Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo: "Sánchez quiere división, que suba Vox para que pierda el PP"

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces a critical political test during a general election scheduled for November 29, with opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo positioning his campaign around a narrative of restoring public decency and countering what he describes as a systematic erosion of democratic institutions. The People’s Party, known as the PP, aims to capitalize on widespread dissatisfaction with the current government, framing the vote not merely as a choice between left and right, but as a binary decision between integrity and corruption. Feijóo’s strategy relies heavily on mobilizing voters through a rejection of the incumbent administration rather than generating enthusiasm for his own candidacy. The central figure in this opposition effort is Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, who was named number two on the PP list for Madrid. She received the news of her placement late Wednesday night. In her first interview following the announcement, she described her role as galvanizing citizens to act as "militants of democracy." She argued that the Spanish public has recognized that the upcoming election will set the moral standard for public life. Álvarez de Toledo characterized the years under Sánchez as an era defined by scandal, citing allegations involving jewelry, sexual services, and organized crime. She stated that removing Sánchez from power is a national ethical urgency and that the PP is promoting a revolution of decency. Álvarez de Toledo warned that if Sánchez wins re-election, Spain would enter a self-destructive spiral. She alleged that the current president has attempted to undermine democratic checks and balances, including attacks on independent media, colonization of public television, and efforts to control the judiciary to ensure personal impunity. She described the current situation as a mutation from a full democracy to a failed one, predicting chaos and civil confrontation among territories and factions if the status quo persists. She emphasized that the primary commitment of the PP is to depoliticize institutions, restore public morality, reinforce the state, rebuild the middle class, and save civil peace. Feijóo’s own rhetoric has drawn scrutiny regarding his stance on gender equality. During an interview on the radio program Hoy por Hoy, he declared himself a feminist because he grew up surrounded by women. Critics have dismissed this claim as a cliché, comparing it to claiming expertise in furniture simply by living among chairs and bookshelves. They noted that scientific studies do not support the idea that proximity to female family members automatically fosters progressive views on gender roles. One study published in The Journal of Politics found that men raised with younger sisters tended toward more conservative positions on gender roles. Another study by sociologists Dalton Conley and Emily Rauscher linked having daughters to increased identification with the Republican Party in the United States, though it did not find evidence that daughters made parents more progressive regarding women's issues. This rhetorical approach contrasts with specific policy announcements by the PP. Feijóo has indicated an intention to abolish the Ministry of Equality as an independent department, integrating its functions into another ministry. He has also reopened the debate over abortion rights, dismissing the issue as a debate of the past while proposing parental involvement for abortions performed by sixteen and seventeen-year-olds. He compared this requirement to the authorization needed for teenagers to get tattoos, though he did not clarify what would happen if parents objected. This stance aligns with his coalition partner, Vox, which continues to promise the repeal of abortion laws. Although the PP voted against a Vox initiative in October 2025 to repeal abortion and euthanasia laws, the party had previously supported a Vox motion in the Madrid city council to inform women seeking abortions of a supposed post-abortion trauma. Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeido later acknowledged that this concept lacked scientific basis. In parallel, pro-government voices are organizing events to highlight women's leadership and challenges. On October 28, the third edition of the Visibles conference took place at the Espacio Bertelsmann in Madrid. The event featured speeches by Equality Minister Ana Redondo, who discussed progress and persistent inequalities. Other speakers included journalist Olga Rodríguez, who spoke on Middle East affairs and human rights, and a panel moderated by Montserrat Domínguez focusing on women in the energy transition. Participants such as Eva Pagán, Sara Pizzinato, and Laura Fernández Cavas analyzed how female talent enables new levels of responsibility in industry. A separate roundtable addressed the harassment faced by women in public spaces, featuring Sarah Santaolalla, Tesh Sidi, and Sara Solomando. The day concluded with a performance by monologist Marina Lobo. The political landscape remains tense as both sides frame the election as existential. Opposition figures argue that the left will not accept defeat and may resort to violence, a claim they describe as "civil warism." Meanwhile, the government maintains that the opposition is attempting to divide the right-wing vote to benefit itself. With polls suggesting the PP may lose ground to Vox, the ruling party emphasizes its narrative of resilience. The outcome of the November 29 vote will determine whether Spain continues under Sánchez’s leadership or shifts to a PP-led government focused on institutional restoration.