The Electoral defeat of the PSOE in Extremadura The first victim has been claimed. Less than 24 hours after posting the worst results in the region's history—a region the Socialists have governed for 36 of the last 42 years—Miguel Ángel Gallardo has resigned as the party's regional leader. He maintains that it is a "logical and well-considered decision"—he communicated it to Pedro Sánchez on Sunday—to "assume political responsibility" for the debacle and hopes it will give the PSOE a "new impetus." He leaves with his "head held high," and maintains that he has worked with "honesty and sincerity," but with minimal self-criticism: "I apologize to the citizens if at any time I have fallen short," he simply stated. Before his resignation was announced, even voices within the Socialist ranks, such as the president of the Cáceres Provincial Council, had called for their leader to step down. Gallardo's leadership has been ephemeral after two historic leaders: the almost two years he will have been general secretary of the PSOE of Extremadura -since March 2024- contrast with the mandate of Guillermo Fernández Vara -sixteen years- and Juan Carlos Rodríguez Ibarra -twenty years-.

The first round of the new electoral cycle leaves Alberto Núñez Feijóo still tied to Vox, Pedro Sánchez weakened, and Santiago Abascal catapulted to power. The people of Extremadura went to the polls after eighteen months without national elections and sent a message that could have echo in Spanish politics and repercussions in the upcoming elections – in the coming months there will be elections in AragonCastile and León and Andalusia—. Although they were regional elections, the PSOE was taking a gamble after the latest cases of alleged corruption and the cascade of sexual harassment allegationsHe pinned all his hopes on Miguel Ángel Gallardo, a candidate who will go to trial alongside the Spanish president's brother, and the defeat has been resounding. An "unmitigated" defeat and "very adverse" results, as he himself acknowledged. However, the PP's victory—its second triumph in Extremadura elections in 43 years—is bittersweet: María Guardiola is nearing an absolute majority, but gains only one seat after the early election The victory was triggered by Vox's rejection of the budget and continues to depend on the far right, which doubled its vote share. However, the party leadership in Madrid is presenting the victory as a "landrending victory for the ages."

Four parties have a chance of gaining parliamentary representation in the Assembly of Extremadura. In descending order of support, according to the polls, they are the PP, PSOE, Vox, and Unidas por Extremadura. We review their candidates for regional president.

On the eve of the Extremadura elections, ARA spent three days exploring a "forgotten" region that is now in the spotlight as it kicks off the new electoral cycle. All polls predict that the PSOE, the party that has historically dominated Extremadura, will lose its top spot to the PP for the second time in 40 years, with Vox on the rise. In addition to explaining the candidates' profiles and providing the latest information, we analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of a region marked by depopulation and the export of raw materials.

The snap election called in Extremadura for December 21st has handed Miguel Ángel Gallardo (Villanueva de la Serena, 1974) the opportunity to run in his first regional elections. The PSOE candidate has received the party's endorsement at the national level, despite facing trial for alleged malfeasance and influence peddling related to the hiring of David Sánchez, brother of the Spanish Prime Minister, at the Badajoz Provincial Council. During the investigation, Gallardo orchestrated the resignation of several members of the PSOE list in order to secure a seat in the regional parliament, gain parliamentary immunity, and have the case heard in the High Court of Justice of Extremadura.