Feijóo Advances International Profile Amid Domestic Political Maneuvers

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of Spain's Partido Popular (PP), is actively shaping his role in international politics while navigating complex domestic challenges. Following the declassification of documents tied to the 23-F coup attempt, Feijóo publicly called for the return of former King Juan Carlos I to Spain, framing the former monarch as a key democratic guarantor. This call has happened against the backdrop of talks with Vox in regions like Extremadura and Aragón, reflecting the internal negotiation dynamics within the Spanish right.

On the international front, Feijóo has intensified efforts to establish a stronger global presence for the PP, a task he has found challenging since his leadership began four years ago. Recently, he engaged in a notable phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where they discussed bilateral ties, NATO, Latin American matters, and the war in Ukraine. Feijóo reaffirmed Spain's commitment to being a reliable ally, emphasizing his vision for what he terms 'the new Western century,' recognizing the obsolescence of the post-Cold War order.

He has outlined four core pillars for his international policy: strengthening NATO and advocating increased defense spending beyond the current 2% of GDP; promoting free trade rather than isolationism; endorsing a practical approach to decarbonization; and managing migration to maintain social cohesion. These positions are bolstered by advisors such as Ildefonso Castro López and diplomatic contacts with conservative leaders in Europe and Morocco, particularly Prime Minister Aziz Ajanuch. Feijóo also critiques the current government for poor communication regarding contentious foreign policy issues like the Western Sahara.

Domestically, Feijóo stresses the PP's readiness to govern and resolve Spain's pressing problems. During a rally in Ciudad Rodrigo, he highlighted Castile and León’s successes in education and healthcare under PP governance and proposed six key priorities including infrastructure development and investment in agriculture, stressing that regional progress contrasts with the current government's scandals and management failures. He urged voters to consolidate support around the PP to ensure political stability and meaningful change.

Feijóo’s intertwining of enhancing Spain’s international standing with a strong domestic governance agenda illustrates his strategic approach to restoring the PP's prominence both at home and abroad.