Spain’s far right took office in a string of Spanish cities and in a powerful region over the weekend by forging coalition agreements with the moderate right, in a move that may foreshadow a broader alliance to govern the country after next month’s general elections.
The agreements came about three weeks after the center-right Popular Party crushed Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s left-wing coalition in regional and local elections.
To secure control of dozens of cities, the Popular Party struck coalition deals with the far-right Vox, which also performed well, embracing part of the party’s nationalist, anti-migrant agenda.
Both parties will now govern together in some 25 cities of more than 30,000 residents, including five regional capitals, giving Vox, a party once considered anathema by most voters, crucial political leverage.
They have also teamed up to run the wealthy Valencia region, which accounts for 10 percent of Spain’s population.
Persons:
Spain’s, Pedro Sánchez’s, Vox, Sandra León, ”
Organizations:
Popular Party, Carlos III University
Locations:
Valencia, Madrid