Spain’s socialists shed voters in regional election as far right makes gains

Vox doubles its seats in Extremadura as Socialist Workers’ party, mired in corruption scandals, loses 10 of its 28 seats

Spain’s ruling Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE), already reeling from a series of corruption and sexual harassment scandals, has suffered another blow with a disastrous showing in Sunday’s regional election in the north-western region of Extremadura.

The PSOE lost 10 of its 28 seats as the far-right Vox party doubled its representation on two years ago from five to 11 seats.

Extremadura, long a leftwing heartland, fell to the conservative People’s party (PP) led by María Guardiola in 2023, who has governed in a shaky coalition with Vox.

Guardiola called a snap election after Vox refused to approve her budget but her hopes of winning an absolute majority were dashed when the PP fell four short of the necessary 33 seats, leaving her once again dependent on a resurgent Vox to form a government.