Castilla y León Leader Challenges Sánchez, Downplays Far-Right Gains
Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, the president of Castilla y León, is pushing back against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and setting clear boundaries for potential coalition partners as his region prepares for upcoming elections. The political maneuvering comes as Spain’s political landscape continues to shift, with the far-right Vox party gaining traction amid widespread discontent.
Mañueco, speaking at a breakfast briefing organized by La Razón in Madrid, emphasized the importance of “management” and experience in governance, subtly criticizing Vox’s capabilities. He urged a move away from what he described as the “noise” and “polarization” fueled by both the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and Vox, according to reports.
The president referenced the previous coalition government with Vox in Castilla y León, which began in 2022 shortly before the resignation of Pablo Casado as leader of the People’s Party (PP). Mañueco was critical of Vox’s performance during that period, stating, “They had real responsibilities, their policies were a failure, sometimes resounding. And when things went badly, with farmers and ranchers, they ran away.”
He questioned whether Vox possesses the necessary personnel to effectively govern, famously stating, “Tweeting is something anyone can do, but the difficult thing is to enter the government and manage effectively.” Mañueco indicated a preference for governing alone, but remained open to discussions with Vox to “create a project.”
The comments come amidst a broader national debate about the rise of the far-right in Spain, particularly in the wake of devastating wildfires that have consumed nearly 400,000 hectares of land this year – the worst fire season in three decades. The response to the fires has become a flashpoint between the central government and regional administrations, with the PP governing in the regions most affected: Galicia, Castilla y León, and Extremadura.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente, of the PSOE, publicly criticized Mañueco for being on vacation when the fires began to rage in Castilla y León, calling him “a disgrace.” The PP, in turn, leveled accusations against Virginia Barcones, head of the state civil protection agency, labeling her a “pyromaniac” and a “hooligan.”
Amidst this escalating rhetoric between the established parties, Vox has capitalized on the situation, presenting the wildfires as a symptom of a “morally bankrupt political system,” as stated by Vox leader Santiago Abascal. The party has used the crisis to promote its platform, which includes a denial of climate change and accusations of “climate terrorism” leveled against the government’s policies.
Prime Minister Sánchez has countered by emphasizing the link between the fires and climate change, calling for a cross-party agreement to address what he terms a “climate emergency.”
Mañueco’s campaign strategy, as he outlined, will focus on “less noise and more substance,” “less bickering and more results,” with a regional focus supported by national PP leaders like Alberto Núñez Feijóo, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and Alfonso Rueda.
The political dynamics in Castilla y León are particularly significant, as the region previously saw the Soria ¡Ya! party, born out of frustration with political abandonment, win seats in the regional parliament in 2022. This reflects a growing trend of regional parties voicing concerns about depopulation and inadequate services in rural areas – a phenomenon known as ‘Emptied Spain’.
The upcoming elections in Castilla y León will be a key test for the PP and Vox, and will likely shape the political landscape of the region for years to come. The outcome will also be closely watched nationally, as it could provide insights into the broader trajectory of Spain’s political forces.
