Spanish voters are heading this Sunday for regional and municipal elections, the results of which will serve as a barometer for general elections at the end of the year.

Voting takes place in 12 regions and 8,000 localities, most of which are currently “controlled” by the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE). Polls predict gains for the conservative People’s Party (PP), which, if repeated in a few months, could see the NP topple the current left-wing coalition.

Voting begins and ends at 20:00. Over 35 million citizens have the right to vote.

The election campaign was marred by numerous controversies, accusations of vote-buying in small towns, and even an unprecedented case of kidnapping.

Opinion polls and experts predict that in many areas the “battle” will be decided by votes with minimal clear majorities. With the exception of the Madrid region, where the NP-backed regional president, Isabel Diaz Ayuzo, stands a good chance of being re-elected with an absolute majority.

Some opinion polls “show” a race for dominance in the Valencia region, which, with a population of almost 5 million, would mean a critical setback for the PSOE. According to public opinion polls, Aragon and the Balearic Islands may also move to PP.

The elections could also mark the beginning of a return to a two-party system dominated by the PSOE and PP, after a decade of increased involvement by smaller parties such as the leftist Podemos, the government’s junior partner, and the centrist Ciudadanos. Both parties are fighting in many areas to capture the necessary 5% to gain representation.

On the other hand, the NP is likely to have to rely on the far-right Vox to form governments in several regions, which looks like a possible precursor to a right-wing coalition government after the general election.

Source: Reuters.