Spain holds 1st nationwide local elections in 4 years

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - More than 35 million voters in Spain are expected to cast their ballots on Sunday in the country's first nationwide elections since 2019.

They will choose local leaders including mayors, provincial heads and 12 out of 17 Spain's regional presidents.

This critical vote will provide insight into how the nation has evaluated its leaders following a turbulent period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and escalating living costs.

The results may offer a glimpse into the survivability of Spain's progressive coalition government in the general elections later this year, although local issues remain a central concern.

As Spain's traditional two-party system has fractured, the election will also highlight how the parties are viewing alliances.

For example, the far-right Vox party formed its first regional governing coalition with the conservative Popular Party after the 2022 regional elections in Castille and Leon. Similar pacts could emerge in other regional or local governments, and even at the national level later this year.

Exit polls will not be published but results are expected to emerge at around 10 p.m. local time (2000GMT).