Elections to the Parliament of Galicia, candidates for the presidency: profile and proposals

Galicia Go to the polls this Sunday, February 18. An appointment that will be decided by the president who will rule the government Xunta for the next four years and which since the start of the campaign has been characterized by the unknown about the absolute majority of which the PP enjoyed four terms there.

The latest research from the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) before the elections yields strong figures BNG increase (24-31 seats) at the expense of the PSdeG-PSOE (9-14), while the PP (34-38) retains the same deputies, but without guaranteeing a majority.

Alfonso Rueda (PP), Ana Pontón (BNG), José Ramón Gómez Besteiro (PSOE) and Marta Lois (Sumar) are the main candidates who will compete for the 75 seats: 25 deputies for A Coruña; 14, by Lugo; 14, for Ourense and 22, for Pontevedra – which are at stake. Pontón is the only one to repeat in the race to preside over the Xunta.

More than 2.6 million people are called to the polls, and everything indicates that the external mood (nearly 18%) will be crucial.

Alfonso Rueda (People’s Party)

After the election of Alberto Núñez Feijóo as the new leader of the Popular Party and his resignation to continue presiding over the Junta and the PP of Galicia, Alfonso Rueda (Pontevedra, 1968) ran to succeed him in both positions. In May 2022 he was appointed President of the Government of Galicia.

He graduated in law and was a local government official before making the leap into politics. Under the motto ‘Galicia that works’, the program covers all areas, from health and education to employment, taxes and housing. The biggest challenge is to maintain the PP’s absolute majority in Galicia.

Ana Ponton (BNG)

Ana Pontón (Lugo, 1977) repeats herself as a candidate for the Galician Nationalist Bloc. She is running for election for the third time and this time she would have the opportunity to become the first woman to preside over the Xunta. After the 2020 elections, in which she achieved a historic result for BNG, she became leader of the Galician opposition.

She has a degree in political science and administration and wants to make history by leading a ‘new era in Galicia’. She presents herself as a staunch defender of public services, including a rescue plan for primary health care, and she is the leader most appreciated by Galicians.

José Ramón Gómez Besteiro (PSdeG-PSOE)

José Ramón Gómez Besteiro (Lugo, 1967), current congressman for the province of Lugo, is the candidate chosen by the PSdeG for the ‘change of direction’ sought by the Socialists. The country is faced with the challenge of “changing the history of Galicia”, and to this end it promises lines of action ranging from the green economy to public services and self-government.

He developed his entire political career at the PSdeG-PSOE, a party he joined after completing his university law studies. He was the first President of the Provincial Council of Lugo (2007 and 2015), after twenty-four years of popular rule. Between April and June 2023 he was also a delegate of the Government of Spain in Galicia.

Marta Lois (add)

After leaving Sumar’s spokesperson in the Congress of Deputies, Marta Lois (Pontevedra, 1969) presents herself for this party. She held the position of Councilor for Equality, Economic Development and Tourism in Santiago de Compostela from 2015 to 2019 and has been President of Sumar since its inception.

With a PhD in political science, her challenge will be to achieve representation in the Galician parliament after En Marea suffered a setback in 2020 and lost all its seats. Under the motto ‘A country project’, her election manifesto focuses on equality and diversity, with special attention to public services.