Feijóo launches PP precampaign for Nov 29 election with national reconstruction pledge

Alberto Núñez Feijóo opened the People's Party precampaign for the November 29 general election with a rally at Madrid's IFEMA convention center on Saturday. He was joined by Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso, Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, former prime ministers Mariano Rajoy and José María Aznar, and party secretary general Miguel Tellado.

Feijóo promised a "serene but forceful change" and a "total national reconstruction" of institutions so that no one believes power stands above the law. He pledged a government that will ask citizens for sacrifice and declared that November 29 begins "a new democratic history of Spain."

“Spain needs to open a new time and we are going to open it. We will rebuild our institutions so that no one ever thinks again that power is above the rules.”

The PP leader challenged Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to reveal who ordered the removal of Judge Beatriz Biedma, who was investigating Sánchez's brother. Feijóo linked the case to an alleged network involving the extremeño Rochos clan and called it a democratic question Sánchez must answer.

Feijóo barely mentioned housing, the issue that triggered the snap election after Congress rejected two housing decrees. He used the word "housing" only once in his 20-minute speech, promising to end "false promises" and "fiscal asphyxia." Party sources say they do not fear housing dominating the campaign.

Ayuso labeled protesters camping at Puerta del Sol over the eviction death of Maricarmen as "terrorists" and defended those who carried out the eviction. Martínez-Almeida contrasted the government's "no peace in the streets" rhetoric with what he called the PP's "campaign of joy."

Earlier Thursday, Feijóo convened the PP's National Board of Directors — over 300 party officials — to approve the campaign team and mobilize the organization. He warned against overconfidence and repeating 2023 errors, urging members not to fall into government "traps."

The precampaign follows Sánchez's Monday election call after a weekend of reflection prompted by the parliamentary defeat on housing decrees, voted down by PP, Vox, Junts and UPN.