2018 PP leadership election

2018 PP leadership election

← 2017 5 July 2018 (primary) 20−21 July 2018 (congress)
3,082 delegates in the 19th PP National Congress 1,542 delegate votes needed to win
Opinion polls
Registered	67,083
Turnout	58,304 (86.9%) (primary) 2,973 (96.5%) (congress)
Candidate Pablo Casado Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría María Dolores de Cospedal Party PP PP PP Popular vote 19,954, 34.4% 21,512, 37.0% 15,092, 26.0% Delegate vote 1,701, 57.6% 1,250, 42.4% Eliminated   Candidate José Manuel García-Margallo Party PP PP PP Popular vote 688, 1.2% 671, 1.2% 185, 0.3% Delegate vote Eliminated Eliminated Eliminated
Autonomous community results map
President before election Mariano Rajoy Elected President Pablo Casado

The 2018 PP leadership election—officially the 19th PP National Congress—was held on 20−21 July 2018, with a primary election being held on 5 July, after it was called by the party's National Board of Directors on 11 June as a consequence of Mariano Rajoy's resignation as People's Party leader on 5 June.^[1][2][3] Rajoy's decision to resign the party leadership came as a result of a motion of no confidence which had voted down Rajoy's government on 1 June. The leadership election is the first whereby PP members directly participate in choosing a leader for the party. On 26 June 2018, it was announced that only 66,706 PP members out of the 869,535 reported by the party had registered to vote in the election.^[4][5][6]

Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, former Deputy Prime Minister of Spain (2011–2018), and Pablo Casado, the party's Vice Secretary-General of Communication since 2015, topped the poll in the primary election held on 5 July 2018, becoming eligible for the run-off to be held among party's delegates on 20−21 July. After preliminary data was published, Sáenz de Santamaría conceded the election and acknowledged Casado's victory.^[7]

Casado's victory was considered a party swing towards the right.^[8]

Election system[]

Casado between María Dolores de Cospedal and Mariano Rajoy during the 19th National Congress of the PP on 21 July 2018.

The election system consists on a two-round system. In the first round on 5 July 2018, all registered party members who have their payment fees up to date are allowed to vote. In the second round, to be held concurrently with the party congress on 20−21 July, 3,082 delegates will elect the new party leader from among the two candidates who have previously received the most votes. Concurrently with the first ballot, party members will also elect 2,612 out of the 3,082 delegates. No second ballot is required should a candidate obtains at least 50 percent of the vote, secures such a percentage in an absolute majority of the 60 constituencies and is at least 15 points ahead of the runner-up. Candidates required the signatures of at least 100 party members in order to run.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Timeline[]

The timeline of the leadership election is as follows:^[11][13][14]

• 11 June 2018 – Congress called. Start of the application period for party members to register in order to participate in the election.
• 18 June 2018 – Candidate nomination period opens at 12:00 CEST.
• 20 June 2018 – Candidate nomination period ends at 14:00 CEST.
• 22 June 2018 – Proclamation of candidates.
• 23 June 2018 – Internal electoral campaign starts at 10:00 CEST.
• 25 June 2018 – Deadline for party members to register for voting.
• 29 June 2018 – Deadline for party members to apply as delegates (at 14:00 CEST).
• 4 July 2018 – End of internal electoral campaign.
• 5 July 2018 – First round of voting, with all registered party members entitled to vote for candidates in a primary election. Party assemblies held to elect delegates to the congress.
• 20−21 July 2018 – Party congress. If needed, a second round of voting will be held among delegates to elect the party leader among the two most voted for candidates in the first round.

Candidates[]

Proclaimed[]

