Vox insists on 'national priority' for Andalusia deal but leaves cabinet entry open, saying talks are progressing 'slowly but well'
The far-right party's national spokesman says policy changes and public aid priority for Spaniards are essential, while direct participation in the regional government remains an open question. Negotiations with the conservative PP are advancing 'slowly but well' after initial contacts.
Negotiations begin after PP loses majority
Following the Andalusian regional election on 17 May, in which the Popular Party lost its absolute majority, Vox and the PP began negotiations this week to secure the investiture of acting president Juanma Moreno. The first contact between negotiating teams took place on Tuesday 9 June, and Vox's national spokesman, José Antonio Fúster, said on Monday that the talks are progressing 'slowly but well'. Ignacio Garriga, the party's secretary general, separately appealed for 'discretion and prudence', stressing that Vox is focused on policy measures rather than government posts.
The 'national priority' demand
Vox has made the principle of 'national priority' — giving Spaniards priority over foreigners in access to public aid and services — a non-negotiable condition for its two votes. Fúster described it as 'an obligation, without any doubt' and said Moreno 'already knows what we want'. The demand mirrors clauses already introduced in coalition agreements in Extremadura, Aragón and Castilla y León. Vox points to opinion polls suggesting broad public support for the measure across ideological lines.
It is an obligation, without any doubt. Everyone knows it, and nobody talks about anything else.
Cabinet entry left open
Unlike its approach in three other autonomous communities, Vox is not making participation in the Andalusian government a precondition for its parliamentary support. Fúster said the party is open to various formulas: 'The form of compliance can be very different in each region. If we have guarantees that this will happen as agreed, great. If we believe that Vox must be in the governments for those measures to be implemented and deadlines met, great as well.' Garriga echoed this, saying the priority is to change policies, not to occupy ministerial posts.
Strategic recalibration within Vox
The more flexible stance marks a shift from the position taken by party leader Santiago Abascal in March, when he declared that Vox would enter regional governments. Party sources suggest the leadership is now weighing whether, ahead of a general election, it is more advantageous to present itself as a minority partner in a PP-led executive or as an external force conditioning policy from outside. The decision in Andalusia could set a precedent.
- Andalusian regional election: PP loses absolute majority, Vox wins 14 seats.
- First meeting between Vox and PP negotiating teams.
- Constitutive session of the Andalusian parliament; Vox obtains no seat on the parliamentary board.
- Vox spokesman Fúster and secretary general Garriga confirm talks are ongoing, demand 'national priority' and leave cabinet participation open.
Broader policy agenda and discretion
Beyond immigration and the priority-nationality principle, Garriga listed housing, taxation, agricultural protection and the housing emergency among the issues Vox wants to address. He said the party will proceed 'measure by measure' and urged the PP to maintain the same discretion, cautioning that a 'headline' could derail the talks. 'We are conscious of the opportunity we have and we will not waste it,' he said.
