Socialist defeat in Andalusia opens door to Spanish far right

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Spain’s governing socialists have suffered their worst ever defeat in a regional election in Andalusia, paving the way for the conservative People’s party to form a government if they are willing to join forces with the far-right Vox party. The regional PP leader, Juan Manuel Moreno, has so far shown little willingness to do so, telling a radio station last week that he would “try to govern alone”. Vox wants Spaniards to be prioritised over foreign-born people for benefits and housing, and previously floated, then retreated on, the idea of deporting up to eight million people. This stance is at odds with the governing Socialist party, which recently signed off on plans to give legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants. Andalusia is the most populous region in Spain and was a Socialist stronghold before 2019.