The president of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, considers the "fear of the far-right" that the head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez, has been using as an electoral tool since the 2023 elections to be overcome, and focuses his party on the "definitive battle" of the general elections of 2027, an appointment that in his environment they see as "a revenge" after failing to achieve La Moncloa three years ago, according to sources from 'popular' reported to Europa Press.
At the 'Génova' headquarters, they anticipate that Sánchez will try to exploit again as a campaign slogan "the ultra threat," following the line he opened in the last general elections and that he has repeated in his interventions in Parliament, insisting that the right would have mimicked the far-right. However, in the PP they maintain that this tactic "no longer works" and will not yield results for the upcoming general elections.
In a course start with a strong electoral component —in 2027, general, municipal, and regional elections will coincide in 12 communities—, the president of the Government already pointed out last Monday, in a meeting with the Socialist Group, the roadmap he will follow in the coming months, a meeting that took place at the same time as the victory of Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.
The results of those elections in Germany have served Sánchez to present himself as the "vanguard of progressive policies" against the "ultra threat" that "is gaining ground" in Europe and the world, "thanks largely to traditional right." Therefore, this week he emphasized that "a progressive coalition government like that of Spain is more necessary than ever." "The world is watching us," he proclaimed before the socialist deputies.
In 'Génova' they interpret that these messages fit into Sánchez's "polarization" strategy, which he systematically repeats in his public appearances and which, they emphasize, he used again this Wednesday in Congress when he accused PP and Vox of wanting to "steal" the right to vote from Spanish exiles after the Supreme Court's decision to temporarily suspend the census of the so-called 'grandchildren's law'.
In the PP, they are convinced that Sánchez's attempt to turn the "fear of the far-right" into a campaign lever will not have traction and, as an example, they cite the results achieved by the 'popular' in the four regional elections held in the last year, in which the PP emerged as the leading force.
Feijóo claims change and distances himself from the German case
Feijóo's team emphasizes that citizens demand "change in Spain" and an Executive that focuses on their everyday problems, such as access to housing. "What is frightening is Sánchez," sources from the PP leadership point out to Europa Press, warning that his "inaction" and "lies" regarding the assault on Ceuta and migration issues will lead to electoral wear for the PSOE.
The PP leadership rejects the idea that the party's situation in Spain can be equated with that of the CDU of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, arguing that there is no risk of a 'sorpasso' by Vox as occurred a week ago in Saxony. "The Government of Spain goes through the Popular Party," emphasize 'popular' sources, who also maintain that the rise of Santiago Abascal's party does not come at the expense of the PP.
In this sense, in 'Génova' they defend that, despite the rise reflected in the polls, the PP "keeps Vox at bay." "The far-right in Europe cuts points from conventional parties but here the PP remains firm. We are the most powerful Popular Party in Europe," party sources emphasize, recalling that Merz —who obtained 28.5% of the votes in February 2025— became chancellor after negotiating a coalition with the German social democrats, while Feijóo, with more than 33% of the votes, could not access La Moncloa.
The PP predicts increasing deterioration for Sánchez
At the top of the PP, they also believe that "everything is going to get worse" for the Executive, as cases of corruption affecting the PSOE and the president's circle accumulate with the "negligent" action in Ceuta for "ignoring warnings" about the massive arrival of irregular migrants, from which they expect "more revelations and data" in the coming weeks. "He will pay before Justice and at the polls," Feijóo warned Sánchez last week in the Plenary of Congress.
Despite this, Feijóo's environment admits that, at a moment of "decadence" and "internal war" within the Government itself, the PP cannot afford mistakes or improvisations. For that reason, the party leader sent a 'WhatsApp' last Thursday to 'barons' and territorial officials assuming the role of 'community single command' and, in addition to demanding "prudence" and "coordination," urged them to follow the speech set by 'Génova' to the letter.
Although the crisis in Ceuta erodes the Government, the PP now rules out a motion of censure understanding that it would divert attention when, in their opinion, it is better to let the Executive "cook." "The putrefaction is greater every day," comments privately a deputy secretary of the PP, who adds that "the corpse is on the table" with a legislature "exhausted" and a Government "dead."
Territorial offensive and new visit from Feijóo to Catalonia
With less than 300 days until the general elections, within the 'popular' ranks they assure that they face the final stretch of the legislature ready to settle scores and give "revenge" to Sánchez when he sets the electoral date, which they assume as "a settling of scores." "The PP cadres have returned from vacation emotionally plugged in and eager to measure themselves against the left at the polls," sources from Feijóo's team acknowledge to Europa Press.
This pre-electoral tension will be reflected in the coming months in intense territorial activity, given that Feijóo has activated his steering committee to tour all the provinces. The PP leader himself will deploy a very tight agenda that will take him to all the autonomous communities, aware that he has "a historic responsibility," according to sources from his environment.
For now, next weekend Feijóo will return to Catalonia to participate in an event with PPC affiliates, knowing that this community is crucial to reach La Moncloa due to the high number of seats at stake. Currently, the 'popular' have six deputies (five from Barcelona and one from Tarragona), but they aspire to strengthen their presence in the City of Condal and obtain representation in Lleida and Girona, as sources from the party have indicated to Europa Press.