Politics · Spain · 1 hr ago
Sánchez and Feijóo face a campaign that could decide their futures
Spain’s election campaign has begun, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo both fighting for political survival.
The vote is set for November 29, and 1.6 million people will vote for the first time.
Sánchez hopes turnout will exceed 70% and help counter the strength of the conservative People’s Party and Vox.
Housing has returned to the centre of the campaign, alongside debate over the government’s record and allegations of corruption.
Catalonia is a major battleground: the Socialists won 19 seats there in 2023, while the People’s Party won six.
Feijóo has started campaigning in Catalonia, where his party hopes to improve its showing, while Sánchez is relying on a strong result there.
The election will determine whether Sánchez or Feijóo can lead the next government, though the article says the numbers needed to form one remain uncertain.
The campaign opening on Nov. 12 is presented as a test of whether Pedro Sánchez and Alberto Núñez Feijóo can remain in their leadership roles.
The vote is scheduled for Nov. 29, and 1.6 million people are new voters.
Sánchez is counting on turnout above 70% to weaken the mobilized PP-Vox bloc.
Feijóo is seeking support in Catalonia, where the Popular Party won six seats in 2023, compared with 19 for the Socialists.
The campaign is also focused on housing, with the PSOE highlighting an anti-eviction decree and proposed social measures.
- Who
- Pedro Sánchez and Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leaders of the PSOE and Popular Party.
- What
- They are campaigning in an election that could determine whether they continue in their leadership roles.
- When
- The campaign began on Nov. 12, 2026. The vote is scheduled for Nov. 29.
- Where
- Spain, with Feijóo beginning his campaign in Badalona and planning to visit other provinces, including Lleida.
- Why
- Both leaders’ political futures are at stake, and they are seeking support to secure a governing majority.
PSOE and Pedro Sánchez
Popular Party and Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Campaign strategy
PSOE and Pedro Sánchez
Sánchez is seeking record turnout, above 70%, and is warning about the far right.
Popular Party and Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo’s campaign seeks to project leadership and institutional standing, and calls for political change.
Catalonia
PSOE and Pedro Sánchez
The article describes Catalonia as a major source of support for Sánchez and the Socialists.
Popular Party and Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo is making Catalonia a focus, starting the campaign in Badalona after the PP’s weak 2023 result there.
The Popular Party won six seats in Catalonia, while the Socialists won 19.
Marches took place over housing, according to the article.
The campaign began, with Feijóo starting in Badalona.
Sánchez was due to meet Lula da Silva, and Feijóo was due to campaign in Lleida.
The election is scheduled to take place.
- New voters
- 1.6 million
- Turnout target
- More than 70%
- Election date
- Nov. 29
- Popular Party seats in Catalonia, 2023
- 6
- Socialist seats in Catalonia, 2023
- 19
- Lleida vote shortfall in 2023
- 3,200 votes for one seat
1 source
What people are saying
You cannot be president without understanding Catalonia.
I am Begoña Gómez.