2018 PP national party congress

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3,082 delegates in the National Congress Plurality of delegates needed to win
Opinion polls
Registered	67,083 (primary)
Turnout	58,304 (86.9%) (primary) 2,973 (96.5%) (congress, executive) 2,971 (96.4%) (congress, board)
Candidate Pablo Casado Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría María Dolores de Cospedal Popular vote 19,954 (34.3%) 21,512 (36.9%) 15,092 (25.9%) Delegate vote 1,701 (57.3%) 1,250 (42.1%) Eliminated Board 1,689 (56.9%) 1,251 (42.1%) Eliminated
Autonomous community results map
President before election Mariano Rajoy ElectedPresident Pablo Casado

ThePeople's Party (PP) held its 19th nationalcongress (ofextraordinary nature) inMadrid from 20 to 21 July 2018, to renovate its governing bodies—including the post of president, which amounted to that ofparty leader. Aprimary election to elect the new party president was held on 5 July.

The congress was called by the party's National Board of Directors on 11 June as a consequence of formerSpanish prime ministerMariano Rajoy's resignation as PP leader on 5 June,^[1][2][3] following themotion of no confidence that had voted his government down on 1 June. The leadership election was the first whereby PP members directly participate in choosing a leader for the party. On 26 June 2018, it was announced that only 66,706 PP members out of the 869,535 reported by the party had registered to vote in the election.^[4][5][6]

Formerdeputy prime ministerSoraya Sáenz de Santamaría and the party's Deputy Secretary-general of CommunicationPablo Casado topped the poll in theprimary election held on 5 July 2018, becoming eligible for the run-off to be held among the party's delegates on 20−21 July. After preliminary data was published, Sáenz de Santamaría conceded the election and acknowledged Casado's victory. Casado's win, which was considered a party swing towards the right, was possible through the support to his candidacy of former party secretary-generalMaría Dolores de Cospedal, who had been a bitter rival of Santamaría during the PP's time in government.^[7][8][9]

The congress of the PP was the party's supreme body, and could be of either ordinary or extraordinary nature, depending on whether it was held following the natural end of its term or due to any other exceptional circumstances not linked to this event. Ordinary congresses were to be held every four years and called at least two months in advance of their celebration, though this timetable could be altered for up to twelve months in the event of coincidence with electoral processes. Extraordinary congresses had to be called by a two-thirds majority of theBoard of Directors at least one-and-a-half month in advance of their celebration, though in cases of "exceptional urgency" this deadline could be reduced to 30 days.

The president of the PP was the party's head and the person holding the party's political and legal representation, and presided over its board of directors and executive committee, which were the party's maximum directive, governing and administration bodies between congresses.^[10]

The election of the PP president was based on atwo-round system, introduced in the party statutes during theprevious PP congress in 2017.^[11] Any party member with at least one-year membership was eligible for the post of party president, on the condition that they were up to date with the payment of party fees and that they were able to secure the signed endorsements of at least 100 party members. The election was to be held in the party's 60 constituencies, corresponding to eachprovince andisland of Spain.^[10]

In the first round, all registered party members who had their payment fees up to date were allowed to vote for any of the candidates who had been officially proclaimed by virtue of securing the required number of signatures to run. In the event that no candidate won the first round outright—which required securing at least 50 percent of the national vote, being the most voted candidate in at least half of the constituencies and at least a 15-percentage point advantage over the runner-up—a second round would be held concurrently with the party congress, in which party delegates would elect the new party leader from among the two candidates who had previously received the most votes in the first round. Most of the delegates were to be elected by party members concurrently with the first round of voting to the party leadership.^[12][13][14]

The key dates are listed below (all times areCEST. Note that theCanary Islands useWEST (UTC+1) instead):^[15][16][17]

• 11 June: Official announcement of the congress. Start of application period for party members to register in order to participate in the leadership election.
• 18 June: Start of candidate submission period at 12 pm.
• 20 June: End of candidate submission period at 2 pm.
• 22 June: Proclamation of candidates to the party presidency.
• 23 June: Official start of internalelectoral campaigning (at 10 am).
• 25 June: Deadline for party members to register for voting at 2 pm.
• 29 June: Deadline for party members to apply as delegates at 2 pm.
• 4 July: Last day of internal electoral campaigning.
• 5 July: Primary election (first round of voting, with all registered party members entitled to vote for the proclaimed candidates) and election of congress delegates.
• 20−21 July: Party congress (if needed, a run-off voting was to be held among delegates to elect the party leader among the two most voted candidates in the first round).