Candidate			Political offices	Campaign	Announced	Ref.
José Ramón García-Hernández (age 47)			Deputy in the Cortes Generales for Ávila (since 2016) show Other positions Deputy in the Cortes Generales (for Madrid) (2014–2016)	(joserapp.es)	16 June 2018	[15]
Pablo Casado (age 37)			Vice Secretary-General of Communication of the PP (since 2015) Deputy in the Cortes Generales for Ávila (since 2011) show Other positions President of NNGG in the Community of Madrid (2005–2013) Deputy in the Assembly of Madrid (2007–2009)	(pablocasado.es)	18 June 2018	[16]
José Manuel García-Margallo (age 73)			Deputy in the Cortes Generales for Alicante (since 2016) show Other positions Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain (2011–2016) Member of the European Parliament (for Spain) (1994–2011) Deputy in the Cortes Generales (for Valencia) (1986–1994) Deputy in the Cortes Generales (for Melilla) (1977–1982)	(margallocandidato.es/)	18 June 2018	[17]
Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría (age 47)			Deputy in the Cortes Generales for Madrid (since 2004) show Other positions Deputy Prime Minister of Spain (2011–2018) Minister of the Presidency and for Territorial Administrations of Spain (2016–2018) Minister of the Presidency of Spain (2011–2016) Spokesperson of the Government of Spain (2011–2016) Spokesperson of the PP Group in the Congress of Deputies (2008–2011)	(sorayapp.es)	19 June 2018	[18]
María Dolores de Cospedal (age 52)			Secretary-General of the PP (since 2008) President of the PP of Castilla��La Mancha (since 2006) Deputy in the Cortes Generales for Toledo (since 2015) show Other positions Minister of Defence of Spain (2016–2018) President of the Junta of Communities of Castilla–La Mancha (2011–2015) Deputy in the Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha (for Toledo) (2007–2015) Leader of the Opposition in the Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha (2007–2011) Senator in the Cortes Generales (appointed by the Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha) (2006–2011) Regional Minister of Transport and Infrastructures of the Community of Madrid (2004–2006) Secretary of State of Security of Spain (2002–2004) Undersecretary of Public Administrations of Spain (2000–2002)	(primeroelpp.es)	19 June 2018	[19]
Elio Cabanes (age 43)			City Councillor of La Font de la Figuera (since 2011)	—	20 June 2018	[20]

Announced[]

A further candidate, José Luis Bayo, announced his intention to run for the primary election, but was rejected by the PP Organizing Committee as a result of not meeting the endorsement requirements in time.^[21][22]

Candidate		Political offices	Announced	Ref.
José Luis Bayo (age 40)		President of NNGG in the Valencian Community (2000–2008)	18 June 2018	[23]

Declined[]

• Alfonso Alonso (age 51) — Deputy in the Basque Parliament (for Álava) (since 2016); President of the PP of the Basque Country (since 2015); Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality (2014–2016); Deputy in the Cortes Generales (for Álava) (2000–2002 and 2008–2016); Spokesperson of the PP Group in the Congress of Deputies (2011–2014); City Councillor of Vitoria (1996–2008); Mayor of Vitoria (1999–2007)^[24]
• José Ramón Bauzà (age 47) — Senator in the Cortes Generales (appointed by the Parliament of the Balearic Islands) (since 2015); Deputy in the Parliament of the Balearic Islands (for Mallorca) (2011–2015); President of the Balearic Islands (2011–2015); President of the PP of the Balearic Islands (2009–2015); Mayor of Marratxí (2005–2011)^[25][26]
• Cristina Cifuentes (age 53) — President of the PP of the Community of Madrid (2017–2018); President of the Community of Madrid (2015–2018); Deputy in the Assembly of Madrid (1991–2012 and 2015–2018); Government's Delegate in Madrid (2012–2015); First Vice President of the Assembly of Madrid (2005–2012)^[27]
• Alberto Núñez Feijóo (age 56) — President of the Xunta de Galicia (since 2009); President of the PP of Galicia (since 2006); Deputy in the Parliament of Galicia (for Pontevedra) (since 2005); Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Galicia (2005–2009); First Vice President of the Xunta de Galicia (2004–2005); Regional Minister of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Housing of Galicia (2003–2005)^[28]
• Ana Pastor (age 60) — President of the Congress of Deputies (since 2016); Deputy in the Cortes Generales (for Pontevedra) (since 1996); Minister of Development of Spain (2011–2016); First Vice President of the Congress of Deputies (2008–2011); Minister of Health and Consumption (2002–2004); Undersecretary of Interior of Spain (2001–2002); Undersecretary of the Presidency of Spain (2000–2001); Undersecretary of Education and Culture of Spain (1999–2000)^[29]
• Mariano Rajoy (age 63) — Prime Minister of Spain (2011–2018); President of the PP (2004–2018); Deputy in the Cortes Generales (for Pontevedra and Madrid) (1986 and 1989–2018); Leader of the Opposition (2004–2011); Secretary-General of the PP (2003–2004); Spokesperson of the Government of Spain (2002–2003); Minister of the Presidency of Spain (2000–2001 and 2002–2003); Minister of the Interior of Spain (2001–2002); First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain (2000–2003); Vice Secretary-General of the PP (1990–2003); Minister of Education and Culture of Spain (1999–2000); Minister of Public Administrations of Spain (1996–1999); President of AP/PP in Pontevedra (1987–1991); Vice President of the Xunta de Galicia (1986–1987); President of the Provincial Deputation of Pontevedra (1983–1986); City Councillor of Pontevedra (1983–1986); Regional Director of Institutional Relations of Galicia (1982); Deputy in the Parliament of Galicia (for Pontevedra) (1981–1985)^[30][2]
• Íñigo de la Serna (age 47) — Minister of Development of Spain (2016–2018); Deputy in the Parliament of Cantabria (2015–2016); President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (2015–2016); Mayor of Santander (2007–2016); City Councillor of Santander (2003–2016); President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (2012–2015)^[31]

