After the surprising result of the Catalan elections, amnesty has returned to the forefront of the PP agenda. Alberto Núñez Feijóo has resumed his total offensive against the pardon measure during the European campaign after briefly putting it aside. Despite the majority support in Catalonia advising a more moderate approach, the PP needs to mobilize the right to defeat the PSOE on June 9. The party has revived its critical discourse and street protests against the pardon for Catalan independentists, which is seen as a key motivator for their supporters. Feijóo believes he will win, but is cautious about the unexpected resistance from Vox, so he has asked other party leaders for support.
In order to win the European elections, the right wing must be mobilized. Both the PP and the PSOE are concerned about low voter turnout, which was at 64.2% in the last elections in 2019, and the possibility of protest votes in these elections. Feijóo has urged the regional leaders of the PP to get heavily involved in the campaign to ensure victory. He has also advised them to avoid getting caught up in discussions about the end of the Catalan independence movement, given the differing opinions within the party. The contradictions in the discourse around the independence movement reveal the challenges for the PP in maintaining a consistent message against the amnesty issue.
The anti-Sánchez sentiment will be a major focus of the PP’s European campaign. The party aims to gather feedback from the Spanish population regarding their opinion of Pedro Sánchez, leveraging on the discontent that some segments of the electorate feel towards the leader. The party plans to exploit the opportunity to pose as an alternative to the current government, employing tactics such as protests and demonstrations to communicate their stance. The PP will also touch on other familiar themes in their discourse, including criticism of Bildu and questioning the president’s personal connections.
The PP will also compete with Vox on issues related to agriculture and environmental policies, positioning themselves as distinct from the far-right party by not attacking Brussels or the 2030 agenda. The party is considering re-introducing the discourse on immigration, linking it to criminal activity, depending on the evolution of the far-right vote. The resistance of Vox poses a concern for the PP, as the party has shown resilience and maintained a stable base of support, which may impact the European elections.
Feijóo’s participation in the campaign and his efforts to rally support for the PP have been met with mixed results. While the PP is poised for a strong performance in the European elections, they are aiming for a simple victory without expecting a broad margin. The party has adjusted its strategy to focus on activating its supporters by creating a sense of tension and urgency in the messages conveyed. Feijóo’s leadership remains unchallenged within the party, with no internal opposition at present. Despite the uncertainties, the PP remains focused on achieving success in the upcoming elections.
Overall, the PP’s campaign strategy for the European elections is centered around mobilizing the right-wing base, leveraging anti-Sánchez sentiments, and distinguishing themselves from Vox on key policy issues. Feijóo’s leadership and the party’s approach to the campaign reflect a cautious optimism and a determination to secure victory in the face of significant challenges and competition from other political players. The campaign will likely intensify in the coming weeks as the party aims to consolidate support and capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with the current government.
