Spain's political calendar heats up as parties unveil election lists and clash over recent unrest
Ahead of the 29-November general election, the government met to declare a disaster zone in La Safor, while the PP presented its Madrid slate with Ayuso and Álvarez de Toledo, and opposition parties held press briefings on Barcelona and Bilbao disturbances.
On Tuesday the Spanish cabinet, led by Pedro Sánchez, approved a catastrophic-zone status for municipalities in the flood-affected La Safor comarca. In Madrid, Alberto Núñez Feijóo unveiled the People's Party's electoral list for the capital, accompanied by regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso and second-placed candidate Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo. Vox intensified its pre-election push with events in Plasencia and a public rally in Zamora.
Sumar representatives Gerardo Pisarello, Alberto Ibáñez and Podemos deputy Ione Belarra held a press conference, urging an investigation into TikTok accounts they say fueled the recent disturbances in Barcelona and Bilbao and accusing the PP and Vox of politicising the unrest. The regional party Comuns announced it would pull its Senate tickets in Girona, Lleida and Tarragona under an agreement with the PSC to block a PP-Vox majority. Additional developments included a criminal complaint by Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida against former government delegate Francisco Martín over the Sol El Sol camp, and debates over AI-generated deep-fake videos targeting political figures.
Why it matters
The story shows how Spain's main parties are positioning themselves and responding to civil unrest ahead of a pivotal national election.
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 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 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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