Spain’s far-right Vox party and the right-wing People’s Party (PP) have reached a preliminary agreement to form a coalition government in Extremadura, marking the first of three regional pacts under negotiation that could signal whether a right-wing alliance is capable of unseating the ruling socialists (PSOE) at the next general election.
The development follows Vox’s withdrawal from five regional governments in 2024, when it protested against the PP’s acceptance of the redistribution of unaccompanied migrant minors across Spain, including into regions where the two parties governed together. ALSO READ: Far-right Vox party seeks to clarify its plans to ‘deport 8 million immigrants’.
Highlighting Vox’s increasing sway over immigration policy, the new agreement states that a future PP–Vox administration will ‘oppose by all means necessary’ any further distribution of undocumented migrants, including minors. ALSO READ: Spain to commence mass regularisation of undocumented migrants.
The outcome of this renewed attempt at joint governance is expected to be closely scrutinised by voters weighing support for a national alliance between the two parties ahead of the next general election, which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez must call before June next year.
Current polling indicates that the PP and Vox are the only combination likely to secure a parliamentary majority, with projections putting their combined support at 51.4%, compared with 27.7% for the Socialists and around 8% for smaller left-wing parties, which have suffered losses in recent regional contests. ALSO READ: Latest opinion polls show PSOE gaining on anti-war stance, as support for far right stalls.
The regions involved – Aragón, Extremadura and Castilla y León – account for roughly 10% of Spain’s population and are key agricultural hubs. They are also attracting billions in planned investment from US and Chinese companies, particularly in sectors such as data centres and battery manufacturing. ALSO READ: PP wins in Extremadura, but will have to depend on Vox to govern, as PSOE collapses.
Extremadura is home to major renewable energy infrastructure, including Europe’s largest solar facility, which could face increased scrutiny under Vox, given its opposition to the European Green Deal and broader climate policies.
Under the proposed arrangement, the PP would hold the regional presidency along with most ministerial posts, while Vox would take control of the agriculture and family ministries – areas central to its electoral base.
The agreement also outlines resistance to large-scale renewable developments on agricultural land and includes a commitment to advocate for keeping the Almaraz nuclear power plant open beyond its currently planned closure in 2028.
Economic measures in the pact include tax cuts for lower-income earners, expanded inheritance tax relief, and prioritising access to public services and housing for nationals or those with a ‘real, lasting and verifiable connection to the territory’. ALSO READ: PP wins Aragón election, dependent on Vox after far-right surge; PSOE records all-time low.
The socialist government has criticised the deal, accusing the PP of handing Vox a ‘blank cheque’ in order to secure agreements. Meanwhile, PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has defended the alliance as the only democratic option, pointing to Vox’s status as Spain’s third-largest political force. ALSO READ: PP wins Castilla y León election, but needs far-right’s support – and PSOE improves its result.
ALSO READ: Andalusia heads to the polls on 17 May in high-stakes regional vote.
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La presidenta del PP extremeño, María Guardiola, y el líder de Vox, Óscar Fernández Calle, han anunciado esta tarde acuerdo para formar gobierno en Extremadura, en el que la popular será presidenta del Ejecutivo y Vox ocupará dos consejerías, una con rango de vicepresidencia pic.twitter.com/C6MnwwJF64
— EFE Extremadura (@EfeExtremadura) April 16, 2026
El debate de investidura de @MGuardiolaM como presidenta de la @Junta_Ex ha sido convocado oficialmente para los próximos días 21 y 22 abril tras la ronda de contactos que ha mantenido este viernes el presidente de la @Asamblea_Ex, Manuel Naharro, con los grupos parlamentarios pic.twitter.com/IWWYIGfxIF
— EFE Extremadura (@EfeExtremadura) April 17, 2026
🗣 @Igarrigavaz sobre el pacto con el PP en Extremadura:
“El acuerdo confirma la coherencia y el cumplimiento de la palabra de VOX.
Dijimos que cambiaríamos Extremadura y el acuerdo confirma que hemos logrado un cambio en las políticas y en las prioridades de las políticas” pic.twitter.com/1T8eqN3N6y
— VOX 🇪🇸 (@vox_es) April 17, 2026
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