PSOE worries street unrest could boost right-wing parties promising order

A wave of demonstrations, some escalating into clashes in A Coruña and Barcelona, has unsettled the PSOE’s electoral plan that hinges on high turnout among left-leaning voters. Party insiders warn that the violence could be turned into a political weapon by the PP and Vox, who are framing the disturbances as evidence of socialist mismanagement. Leaders such as Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Ignacio Garriga have publicly blamed the government for the chaos.

Within the PSOE, senior strategists including Óscar López, Óscar Puente, Félix Bolaños, María Jesús Montero, Rebeca Torró and Pilar Bernabé are debating how to balance a strong response without alienating voters. The situation is further complicated by a planned general strike on 11 November, which could amplify tensions ahead of the election.