Politics · Spain · 4 hrs ago
Feijóo and Abascal compete for greater influence on Spain’s right
Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Santiago Abascal are competing for voters who support Spain’s right.
A Sigma Dos poll estimates that 1.3 million voters are moving from the PP to Vox, while 200,000 are moving the other way.
The two leaders have avoided an open clash as they head towards elections, but each is making a case for their party to carry more weight on the right.
Feijóo said he wants a clear mandate and argued that a government with stronger parliamentary backing could avoid constant negotiations.
Abascal called for a more forceful political change and said greater support for Vox would bring greater change.
The leaders also differ over issues including public spending on climate and gender policies, which could influence voters choosing between them.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Santiago Abascal are competing for greater influence over voters on Spain’s right.
A Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo says more than 1.5 million voters are moving between the PP and Vox.
The poll estimates that 1.3 million voters are switching from the PP to Vox, while 200,000 are moving in the opposite direction.
Both leaders called for stronger backing from voters, while presenting different arguments about what a right-wing government should do.
Abascal argued for more drastic change, while Feijóo called for a clear mandate and stressed his party’s capacity to govern.
- Who
- Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the PP and Santiago Abascal of Vox.
- What
- They are competing for influence over shared voters on Spain’s right.
- When
- The article was published on 3 November 2026; it describes remarks made the previous morning.
- Where
- Spain. Feijóo spoke at an Europa Press breakfast event, and Abascal was interviewed on Telecinco.
- Why
- Both leaders are seeking greater backing and influence in the right-wing political equation.
PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Vox, led by Santiago Abascal
Mandate
PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo called for a clear mandate that would give the prime minister a parliamentary group supporting the government in both chambers.
Vox, led by Santiago Abascal
Abascal asked for stronger backing for a more decisive change in direction.
Government approach
PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo presented management as a key strength and criticised what he called permanent compromise.
Vox, led by Santiago Abascal
Abascal said greater support for Vox would lead to more change and said he was not fully satisfied with measures in coalition governments in four regions.
Public spending
PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo said he did not want to open a confrontation with unions over a general strike.
Vox, led by Santiago Abascal
Abascal called for sharp cuts to spending he said people should not have to pay for, including ideological spending and public contributions to several organisations.
Feijóo called for a clear mandate at a breakfast event organised by Europa Press.
Abascal called for backing for a more decisive change in an interview on Telecinco.
- Voter movement from PP to Vox
- 1.3 million, according to a Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo
- Voter movement from Vox to PP
- 200,000, according to the poll
- Shared electorate in motion
- More than 1.5 million voters, according to the poll
- Coalition governments referenced
- PP and Vox have agreed coalitions in four regions
What people are saying
a clear mandate to make possible the national reconstruction the country needs
The other thing is permanent compromise, discussion, agreement at the last minute
support from Spaniards who want a more decisive change
If they give us greater backing, more things will change