Briefing
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, chairman of the Partido Popular (PP), declared on 9 October 2026 that he was willing to take part in a direct TV debate with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and also to join a debate with the leading candidates of the largest parties. The PP has proposed the 16 November 2026 for the direct debate; for the debate between the four largest parties, it has proposed 26 November 2026 . Both dates would therefore fall in the final stages of the campaign ahead of the parliamentary election on 29 November 2026.
The invitation to the “cara a cara” came from Mediaset; Atresmedia has offered a debate format involving several candidates. Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) had previously proposed its own package of three debates on 5 October 2026, including a direct debate between Sánchez and Feijóo. The RTVE formats on offer named 17 November 2026 as a possible date. Whether and in what form the individual offers go ahead now depends on further discussions between broadcasters and parties.
The PP has made its appearances on public-service programmes conditional on interviews and election formats taking place in the broadcaster’s own production facilities, rather than being outsourced to external companies. This demand comes amid ongoing debate about production responsibility, editorial independence and balance in reporting. RTVE says its proposals are based on pluralism and equal treatment.
From the point of view of election organisation, all formats must also comply with the requirements of the Junta Electoral Central ; details on speaking times, studio locations and technical arrangements are still open and are expected to be finalised in the coming days.
The key point remains: the PP has announced that it will take part in a direct TV debate with Pedro Sánchez and a four-way debate; broadcasters and the other parties must now confirm the dates and conditions.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).