Frente Amplio unveils largely new congressional slate, retaining only ten incumbents
Frente Amplio's candidate list for the upcoming Congress election features a major turnover, with just ten sitting deputies kept and Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun as the sole minister on the ticket.
Frente Amplio has presented a dramatically refreshed list of candidates for the forthcoming congressional election, retaining merely ten deputies who held seats during the last legislature. Culture minister Ernest Urtasun is the only member of the minority executive branch to feature, positioned second on the Barcelona list. The slate is anchored by Ada Colau, the coalition's candidate for prime minister, and Emilio Delgado, who tops the Madrid list for Más Madrid.
While some experienced politicians remain, including Verónica Barbero, Tesh Sidi and Toni Valero, several senior ministers—Yolanda Díaz, Mónica García, Sira Rego and Pablo Bustinduy—have opted out of the ballot. The lineup also incorporates former Sumar and Podemos figures, as well as regional leaders from Compromís, IU, and other allied groups, reflecting a broad but renewed political alliance.
Why it matters
The candidate overhaul signals a strategic shift for Frente Amplio ahead of the national election, affecting its electoral prospects.
How this story developed
- Oct 15 PSOE internal analysis says unified left list could secure Senate absolute majority
- Oct 18 The PP chief used a Barcelona gathering to boost its prospects in the province that supplies the most seats in the upcoming vote. Vox sent Carlos Hernández Quero to EsRadio and euro-deputy Jorge Buxadé to a press conference in Sevilla. Meanwhile, civil groups such as PararLaGuerra launched a campaign in Madrid to bring Netanyahu before the International Criminal Court, and minister Ángel Víctor Torres appeared on a televised interview. The day also featured commentary on language policy, social media influence, and the pending Supreme Court ruling on the ‘grandchildren law’ voting rights.
- Oct 19 The quarterly barometer, funded by the Junta de Andalucía, indicates that the People's Party under Juanma Moreno would remain the most voted force in the region, though it would not regain an absolute majority. The Socialist Party, led nationally by Pedro Sánchez, appears to be losing support, while the far-right Vox and the regional Adelante Andalucía both show notable gains. The coalition Por Andalucía, headed by Antonio Maíllo, is projected to stay roughly steady.
- Oct 23 The deep-fake video, featuring Begoña Gómez, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Santos Cerdán, was posted by the PP and labeled as AI-generated. The PSOE says it may sue, while the PP claims the clip is satirical. Legal scholars note broad protection for political speech in Spanish and European law but warn about potential violations of honor, image rights and electoral manipulation. The episode also brings attention to pending legislation regulating AI-created media.
- Oct 23 A Senate poll projection was released showing the PSOE‑Frente Amplio bloc ahead with 114 seats.
- Oct 23 Feijóo publicly declared he will pursue government formation even without his party winning the most votes.
- Oct 25 The PSOE announced it is studying legal options over the PP’s AI‑generated video.
- Oct 25 Feijóo disclosed a meeting with Abascal to discuss a Senate power‑share deal.
- Oct 25 Feijóo gathered PP list leaders in Salamanca as negotiations on a joint Senate list with Vox continued.
- Oct 27 PP and Vox finalized their Senate agreement.
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