What would Spain governed by Feijóo be like?

MadridAlberto Núñez Feijóo's frustration at not being able to govern this legislature is palpable in the Senate. Given the impossibility of implementing his program, in the last two years the popular leader has used the upper house as a kind of showcase for what Spain governed by him would be like. Although the PP's absolute majority there is sterile because Congress blocks legislative initiatives, far from standing still and throwing in the towel, the popular parliamentary group has approved about forty laws in the upper house. For now, they cannot be applied, but from the Senate, the popular party members media-wise claim them as the alternative to Pedro Sánchez and propose the work done on these draft laws as a basis from which to start working when Feijóo arrives at Moncloa. A scenario in which they are confident from 2027 onwards. This is a portrait of what an eventual Spain governed by the PP would be like according to the initiatives they have proposed in the Senate:

Anti-squatting measures and housing construction

The rule that launched this strategy and was dubbed "the first Feijóo law" aims to "protect the right to private property" against occupations. The text provides for forced eviction just 24 hours after the requirement to leave the property, which will not be considered the illegal occupant's domicile. It also toughens the Penal Code for these cases. The initiative was used to argue that "while Sánchez is busy giving in to Puigdemont's pressure, the PP is focused on solving Spaniards' problems," in the words of the Popular Party spokesperson in the Senate, Alicia García. The upper house took the rule into consideration in early February 2024, in the midst of the amnesty law's processing in Congress. It has been in a drawer in Congress ever since — the period to amend it has been extended 79 times, which keeps it blocked — but the Popular Party periodically reclaims it.

They did it in November 2025, almost two years later, when the Popular Party boasted of having approved in the Senate "the 37th Feijóo law" of the legislature, also focused on "anti-occupations". In this second case, the norm modifies the Penal Code once again to protect the owner by establishing that the cutting off of supplies "from an illegally occupied property can in no case be considered a crime of coercion". In housing matters, six months earlier the PP approved a land law that repeals the tense market zones that allow limiting rental prices and that seeks to streamline construction by establishing a maximum period of three months for issuing building permits.

Conciliation

In an attempt to contest the social agenda, Feijóo also promoted a law on family conciliation and co-responsibility approved in May last year. In a text prior to the increase to 19 weeks of paternity and maternity leave established by the Spanish government, the PP foresaw a leave of 16 weeks and opened the door to "progressive extension" up to 20 "within the framework of social dialogue". A difference introduced by the popular text is that the first six weeks do not have to be taken immediately after childbirth, although both parents would have to take at least six obligatorily during the child's first year of life. The norm also foresees the gratuity of education from 0 to 3 years with a co-financing model between the State and the autonomous communities with the option of giving direct aid to families who do not enroll their children in this age group.

Security forces and symbols

Another set of rules is focused on improving the conditions of the security forces and the Spanish army by granting the possibility for agents of the Guardia Civil, National Police, and military personnel to retire early with the consideration of "at-risk professions." Another law recognizes prison officials as agents of authority. Furthermore, in February of this year, the Senate approved "a new Feijóo law" to protect State symbols, which establishes the obligation for public authorities and high-ranking officials to respect and protect the flag, the coat of arms, and the anthem of Spain, and which provides for sanctions in case of non-compliance.

Tax reductions

Tax cuts are one of the PP's favorite banners, which has also been displayed in the upper house not only with bills but also by trying to introduce amendments to other regulations originating from Congress. Some examples are the reduction of VAT on meat, fish, eggs and other basic foods or the exemption from personal income tax of the minimum interprofessional wage and taxes on aid to people affected by thalidomide, and a broader reform of the taxation applied to the agricultural sector which reduces its burden. Among other things, it foresees the increase of thresholds for applying special taxation regimes and an expansion of deductions.

Terrorism and ETA

Several of the laws passed in the Senate focus on the now-defunct ETA. The most recent, passed in March of this year, modifies the functions of the Prosecutor's Office so that it can act ex officio when there are acts of glorification of terrorism or homage to prisoners convicted of this crime. Another norm establishes a change in "the requirements for the classification or progression of grade for persons convicted of terrorism" to prevent Sánchez from "granting prison benefits to ETA prisoners" in view of "the need to have the support of EH Bildu" or a previous one that prohibits those convicted of terrorism from running on electoral lists.

Repeat offending and immigration

Before the Congress definitively approved Junts' law against repeat offending, the PP had already approved its own proposal to toughen the punishment for petty theft and fraud. Also through the Senate, the popular party has tried to limit the regularization of immigrants with the support of the Junts and Vox. They have done so via amendment or by supporting a bill from the far-right. As on all previous occasions, the PP has run into the PSOE's blockade through the tools available to the Spanish government and the presidency of the Congress to halt their legislative initiative.