Sánchez is loved everywhere – but not so much in Spain, say Andalusia’s voters. Can he pull off another comeback?
In a hyper-partisan atmosphere the PM’s party was defeated in Spain’s most populous region – and with a general election in 2027, time is short to turn things round
TL;DR
- Pedro Sánchez is internationally praised for his stance on Gaza and Iran, and as an advocate for immigration.
- Despite this, his party, the PSOE, has lost four regional elections in six months, with a particularly poor result in Andalucía.
- The conservative Partido Popular (PP) and the far-right Vox party are benefiting from these losses.
- National issues such as corruption scandals involving former socialist officials and even Sánchez's wife, alongside a highly polarized political environment, are contributing to his declining popularity.
- Spain's economy is performing well, driven by exports, services, and immigration, with lower energy bills and affordable public transport.
- Sánchez hopes that voters will react against the policies of new right-wing regional governments, but fragmentation in Spanish politics poses a significant challenge.
- The next general election is due by August 2027, giving Sánchez a limited window to regain support.