnerships suggest the possibility of a national coalition if the PP finishes first in next year’s general election but fails to win a majority.
Both parties have criticized the central government’s regularization program. The PP claims it will overwhelm Spain’s public services, while Vox has again suggested that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is trying to replace the Spanish population and “speed up the invasion.”
In July last year, Vox floated the idea of deporting up to 8 million people of foreign origin—including the children of immigrants—arguing that “it’s very difficult for them to adapt to our customs.” The party later backed away from the “remigration” plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Spanish conservatives reviving regional agreements with the farright Vox party written in a natural tone with clear answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is the regional agreement between Spanish conservatives and Vox
Its a deal where the conservative Popular Party teams up with the farright Vox party to form a local government in a region In exchange for Voxs support the PP agrees to adopt some of Voxs policies
2 Why are these agreements being revived now
After a period of tension the PP recently lost a key national election but won in several regions To govern those regions they need a majority Since other parties wont work with them theyre going back to Vox for help
3 Who are the Spanish conservatives in this context
The Popular Party which is Spains main centerright conservative party They are not the farright theyre more traditional probusiness and moderate on social issues
4 What does Vox want in exchange for these deals
Vox typically demands tougher immigration controls a harder line against Catalan independence cuts to gender violence laws and a stronger Spanishfirst cultural policy
5 Is this a new thing in Spain
No Similar deals happened in 2019 and 2020 Whats new is that the PP is now doing it more openly even in regions where they previously avoided it like the Valencia region
IntermediateLevel Questions
6 What are the main benefits for the PP in these agreements
The PP gets to govern and pass budgets without needing the farleft or separatist parties It also helps them block the socialist government from gaining influence in those regions
7 What are the biggest risks for the PP
They risk alienating moderate voters who dislike Voxs extreme views It also makes the PP look less independent and more like Voxs puppet which could hurt them in national elections
8 Can you give a specific example of a revived agreement
In the Valencia region the PP formed a coalition government with Vox Vox got the vicepres
