Dolors Montserrat, a Member of the European Parliament and spokesperson for the European People’s Party, has been chosen as the lead candidate for the upcoming European elections on June 9th by the Popular Party (PP). Montserrat, who previously served as Minister of Health, Social Services, and Equality from 2016 to 2018, will be heading a candidate list that includes three former leaders of Ciudadanos, including their last leader, Adrián Vázquez, as well as philosopher and former leader of UPyD Fernando Savater. The PP leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has opted for continuity by selecting Montserrat as the number one candidate, after considering an external candidate that did not come to fruition. Feijóo made the announcement of Montserrat’s candidacy during a campaign event in Figueres, describing her as a “Catalan through and through”, emphasizing the importance of Catalonia in Spain’s convictions.
Montserrat’s selection as the lead candidate was widely expected within the PP, especially after her main rival for the position, Esteban González Pons, was appointed as the campaign director for the elections. González Pons, who is a close ally of Feijóo, is reportedly aiming for a position in the EU institutions, making the head of list role unnecessary for him. Feijóo decided to maintain Montserrat as the number one candidate while giving González Pons the campaign director role. It remains to be seen how their cooperation will unfold once they start working together within the European Parliament. Montserrat’s prominence within the PP has been on the rise, as Feijóo also wanted her to be a candidate in the Catalonia elections, where she is currently leading the campaign.
Feijóo’s decision to maintain Montserrat as the lead candidate in the European elections and appoint González Pons as the campaign director mirrors the approach taken in the Catalonia elections, where Alejandro Fernández remains the head of list despite Génova’s initial intention to replace him with Montserrat. Feijóo has chosen a dual leadership structure to avoid internal conflicts within the party, with Montserrat leading the European campaign and Fernández leading the campaign for the Catalan Parliament. Some sources within the PP see Montserrat’s multiple roles as a sign of Feijóo’s limited trust in other party members. Montserrat’s move to Europe takes her out of the race to lead the Catalan PP, with the party congress being the next organic step yet to be finalized.
Montserrat has been a rising figure within the PP under Feijóo’s leadership, notably for her role in leading the party’s strategy to challenge the Sánchez government at the EU level, particularly in regards to the controversial amnesty law. Montserrat has defended the party’s stance against the Sánchez government, highlighting the role played in Europe in denouncing the actions of former Catalan president Puigdemont and the Sánchez administration. Montserrat’s main rival in the upcoming European elections is Teresa Ribera, the current Vice President and Minister for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, who leads the candidacy for the PSOE. The PP sees their main challenge as being from Vox, as they aim to solidify their position against their right-wing competitor.
In conclusion, Dolors Montserrat has been selected as the lead candidate for the PP in the upcoming European elections, with Alberto Núñez Feijóo emphasizing the importance of her Catalan roots in representing the party. Montserrat’s appointment comes after internal deliberations within the party, with the positioning of Esteban González Pons as campaign director reflecting Feijóo’s strategy for maintaining unity within the ranks. Montserrat’s dual roles in both the European and Catalonia campaigns demonstrate the delicate balance of power within the PP under Feijóo’s leadership, with the party aiming to consolidate its position against both the PSOE and Vox in the upcoming elections.
