The Galicians decide today if they keep the PP at the head of the Xunta or if they bet on it being replaced by a nationalist woman from the Bloc. This is what is at stake today. There is no doubt that the PP will comfortably win the elections, but there are many doubts as to whether it will be able to retain the absolute majority. Polls predict that the popular Alfonso Rueda will retain it, although very narrowly. There is a certain fatigue of the PP governments in recent years and above all the appearance of the Bloc and its leader, Ana Pontón, is valued as an alternative. This is the most significant point of today’s appointment with the polls.
In one of the communities considered historic, the PP had represented the leadership of Galicianism, acting as if it were the CiU of Catalonia or the PNV of the Basque Country. However, in recent times, despite being a left-wing formation, the Bloc has managed to behave as the central axis of citizens who feel more Galician and who do not want to vote for formations that have a national obedience. The Bloc has clearly surpassed the socialists as an alternative to the PP and, depending on today’s result, it may even occupy the San Caetano building in Santiago. Pontón’s formation has worked very well from the opposition and his candidacy is not something improvised. What seems clear is that, if he does not succeed this time, the next election could be the final one. These fundamental movements that affect the behavior of the electorate are slow but very consolidated.
As always happens in this type of elections, even if they are territorial, there are always readings about the general impact. It is clear that if the PP loses Galicia, Alberto Núñez Feijóo is not going to have a peaceful few weeks. In fact, some illustrious columnists from the capital have already begun to move his chair. But the blood will not reach the river. And the same thing happens in the PSOE. Pedro Sánchez will not be affected in the least by what may happen to his party today. His thing is to continue in Moncloa. And that is not at play in this battle.
