The national leadership of the PP headed by Alberto Núñez Feijóo intends that the Nuevas Generaciones congress scheduled for July become a platform to attract more support among young voters, a segment in which Vox has advanced strongly in recent years. For now, the president of NNGG of Madrid, Ignacio Dancausa, has stepped forward, although in the party they do not rule out that more aspirants may emerge.
"From Génova we neither induce nor stop candidacies," sources from Feijóo's team have indicated to Europa Press, who recognize that this conclave set for July 11 will serve to test the "skills" of its youth quarry and evaluate its "successes."
Last May 18, the National Executive Board of the PP chaired by Feijóo approved the call for the NNGG congress, in which the replacement of Beatriz Fanjul will take place, also a deputy in Congress for Vizcaya and at the head of the youth organization since April 11, 2021.
Formal call and requirements for candidacies
Next Monday, the call for the conclave to renew the NNGG leadership will be formalized and the period for registering candidacies will open. The organization's Statutes establish that, to be proclaimed a pre-candidate, it is essential to gather the support of at least one hundred affiliates.
In this context, Fanjul has summoned the NNGG Executive Board this May 25 in the afternoon —maximum body between congresses—, in which all regional presidents of the youth organization sit as ex officio members.
"If someone wants to take the step, the logical thing is that they express their will in that meeting," sources from Nuevas Generaciones have indicated to Europa Press, who insist that this congress should not be interpreted as a contest between the two souls of the party, the harder and the more moderate.
Last Wednesday, the president of Nuevas Generaciones of Madrid, Ignacio Dancausa, announced on social media that he had conveyed to the national leadership of the PP his intention to run for the congress. "I want to lead an inclusive candidacy that unites Spanish youth and the organization, the largest in Spain at this crucial moment for our generation," he affirmed.
More names in the pools and neutrality of "Génova"
Dancausa, a 25-year-old student pursuing a double degree in Public Management and Administration and Economics at the Complutense University of Madrid, has the backing of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's PP of Madrid, with whom she shares the idea of fighting the cultural battle.
A few days ago, the spokesperson for the PP in the Assembly of Madrid, Carlos Díaz-Pache, applauded her decision to run because "she has been fighting in all the universities." Furthermore, he highlighted that "she has transformed the NNGG organization in Madrid" and "made it grow," incorporating "many people" and giving it "a turn in its dynamism" and "modernization."
Other potential candidates are being considered in internal discussions, such as the young deputy in the Valencian Courts Candela Anglés or Antonio Landáburu from Murcia, president of NNGG in that community. It remains to be seen if any of them will finally make a move next week, once the congress is officially convened.
Sources from Nuevas Generaciones have indicated to Europa Press that "there is no official candidate" and that "Génova is not getting involved" in the process. From the national PP, they express similar views, emphasizing that "they are not going to put forward a candidate" and that "there is no official list." They also believe that the conclave is an opportunity for their young members to start "learning the ropes." "We neither induce nor stop candidacies," they reiterated.
Internal rules if several pre-candidacies compete
The National Congress of NNGG — which will be held on July 11 — will elect the president of the youth organization and the 35 members of the National Executive Committee, as well as 30 members for the National Board of Directors.
The Statutes of NNGG stipulate that the election of the national president will take place at the Congress through delegates chosen from open lists. They specify that those aspiring to the Presidency must register their pre-candidacy with the corresponding Organizing Commission "between seven and fifteen days following the convocation" of the conclave and that, to be proclaimed a pre-candidate, "it will be necessary to present the support of at least one hundred members."
The internal regulations add that, if two or more pre-candidacies are registered, the Organizing Commission will proclaim the pre-candidates within a maximum of 48 hours and will open an internal electoral campaign of up to 21 days. "The Organizing Commission will guarantee all candidates equal opportunities, ensure the neutrality of the organization, and oversee transparency throughout the entire process," they emphasize.
Likewise, the Statutes establish that "if any of the pre-candidates obtained more than 50% of the total valid votes cast by the members, had achieved a difference equal to or greater than 15 points over the rest of the pre-candidates and had been the most voted in half of the constituencies will be proclaimed before the Congress as the sole candidate for the Presidency of Nuevas Generaciones".