The leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has acknowledged that he held a conversation with Santiago Abascal after the elections in Castilla y León on March 15, a contact that until now had not come to light and that shows that negotiations between PP and Vox are taking place at the highest political level.
In an interview granted to Servimedia, Feijóo admits this direct dialogue with the president of Vox at a key moment, with several regional governments still pending agreement. “We cannot let people down”, affirms the popular leader, who insists on the need to close pacts to guarantee institutional stability.
Discreet contacts and open negotiation
It is not an isolated contact. Both leaders had already conversed previously for about an an hour after the Aragon elections on February 8. This second exchange confirms that relations between both formations remain active, although without definitive advances.
Feijóo does not go into detail about the conversation, but he does reveal that in that context it was agreed to move towards a formal meeting between negotiating teams, especially focused on Extremadura. That meeting materialized days later in Mérida, where both parties staged a “good understanding” to facilitate the investiture of María Guardiola.
Despite this, negotiations remain open. In the Popular Party, they take for granted that agreements will eventually be reached, but they acknowledge that Vox is marking the times, which continues to prolong the conversations, partly also due to the Holy Week break.
Feijóo appeals to the responsibility of Vox
The leader of the PP shows himself publicly optimistic, although he introduces a clear message directed at his potential partner. “I believe in the responsibility of Vox and I guarantee the responsibility of the PP,” he maintains.
Feijóo defends that his strategy involves respecting the election results and providing stability to regional governments, and warns that the prolongation of negotiations is difficult to justify before the citizens.
“It is not possible to explain to a voter that they remain without a government in April after having voted months ago,” he insists, underlining the growing pressure to close the pending agreements.
Crossfire of accusations and political tension
While conversations advance slowly, the political climate between both formations has deteriorated. Vox has intensified its criticism against the leadership of the PP, whom it accuses of interfering in its internal affairs and of obstructing the agreements.
In a letter sent to its members, Abascal's party directly points to Feijóo's circle —including general secretary Miguel Tellado— as responsible for its internal crisis, even using harsh epithets against the popular leadership.
Furthermore, Vox accuses the PP of leaking information to the media about its leaders and its internal situation, as well as trying to weaken its negotiating position.
Feijóo flatly rejects these accusations. “I cannot defend myself from that which I have not done”, he states, asserting that he be judged by his decisions and denying any attempt at interference.