Conservative Party Wins in Andalusia but Must Team Up With Far‑Right

The People’s Party (PP) secured a victory in the Andalusian election but fell short of an outright majority, requiring support from the far‑right Vox party to govern. This outcome serves as a preview for Spain’s national election next year.

Key Points

• PP: 53 of 109 seats (down from 58 in 2022), one seat shy of a majority.
• Socialists: 28 seats, losing two and marking their worst result in a once-dominant region.
• Vox: 15 seats, gaining one.
• Other Left‑leaning Groups:
• Adelante Andalucía: from 2 to 8 seats.
• Por Andalucía: unchanged at 5 seats.

Political Context

• Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces potential replacement after nine years of left‑wing governance.
• PP leader Juanma Moreno described the results as a setback, noting that the party had promised a moderate government without Vox.
• Similar coalitions have formed in Extremadura and Aragon, hinting at a broader trend.
• Maria Jesús Montero, Socialist candidate and former Budget Minister, accepted the loss and pledged to learn from mistakes.

Historical Background

• Andalusia was a Socialist stronghold until 2018, when public discontent against the establishment facilitated Vox’s rise.
• This election marks the first time the PP has formally agreed with Vox to stay in power—a partnership that ended when the PP gained an absolute majority in 2022.