Madrid's regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso has criticized the 'national priority' clause in the PP-Vox agreement in Extremadura, which prioritizes Spaniards over migrants in public services. She stated that such requirements are not legal and infringe on established rights. Vox's spokesperson in Madrid replied by demanding the same in future regional talks.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of Madrid's regional government, voiced opposition on Friday from Brussels to a key clause in the PP-Vox deal in Extremadura. The agreement enables María Guardiola's investiture four months after the regional elections. The disputed provision calls for reforming the immigration law to enforce 'national priority,' giving Spaniards preferential access to aid, public services, and social housing over migrants.
"I believe in the rule of law and order, so you can't illegally exclude anyone from requirements they have rights to. Since the law must be complied with, many of those requirements are not legal," Ayuso stated. She added: "You can't leave anyone out of a system they have contributed to, for example, excluding them from the healthcare system."
Ayuso first congratulated Guardiola on her electoral win and urged getting to work, but noted she has no authority in Extremadura matters. The pact commits to improving Extremadura's public health system by ensuring accessible care for Spaniards, though healthcare is a regional competence bound by national universal access laws. A March 2026 royal decree strengthened access for foreigners without legal residence.
PP and Vox acknowledge their limited powers and pledge to demand legal changes from the central government. In reply, Vox spokesperson in Madrid's Assembly, Isabel Pérez Moñino, warned on social media that her party will enforce the same priority in Madrid after the 2027 elections: "Like it or not. [...] 2027. Tic, tac."
