PSOE Firmly Rejects Supporting María Guardiola's Government Without Vox Backing
The PSOE has ruled out abstaining to allow María Guardiola to govern Extremadura without Vox backing, highlighting political deadlock due to Vox's strategic stance.
- • PSOE rejects facilitating María Guardiola's government without Vox's support.
- • Vox will not negotiate with PP until after Castilla y León elections.
- • Guardiola is expected to lose March investiture votes without Vox backing.
- • The political impasse follows the December Extremadura elections where PP lacked absolute majority.
Key details
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has unequivocally rejected the idea of abstaining to facilitate a government led by María Guardiola in Extremadura without the support of the far-right party Vox. This clear stance underscores the political impasse after the December regional elections, where the People’s Party (PP), led by Guardiola, failed to secure an absolute majority.
Vox’s 11 deputies hold the balance of power for Guardiola’s investiture, making them crucial for her potential re-election. However, Vox has announced it will not enter negotiations with the PP regarding government formation until after the upcoming elections in Castilla y León, where they are expected to potentially garner up to 25% of the vote. This strategic delay to assess electoral outcomes complicates the formation of a stable regional government in Extremadura.
As a result, political insiders anticipate that Guardiola is likely to lose the first two investiture votes scheduled for March 3 and March 6. PSOE’s spokespersons have emphasized that any responsibility for the government deadlock lies solely with the PP, rejecting any facilitation tactics that exclude Vox’s involvement.
Meanwhile, broader political dynamics continue to evolve nationally. On Thursday, the Congress is set to vote on a penal reform introduced by Junts, with apparent bipartisan support including PSOE, PP, and Vox. Additionally, in judicial news, the Supreme Court is holding a preliminary hearing on allegations related to irregular mask purchases during the pandemic involving former minister José Luis Ábalos and others.
This situation in Extremadura illustrates the difficulties facing regional government formation when a party lacks an outright majority and relies on the support of a far-right bloc, which currently remains reluctant to negotiate. PSOE’s firm refusal to enable Guardiola’s government without Vox support signals ongoing political tension and uncertainty ahead of the next regional elections.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
