More than five million people are eligible to vote in these elections, convened in March by Isabel Diaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid and PP candidate, for fear of losing power through a censure motion.

Judging by previous polls, the PP should keep control over the richest and most influential autonomous community (region) in Spain.

Even, several polls predicted that it would double its May 2019 result and would win the absolute majority at the Assembly (unicameral Parliament), set at 69 of 136 seats.

However, not being able of governing alone, the PP would need support from the far-right Vox party, something Diaz Ayuso considered would not be ‘the end of the world’, despite the xenophobic messages from that party.

Voters in Madrid will have to choose ‘between socialism or freedom,’ said the neoliberal leader when announcing the early regional elections, which will only be valid for two years, as Madrid citizens will have to vote again in 2023.

jg/iff/mem/edu