Endorsements[]

Pablo Casado[]

Elio Cabanes[]

María Dolores de Cospedal[]

José Ramón García-Hernández[]

José Manuel García-Margallo[]

Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría[]

Opinion polls[]

Poll results are listed in the tables below in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first, and using the date the survey's fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. If such date is unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed in bold, and the background shaded in the candidate's colour. In the instance of a tie, the figures with the highest percentages are shaded. Polls show data gathered among PP voters/supporters as well as Spanish voters as a whole, but not among party members, who are the ones ultimately entitled to vote in the primary election.

PP voters[]

showPolling firm/Commissioner	Fieldwork date	Sample size													Other /None	?	Lead
			Cabanes	Casado	Cospedal	García- Hernández	García- Margallo	Sáenz de Santamaría	Bayo	Pastor	Feijóo	Serna	Alonso	Cifuentes
Demoscopia Servicios/OKDiario[p 1]	20 Jul 2018	566[i]	–	49.5	–	–	–	35.7	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14.8	13.8
NC Report/La Razón[p 2][p 3]	8–14 Jul 2018	600	–	42.5	–	–	–	42.8	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14.7	0.3
Sigma Dos/El Mundo[p 4]	9–12 Jul 2018	?	–	29.7	–	–	–	56.9	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	13.4	27.2
ElectoPanel/Electomanía[p 5]	5–10 Jul 2018	?	–	48.8	–	–	–	51.2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	2.4
Demoscopia Servicios/OKDiario[p 6]	28 Jun–2 Jul 2018	447[i]	0.2	16.8	18.8	0.4	1.8	16.3	–	–	–	–	–	–	4.3	41.4	2.0
IMOP/El Confidencial[p 7]	22–27 Jun 2018	500	0.1	22.2	11.9	1.2	6.4	45.2	–	–	–	–	–	–	12.9		23.0
Demoscopia Servicios/OKDiario[p 8]	22–24 Jun 2018	330[i]	0.0	16.7	15.2	0.3	2.4	14.5	–	–	–	–	–	–	4.8	46.1	1.5
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 9]	19–22 Jun 2018	?[ii]	–	–	31.2	–	–	52.6	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	16.2	21.4
			–	22.8	16.2	2.3	4.0	47.8	0.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	6.9	25.0
		?[iii]	–	–	38.2	–	–	52.5	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	9.3	14.3
			–	18.6	12.0	3.5	9.2	49.3	0.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	7.3	30.7
GESOP/El Periódico[p 10][p 11]	11–13 Jun 2018	800	–	–	8.6	–	–	27.0	–	14.1	33.1	6.1	–	–	0.6	10.4	6.1
DYM/El Independiente[p 12][p 13]	11–12 Jun 2018	1,019	–	–	5.7	–	–	33.1	–	11.5	37.3	–	–	–	7.0	5.4	4.2
GAD3/ABC[p 14]	7–8 Jun 2018	800	–	4.1	7.6	–	–	23.1	–	5.8	37.0	–	–	–	22.4		13.9
Invymark/laSexta[p 15]	4–8 Jun 2018	?	–	–	7.1	–	–	43.2	–	7.9	30.3	2.5	–	–	–	9.0	12.9
MyWord/Cadena SER[p 16][p 17]	6–7 Jun 2018	1,215	–	–	6.0	–	–	38.0	–	3.8	39.0	–	1.6	–	0.4	11.2	1.0
ElectoPanel/Electomanía[p 18]	26–28 May 2018	?	–	7.4	1.9	–	1.9	44.4	–	5.6	35.2	–	0.0	–	3.6	0.0	9.2
NC Report/La Razón[p 19][p 20]	3–6 Apr 2018	350	–	–	20.3	–	–	27.7	–	10.6	26.9	–	–	0.6	3.7	10.3	0.8
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 21]	19–29 Mar 2018	?	–	6.0	3.0	–	–	40.0	–	–	24.0	–	–	10.0	10.0	7.0	16.0
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 22]	22–29 Dec 2016	?	–	6.7	5.7	–	–	41.2	–	–	26.7	–	–	1.9	4.2	13.6	14.5
Sigma Dos/El Mundo[p 23][p 24]	16–18 Feb 2016	?	–	5.2	–	–	4.2	52.5	–	–	10.8	–	–	12.2	–	15.1	37.4
^ Jump up to: a b c PP councillors. ^ Current PP voters. ^ PP voters in 2016.

