In the run-up to Spain’s parliamentary election, Voxleader Santiago Abascal warned in late October 2026 that a shift by the Partido Popular under Alberto Núñez Feijóo further to the right could weaken the centre-right camp. Abascal argues that this risks blurring the profiles of Vox and the Partido Popular, prompting voters to switch between the two parties. He made these remarks during several public appearances and party statements in recent days.
Abascal also called for clear policy differences to be maintained. In his view, the Partido Popular risks losing the trust of centre-right voters if the distinctions become blurred. The appearances and remarks were reported by, among others, RTVE and laSexta. Meanwhile, reports have quoted people close to the Partido Popular as saying that they want to avoid an open conflict with Vox during the pre-campaign; the latest outlines of this approach were reported by Público.
The dispute comes during an intense mobilisation phase ahead of the 29 November 2026. Servimedia documented how the snap election has sharpened the tone in the right-wing camp in recent weeks. In this context, Abascal has repeatedly criticised Feijóo, for example on economic and security policy, while also appealing for unity among his own supporters. Feijóo, in turn, presents the Partido Popular as a broad home for centre-right voters, without committing to a break with Vox.
Analytically, the situation points to a recurring tension: tactical alignment on specific issues can attract additional voters in the short term, but risks eroding distinctiveness. Election research and commentary cited by Spanish media see potential for short-term vote switching – these are predictions, not findings about actual voter movements. Specific voter decisions will only become clear on election day.
Implications for the final weeks before the election: both parties are under pressure to articulate their core positions precisely while remaining appealing to the wider centre-right spectrum. Abascal is banking on Vox staying true to its profile, while Feijóo is seeking breadth in the centre-right field. How these strategies will affect the distribution of votes between Vox and the Partido Popular remains unclear, but it is shaping the tone of the campaign on the right.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).