The PP emerges as the winner, but the future hangs in the balance

Castilla y León in Vilo: The PP emerges as the winner, but the future hangs in the balance

Regional Elections 2026: A reconfigured political map with uncertain pacts and bipartisanship on the rise.

The polls in Castilla y León have spoken, and the Popular Party, led by Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, once again rises as the most voted force in the regional elections of 2026. With a total of **33 attorneys**, two more than in the previous legislature, and capturing **35.45% of the votes**, the popular party consolidates its position. However, the absolute majority seems elusive, and Mañueco's government once again depends on the **will of a contained Vox**, which has barely added one attorney to reach **14 parliamentarians**.

For its part, the Spanish Socialist Workers Party, led by Carlos Martínez, has shown notable resilience, increasing its representation to **30 attorneys**, two more than it had. This growth, although significant, has not been enough to challenge the PP for victory.

Participation has been one of the most notable data of election day, reaching **65.6%**, which represents an increase of almost **7 percentage points** compared to 2022. This increase in citizen mobilization reflects greater interest in the political future of the autonomous community.

On the flank of the regionalist forces, the Leonese People's Union (UPL) has managed to maintain its **3 seats**, a result that allows it to continue being a relevant actor in the political landscape. However, Soria Now! has experienced a setback, losing two of its representatives and being left with only **one attorney**. For Ávila, for his part, he has managed to retain the seat he already owned.

Political fragmentation has taken its toll on the parties to the left of the PSOE. Neither En Común (IU-Sumar-Equo) nor Podemos-Alianza Verde, which on this occasion have participated separately, have managed to obtain parliamentary representation. The most notorious debacle is that of **Ciudadanos**, which **completely disappears** from the Cortes of Castilla y León, after having obtained a seat in the previous legislature.

Mañueco reinforces its leadership

The PP candidacy, headed by Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, has experienced a notable improvement, **increasing 4 percentage points** in its percentage of the vote and adding around **35,000 more votes** than in the previous elections. This increase has opened a gap of **4.5 percentage points** with respect to Carlos Martínez's PSOE, which has also seen its vote percentage increase to **30.81%**, adding about 6,000 more votes than in 2022.

The overall result paints a scenario where **both main parties reinforce their positions**, adding between them **63 of the 82 seats** in the regional parliament. This phenomenon could be interpreted as a **resurgence of bipartisanship**, at the expense of political forces such as Soria ¡Ya!, Ciudadanos and the formations located to the left of the PSOE.

For its part, **Vox has also experienced growth**, both in percentage of the vote and in votes. Despite this, its progress has been more moderate than expected, without reaching **20% of the votes** that some polls predicted. The candidacy led by Carlos Pollán has remained at **18.90% of the votes**, obtaining just over **230,000 votes**, compared to **214,000 four years ago**, which represents an increase of **1.27 percentage points**.

The regional Parliament will see a reconfiguration of its groups. The coalition formed by UPL and Soria ¡Ya! is dissolved, and the Leonesistas will be integrated into the **Mixed Group**, along with the representatives of Por Ávila and Soria ¡Ya!. This will imply a loss of a parliamentary group in the Cortes.

The provincial map: popular dominance and socialist surprises

The analysis by province reveals **domination of the PP in Salamanca, Burgos and Ávila**. In contrast, the **PSOE has prevailed in Soria**. In the remaining provinces—León, Valladolid, Zamora, Palencia and Segovia—both parties have tied in number of seats. However, in percentage of the vote, the PSOE has led in León, while the PP has been the most voted force in the other four.

Vox has maintained a similar line to that of four years ago in terms of seats, only managing to add representation in Soria, where it has capitalized on the decline of Soria ¡Ya!.

The **large victory of the PP in Salamanca** stands out, with **42.99% of the votes**, the highest percentage at the provincial level. This victory has allowed Mañueco to add **five attorneys** in his native province, compared to three from the PSOE and two from Vox.

In Burgos, the PP has achieved a **narrow victory** with **35.12% of the votes** and **5 seats**, beating the PSOE by just **1,500 votes** (34.25% and 4 seats). In Ávila, the PP has obtained **36.15% of the votes** (3 attorneys), compared to **24.48% of the PSOE** (2 attorneys).

The socialist victory in Soria seems to be attributed to the pull of its candidate, Carlos Martínez. The PSOE has been the only party to obtain **two attorneys** in this province, with **32.03% of the votes**, while PP (28.79%), Soria Now! (19.87%) and Vox (15.87%) have each obtained one representative.

The closest tie occurred in León, where the PSOE has surpassed the PP by only about **600 votes** (28.27% versus 28.04%), with both parties sharing **four seats each**. The UPL has obtained **20.96%** (3 seats) and Vox **16.49%** (2 seats).

Mañueco: “A government for all based on the PP”

Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, PP candidate for re-election, has offered a “government for all” based on popular principles, and has **explicitly rejected the possibility of agreeing on governability with the PSOE**. Mañueco has announced that he will begin the dialogue to form a government on Monday, recognizing the need for “agreement and pact” on the basis of the PP project, as it is the most supported force.

Martínez (PSOE): “Get out of trouble, there is a second leg”

Carlos Martínez, PSOE candidate, has shown his dissatisfaction with the results and has left the door open to a possible electoral repetition. “To the mess, there is a return match,” he declared, suggesting that the political scene is far from being closed and that “I am very afraid that we will see each other soon.”

Pollán: Vox “will have a decisive influence” in Castilla y León

Carlos Pollán, Vox candidate, has assured that his party will exert a “determining” influence on the policies of the autonomous community. He has highlighted that Vox has “broken the vote ceiling” in these elections, and has emphasized that his party prioritizes “changing things” over achieving “seats.” In the negotiations, Vox will demand “strict guarantees and deadlines for compliance with commitments.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who has won the elections in Castilla y León?

The Popular Party (PP) has been the party with the most votes, obtaining 33 attorneys.

2. Does the PP need to make agreements to govern?

Yes, the PP needs the support of Vox to reach the necessary majority and form a government.

3. How many seats has Vox won?

Vox has obtained 14 attorneys.

4. Has the PSOE improved its results?

Yes, the PSOE has increased its representation to 30 attorneys.

5. Has electoral participation increased?

Yes, participation has risen to 65.6%, almost 7 points more than in 2022.

6. What parties have disappeared from the Cortes?

Ciudadanos has completely disappeared, and the formations to the left of the PSOE have not obtained seats either.

7. In which provinces has the PP dominated?

The PP has dominated in Salamanca, Burgos and Ávila.

8. In which province has the PSOE won?

The PSOE has won in Soria.

9. What has the PP candidate, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, said about the formation of the government?

He has offered a “government for all” with the PP base and has rejected an agreement with the PSOE.

10. What has the PSOE candidate, Carlos Martínez, suggested?

He has suggested the possibility of a repeat election, indicating that “there is a return match.”

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