Leftist Parties in Spain Unite to Form New Alliance Ahead of 2026 General Elections
Several left-wing parties in Spain plan to launch a new coalition on February 21 to strengthen their electoral chances ahead of the 2026 general elections amid shifting political dynamics.
- • Sumar, Más Madrid, Izquierda Unida, and Comunes will officially launch a new leftist alliance on February 21 in Madrid.
- • In Aragón, recent elections show PP leading but losing ground, PSOE declining sharply, while Vox and Chunta Aragonesista gain votes.
- • The d'Hondt method affects seat distributions, with the PP projected to lose seats to Vox despite vote shares.
- • PSOE positions itself as a barrier to far-right advances and seeks cooperation with other progressive groups.
Key details
As Spain approaches the 2026 general elections, left-wing parties including Sumar, Más Madrid, Izquierda Unida, and Comunes are joining forces to announce a new political alliance in Madrid on February 21. This coalition aims to strengthen their representation and compete more effectively against right-wing parties, signaling a revival of the leftist space initially proposed by Sumar. The alliance emphasizes collaboration and horizontal relations among the members rather than adherence to strict party lines, a strategy echoed by Gabriel Rufián of ERC, who is also pursuing a unified leftist project with PSOE's support.
The current political landscape in Aragón illustrates the challenges ahead: in the 2023 general elections, the People's Party (PP) secured 36% of the votes and seven seats, followed by PSOE with 31% and four seats. Sumar and Vox held one seat each. However, in more recent elections, the PP's share dipped to 34%, PSOE dropped sharply to 24%, while Vox increased their vote share to 18%, and the Chunta Aragonesista, now separate from Sumar, gained 10% making it the fourth political force. Despite PSOE losing votes more heavily, the PP is projected to lose seats to Vox in hypothetical future elections due to the d'Hondt method's allocation system, especially in provinces like Huesca and Teruel with limited seats.
Meanwhile, the PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has agreed to Vox’s demands for their inclusion in regional governments to manage governance challenges, adding pressure on regional figures to negotiate coalitions swiftly. The PSOE, through spokesperson Montse Mínguez, positions itself as a bulwark against the far-right, inviting alliances with other progressive forces to maintain democratic balance and counter the rise of right-wing extremes.
These developments mark a critical period of political maneuvering and alliance-building on the left, seeking to consolidate votes and present a unified front in an increasingly fragmented electoral environment.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
