Álvaro Sánchez Cotrina has been proclaimed the new secretary general of PSOE Extremadura at the 16th Extraordinary Congress held in Mérida, with an executive approved by 88.2% of delegates that includes all his primary rivals. The socialist leader has sharply criticized the PP-Vox government pact, calling it a 'humiliation' for Extremadurans. Figures like José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Rebeca Torró have backed the party's unity and attacked the right-wing agreements.
PSOE Extremadura has opened a new chapter with Álvaro Sánchez Cotrina at the helm, after winning the April 11 primaries with 58.95% of votes against Soraya Vega Prieto's 41.05%. The congress in Mérida ratified the new Regional Executive Commission, with 25 members prioritizing integration of diverse factions.
Marisol Mateos will take the party presidency, Manuel José González Andrade the Territorial Coordination secretaryship and spokesperson role, and Andrés Tovar Núñez the Organization secretaryship. Rivals like Soraya Vega Prieto (Autonomous Policy, International Cooperation and Migration), Lara Garlito (Institutional Policy) and Blanca Martín (Internal Coordination) join the leadership, sealing unity after Miguel Ángel Gallardo's resignation.
Cotrina denounced the PP-Vox pact as 'a humiliation and a shame', an 'amendment to the whole history of Extremadura', marked by emigration. He warned of privatizations and the 'national priority' discriminating against immigrants, stating the right is 'mocking the intelligence of Extremadurans'.
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero urged PP to break the deal: 'Take that signature and to the trash', as it is incompatible with legality and coexistence. Rebeca Torró, federal Organization secretary, called to watch the PP-Vox 'denialist marriage'. Pedro Sánchez, in a video, called it an 'infamy' and attack on Extremadura's essence.