Spanish voters[]

showPolling firm/Commissioner	Fieldwork date	Sample size												Other /None	?	Lead
			Casado	Cospedal	García- Hernández	García- Margallo	Sáenz de Santamaría	Bayo	Pastor	Feijóo	Serna	Alonso	Cifuentes
YouGov/Huffington Post[p 25]	10–12 Jul 2018	1,005	22.0	–	–	–	30.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	48.0	8.0
Sigma Dos/El Mundo[p 4]	9–12 Jul 2018	1,000	27.3	–	–	–	44.2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	28.5	16.9
ElectoPanel/Electomanía[p 5]	5–10 Jul 2018	882	40.1	–	–	–	59.9	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	19.8
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 9]	19–22 Jun 2018	1,000	–	29.0	–	–	34.9	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	36.1	5.9
			9.6	10.8	1.3	10.4	32.4	0.4	–	–	–	–	–	–	35.1	21.6
GESOP/El Periódico[p 10][p 11]	11–13 Jun 2018	800	–	5.8	–	–	27.5	–	11.6	20.4	6.0	–	–	0.3	28.6	7.1
DYM/El Independiente[p 12][p 13]	11–12 Jun 2018	1,019	–	5.7	–	–	24.9	–	11.7	19.5	–	–	–	26.3	11.9	5.4
YouGov/La Vanguardia[p 26]	8–11 Jun 2018	1,004	–	4.0	–	–	26.0	–	7.0	18.0	3.0	–	–	12.0	31.0	8.0
GAD3/ABC[p 14]	7–8 Jun 2018	800	3.2	4.4	–	–	20.3	–	8.4	22.0	–	–	–	41.7		1.7
Invymark/laSexta[p 15]	4–8 Jun 2018	?	–	5.4	–	–	23.1	–	11.5	26.8	4.5	–	–	–	28.7	3.7
Top Position[p 27]	4–7 Jun 2018	1,200	–	–	–	–	33.4	–	–	31.6	–	–	–	35.0		1.8
MyWord/Cadena SER[p 16][p 17]	6–7 Jun 2018	1,215	–	5.1	–	–	23.5	–	7.7	22.8	–	2.8	–	4.7	33.4	0.7
ElectoPanel/Electomanía[p 18]	26–28 May 2018	1,425	4.2	2.1	–	5.3	32.2	–	7.5	17.9	–	0.7	–	13.4	16.7	14.3
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 21]	19–29 Mar 2018	1,000	2.0	2.0	–	–	18.0	–	–	9.0	–	–	6.0	21.0	42.0	9.0
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 22]	22–29 Dec 2016	800	4.3	2.4	–	–	33.2	–	–	8.9	–	–	11.0	12.5	27.7	22.2
Sigma Dos/El Mundo[p 23][p 24]	16–18 Feb 2016	1,000	5.1	–	–	2.5	33.6	–	–	8.2	–	–	14.6	–	36.0	19.0

Results[]

Overall[]

By region[]

By province[]

References[]

Opinion poll sources

Other