Spain's conservative People's Party (PP) secured victory in Sunday's Andalusian regional election but failed to retain its absolute majority, leaving it dependent on the far-right Vox party to form a new government. The outcome in Spain's most populous region, often seen as a bellwether for national opinion ahead of next year's general election, saw the Socialists hit an all-time low while Vox gained a single seat.
Election Results in Detail
The PP won 53 seats in the 109-seat regional parliament, two short of an absolute majority and down from the 58 seats it held after the 2022 election. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), led nationally by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, dropped from 30 to 28 seats. Vox increased its representation from 14 to 15 seats. The left-wing Adelante Andalucía party surged from two to eight seats, while the leftist coalition Por Andalucía retained its five seats from four years ago.
Negotiations Ahead
These results compel regional PP leader Juan Manuel "Juanma" Moreno to negotiate with Vox to remain in office—something he sought to avoid during the campaign. "I'm going to try to govern alone, and I'll work as hard as possible to ensure there are no constraints or conditions from Vox," he told Cadena Ser radio last week. "I've said very clearly that I have no interest in governing with Vox. None at all."
Moreno has criticized Vox's "national priority" policy, which would favor Spaniards over foreign-born residents in housing and benefits. Although he dismissed it as "an empty slogan," Vox has made it a key condition in recent coalition agreements with the PP in regions like Extremadura and Aragón.
Reactions and Implications
Speaking after the results, Moreno acknowledged his party fell short of an absolute majority but insisted he had a mandate "to continue transforming Andalucía," promising "four more years of reforms and stability." The PP described its win as a "resounding victory" and called the Socialists' result "catastrophic." Prime Minister Sánchez congratulated Moreno but pledged his party would "continue to drive social and political advances that improve people's lives."
Vox leader Santiago Abascal urged Moreno to heed the 576,000 Andalusians who backed his party, showing they "believe in national priority… and believe that regional governments can work to stop the migrant invasion."
National Outlook
Polls ahead of next year's general election suggest the PP is on track to defeat Sánchez, whose administration has been hit by corruption scandals. However, the conservatives are expected to fall short of an absolute majority nationally, likely requiring Vox's support to govern. The negotiations in Andalucía may preview the dynamics of a future national coalition.
