People's Party
A clear guide to People's Party (PP) in Spain: its history, conservatism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Spain
- Founded
- 1989 (refounded from People's Alliance, 1976)
- Position
- Centre-right
- Leader
- Alberto Núñez Feijóo
- Headquarters
- Madrid
The People's Party (Partido Popular, PP) is Spain's main conservative and Christian democratic party. It won the most seats in the 2023 general election but could not form a government, and it leads the opposition to Pedro Sánchez. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, former president of Galicia, has led it since 2022. The PP governs most of Spain's regions.
History
The party was refounded in 1989 from People's Alliance, created in 1976 by former Franco minister Manuel Fraga, absorbing smaller Christian democratic and liberal parties. José María Aznar led it to power in 1996 and won an absolute majority in 2000.
Mariano Rajoy governed from 2011 to 2018 through the eurozone crisis, until he was removed by a no-confidence vote after a court found the party had benefited from the Gürtel corruption scheme. Pablo Casado led it from 2018 until an internal crisis in 2022, when Feijóo took over.
Economic Policy
The PP favours lower taxes, budget discipline, less regulation and support for business. Its regional governments have cut or abolished wealth and inheritance taxes. It opposes many of the Sánchez government's tax increases on banks and energy companies.
Foreign Policy
The PP is strongly pro-European, pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine. It is a member of the European People's Party.
Where They Stand
- Opposes the amnesty for Catalan independence leaders
- Favours lower taxes, including on wealth and inheritance
- Supports budget discipline and less regulation
- Takes a firmer line on irregular immigration
- Is strongly pro-European and pro-NATO
Electoral Record
The PP won 33.1 percent and 137 seats in July 2023, the most of any party, and 34.2 percent in the 2024 European election. It relies on agreements with Vox in several regions.
Position on the Political Compass
People's Party sits on the right-leaning side on economics and is more authoritarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
José María Aznar
Prime Minister, 1996 to 2004
Led the party to power and to an absolute majority in 2000.
Mariano Rajoy
Prime Minister, 2011 to 2018
Governed through the eurozone crisis and the 2017 Catalan crisis.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Party president since 2022
A former president of Galicia who led the party to first place in 2023.
Sources and Further Reading
- People's Party (Spain) (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitepp.es
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Spain political test to see how your views compare with People's Party and the other parties.
Take the Spain Test
Social Policy
The party is conservative on many social issues but has accepted same-sex marriage. It strongly opposed the 2024 amnesty law for Catalan independence leaders and defends Spanish national unity. It has hardened its line on irregular immigration.