Following his April primaries win, Álvaro Sánchez Cotrina, 39-year-old from Cáceres—the first secretary general from that province—has been proclaimed PSOE Extremadura's new leader at an extraordinary congress. He included all primary challengers in his team, criticized the PP-Vox government deal, and predicted its collapse within a year.
The extraordinary congress in Mérida marks the conclusion of PSOE Extremadura's renewal after the December 2021 election loss and Miguel Ángel Gallardo's resignation. Building on his 58.95% primaries victory over Soraya Vega Prieto, Sánchez Cotrina's executive—approved by 88.2% of delegates—integrates rivals including Vega Prieto (Autonomous Policy), Lara Garlito (Institutional Policy), Blanca Martín (Internal Coordination), with Marisol Mateos as president and others in key roles.
'No one is left out. I am just one more,' Sánchez Cotrina said, praising the democratic process. He blamed the election defeat on disconnection from the base, internal disunity, and a prosecuted candidate.
Sharply attacking the PP-Vox pact under María Guardiola—backed by Feijóo—he called it 'illegal, immoral, and a humiliation,' creating 'first- and second-class citizens' via 'national priority' policies and changes to foreign residents' laws. Citing Vox's claim 'there is no food for everyone,' he defended immigrants and returning Extremadurans, invoking the region's emigration history. He forecasted the pact lasting less than a year, with Vox aiming to politically destroy Guardiola.
Endorsements included José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero urging PP to scrap the deal, Rebeca Torró decrying the 'denialist marriage,' and Pedro Sánchez labeling it an 'infamy.' Sánchez Cotrina pledges a unified left focused on public services, rejecting polarization and 'spectacle politics.'
