People's Party (Spain)

People's Party (Spain). The People's Party is a major centre-right and conservative political force in Spain, founded in 1989 as a refoundation of the People's Alliance. It has governed Spain under prime ministers José María Aznar and Mariano Rajoy, and is a member of the European People's Party and the International Democrat Union. As the primary opposition to the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, it holds a significant presence in the Congress of Deputies, the Senate, and many autonomous communities.

History

The party's origins lie in the People's Alliance, founded by former minister under Francisco Franco, Manuel Fraga. Following the Spanish transition to democracy, it was re-established in 1989 as the People's Party under the leadership of José María Aznar. Aznar led the party to victory in the 1996 election, forming a government with support from Convergence and Union and the Basque Nationalist Party. His administration oversaw Spain's adoption of the euro and supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, facing domestic backlash after the 2004 Madrid train bombings. After losing the 2004 election to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, the party returned to power under Mariano Rajoy following the 2011 election, navigating the aftermath of the Great Recession and the Catalan independence crisis. A motion of no confidence in 2018, prompted by the Gürtel case corruption scandal, ousted Rajoy, leading to a period of leadership under Pablo Casado before Alberto Núñez Feijóo assumed the presidency in 2022.

Ideology and political positions

Ideologically, the party blends liberal conservatism, Christian democracy, and economic liberalism. It traditionally emphasizes national unity, opposing separatist movements in Catalonia and the Basque Country, and advocates for a strong role for Catholic values in public life. Economically, it supports market-oriented reforms, privatization, and fiscal austerity, as seen during the 2012–2013 Spanish financial crisis. On foreign policy, it maintains a strongly pro-Atlanticist and pro-NATO stance, fostering close ties with the United States and the European Union. Its social policy positions are generally conservative, though it has moderated on some issues over time.

Electoral performance

The party has consistently been one of Spain's two dominant political forces. Its first national victory came in the 1996 general election, and it secured an absolute majority in the 2000 election. After defeats in 2004 and 2008, it returned to power with a majority in 2011. Following the rise of Citizens and Vox, its vote share declined, losing its majority in the April 2019 election. It has, however, maintained a powerful presence in regional and local government, controlling numerous autonomous communities like Madrid and Andalusia, and leading many major city councils including Madrid and Valencia.

Organization and structure

The party is organized hierarchically, with its highest body being the National Congress of the People's Party, which elects the party president. Its executive committee is the National Executive Committee of the People's Party. It is structured into federations in each of Spain's autonomous communities and local branches in municipalities. The party's youth wing is New Generations of the People's Party. It maintains close ties with affiliated think tanks and foundations, such as the FAES foundation, and has a strong presence in civil society organizations. The party is financed through a combination of public subsidies, membership fees, and private donations, regulated by the Court of Auditors.

Leadership

The party has been led by a succession of prominent figures. Its first president was Manuel Fraga, who transitioned from leading the People's Alliance. José María Aznar served as president from 1990 to 2004, also holding the office of Prime Minister of Spain. He was succeeded by Mariano Rajoy, who was party president from 2004 to 2018 and served as Prime Minister of Spain from 2011 to 2018. Following Rajoy's ouster, Pablo Casado led the party from 2018 until his resignation in 2022 after an internal conflict. The current president, elected in 2022, is Alberto Núñez Feijóo, former long-time President of the Xunta de Galicia.