The change in the primary system opens a challenge before the PP congress.

Alberto Núñez Feijóo announced yesterday that he would call a PP congress this coming July to fine-tune the project ahead of the upcoming elections. A congress where, in addition to seeking the support of the leader, he also plans to propose far-reaching reforms that are already sparking debate within the PP ranks. In this regard, the Génova leadership's intention to propose, in the reform of the bylaws, a change in the system for holding primaries to elect the party's president would be met with rejection by the president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and her entourage.

As this newspaper reported, and although the proposals and possible amendments are still pending, this initiative being considered by Génova is not to the liking of the Madrid president's entourage. The reform was on the table, especially after the turbulent 2018 congress, which was won by Pablo Casado. A modification was then considered so that the delegates—and not the party members in the first instance—would carry out this election, which always facilitates control by the party leadership.

The PP of Madrid and Catalonia have supported the holding of primaries

Currently, a two-round system is in place. In the first round, members vote, and in the second, delegates—members elected to attend the party congress—have the final say.

In any case, Ayuso has no intention of challenging Feijóo for the leadership now, but it is a tool to consider in the future and is typically defended by those with the support of the party's membership. In this regard, the president of the Catalan People's Party (PP), Alejandro Fernández, has spoken out in recent years in support of the system of party-voted primaries to strengthen the democratic system.

Feijóo is aware that holding an extraordinary congress with a political report and organizational changes can always open up complex debates, but yesterday he already had the support of the PP leaders, and in this sense, the closing of ranks ahead of this final stretch of the legislature and future general elections is solid.

Read also Feijóo considers calling the PP congress in July and analyzes the pros and cons. Cristina Sen

On the horizon ahead of legislative elections, and if Sánchez completes his term, the only regional elections on the agenda are those in Castile and León and Andalusia. Among the pending regional congresses, those in Catalonia and Valencia are still scheduled, for different reasons.

On the ideological front, the PP congress this July will also address relations with Vox, where there are differing opinions, with supporters of cutting ties with the far right and others advocating leaving the doors open in anticipation of future political scenarios. This debate connects with the European People's Party congress held in Valencia, where distances were drawn from the far right.