Negotiations between PP and Vox in Extremadura have entered a decisive phase after weeks of deadlock in the investiture of María Guardiola. In the popular leader's circle, they assure that understanding is very advanced and place the level of coincidence at “90%”, while asking for “responsibility” to close the agreement.
This change of pace occurs especially after the results in the elections of Castilla y León, which have reinforced the idea that the electorate penalizes institutional blockages. In the PP they interpret that this scenario has pushed Vox to move its position in the negotiations.
Furthermore, Vox's national leadership now has less room to delay regional agreements, at a time when the party has already expressed its intention to enter several governments, including that of Extremadura, which directly influences the development of the conversations.
As a sign of the proximity of the pact, the leadership of the Extremaduran PP has asked deputies and high-ranking officials not to travel in the coming days given the possibility that the agreement will be closed imminently, even before Holy Week.
From Guardiola's circle they insist that the basis of the agreement is practically defined and they keep the door open to Vox entering the autonomous Executive: “Let them enter if they want”, they point out, making it clear that they do not rule out that option if it facilitates the agreement.
In Aragon, where there are also open negotiations, the PP adopts a more prudent tone and focuses the debate on the content of the policies. From the circle of Jorge Azcón they raise doubts about Vox's intentions: “Do they want seats?”, they ask, insisting on prioritizing a programmatic agreement.
Even so, in this community, as in Castilla y León, the popular party shows a preference for governing alone. However, they admit that Vox's entry would not be a definitive obstacle if it is the condition to reach an agreement.
In the case of Castilla y León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco opts for a parliamentary pact with Vox, without their entry into the regional Government. The president defends a joint program “of four years” and agrees with Santiago Abascal that “what is important are not the seats”.
