Former president José María Aznar urged the PP on Thursday to stay calm amid Vox's growth during his book launch in Madrid. He called on citizens to mobilize against Spain's 'rift' and ruled out a motion of censure against the government. He stressed that the PP remains the only constitutionalist party.
On Thursday, October 30, 2025, José María Aznar presented his book 'Order and Freedom: Non-Negotiable Principles and Tasks in Defense of Liberal Democracy' at the Rafael del Pino Auditorium in Madrid. Addressing an audience that included PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and former ministers like Jaime Mayor Oreja, Aznar discussed Spain's political situation following corruption scandals eroding the government and benefiting Vox, particularly among young voters.
Aznar calmed PP ranks, referencing the boos to Valencian president Carlos Mazón at the funeral for DANA victims and Pedro Sánchez's Senate questioning over the Koldo case. 'Being in political opposition is like preparing for an exam to become a tax inspector or notary. It's an unfortunate situation because you're working all day but don't get results until the exam', he said. He ruled out a motion of censure: 'If there are no grounds for a motion of censure, and there aren't, then we must wait for elections. Feeding frustration feeds extremist positions'.
He labeled Vox as 'xenophobic' and stated: 'The only constitutional party left in Spain is the PP. And Vox's sole objective is to end the PP'. In contrast, he appealed to citizen responsibility: 'Spaniards cannot be spectators of Spain's rift. We must intervene in our country's destiny. (...) Whoever can do something, should do it'. He quoted Antonio Maura: 'Spain will be fixed if Spaniards stop being spectators of their own suicide'.
On international matters, Aznar criticized the government for supporting the 'dictator in Venezuela', defended Israel amid the Gaza situation –'If Israel is defeated, the West and Spain are defeated'– and regretted the clash with Donald Trump. He emphasized freedom from central positions, not extremes, amid rising populisms.