Candidate			Notable positions	Announced	Campaign	Ref.
Proclaimed [edit]
Candidates who met endorsement requirements and were officially proclaimed to contest theparty congress.
		José Ramón García Hernández (age47)	Member of the Congress of Deputies forÁvila(since 2015) Executive Secretary of International Relations of the PP(since 2012) Member of the Congress of Deputies forMadrid(2014–2015)	16 June 2018	(joserapp.es)	[18]
		Pablo Casado (age37)	Deputy Secretary-General of Communication of the PP(since 2015) Member of the Congress of Deputies forÁvila(since 2011) President of NNGG in the Community of Madrid(2005–2013) Member of the Assembly of Madrid(2007–2009)	18 June 2018	(pablocasado.es)	[19]
		José Manuel García-Margallo (age73)	Member of the Congress of Deputies forAlicante(since 2016) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain(2011–2016) Member of the European Parliament forSpain(1994–2011) Member of the Congress of Deputies forValencia(1986–1994) Member of the Congress of Deputies forMelilla(1977–1982)	18 June 2018	(margallocandidato.es/)	[20]
		María Dolores de Cospedal (age52)	Secretary-General of the PP(since 2008) President of the PP of Castilla–La Mancha(since 2006) Member of the Congress of Deputies forToledo(since 2015) Minister of Defence of Spain(2016–2018) President of the Regional Government of Castilla–La Mancha(2011–2015) Member of the Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha forToledo(2007–2015) Senator appointed by theCortes of Castilla–La Mancha(2006–2011) Minister of Transport and Infrastructures of the Community of Madrid(2004–2006) Secretary of State of Security of Spain(2002–2004) Undersecretary of Public Administrations of Spain(2000–2002)	19 June 2018	(primeroelpp.es)	[21]
		Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría (age47)	Member of the Congress of Deputies forMadrid(since 2004) Deputy Prime Minister of Spain(2011–2018) Minister of the Presidency and for Territorial Administrations of Spain(2016–2018) Minister of the Presidency of Spain(2011–2016) Spokesperson of the Government of Spain(2011–2016) Spokesperson of the People's Parliamentary Group in the Congress(2008–2011)	19 June 2018	(sorayapp.es)	[22]
		Elio Cabanes (age43)	City Councillor of La Font de la Figuera(since 2011)	20 June 2018	—	[23]
Failed to qualify [edit]
Candidates who announced an intention to run, but failed to qualify due to not meeting endorsement requirements.
		José Luis Bayo (age 40)	President of NNGG in the Valencian Community(2000–2008)	18 June 2018	—	[24] [25] [26]

The individuals in this section were the subject of speculation about their possible candidacy, but publicly denied or recanted interest in running:

• 
  Alfonso Alonso
• 
  José Ramón Bauzá
• 
  Cristina Cifuentes
• 
  Íñigo de la Serna
• 
  Alberto Núñez Feijóo
• 
  Ana Pastor
• 
  Mariano Rajoy

• Alfonso Alonso (age51) —Member of the Basque Parliament forÁlava(since 2016);President of the PP of the Basque Country(since 2015);Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain(2014–2016);Member of the Congress of Deputies forÁlava(2000–2002 and 2008–2016);Spokesperson of the People's Parliamentary Group in the Congress(2011–2014);City Councillor of Vitoria(1996–2008);Mayor of Vitoria(1999–2007).^[27][28]
• José Ramón Bauzá (age47) —Senator appointed by theParliament of the Balearic Islands(since 2015);Member of the Parliament of the Balearic Islands forMallorca(2011–2015);President of the Balearic Islands(2011–2015);President of the PP of the Balearic Islands(2009–2015);Mayor of Marratxí(2005–2011);City Councillor of Marratxí(1999–2011);Vice President of the PP of the Balearic Islands(2007–2009);Deputy Mayor for Urbanism and Health of Marratxí(2003–2005).^[29][30]
• Cristina Cifuentes (age54) —President of the PP of the Community of Madrid(2017–2018);President of the Community of Madrid(2015–2018);Member of the Assembly of Madrid(1991–2012 and 2015–2018);President of the People's Group in the Assembly of Madrid(2015);Delegate of the Government of Spain in the Community of Madrid(2012–2015);First Vice President of the Assembly of Madrid(2005–2012);First Secretary of the Assembly of Madrid(1999–2003).^[27][31]
• Íñigo de la Serna (age47) —Minister of Development of Spain(2016–2018);Member of the Parliament of Cantabria(2015–2016);President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions(2015–2016);Mayor of Santander(2007–2016);City Councillor of Santander(2003–2016);President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces(2012–2015).^[27][32]
• Alberto Núñez Feijóo (age56) —President of the Regional Government of Galicia(since 2009);President of the PP of Galicia(since 2006);Member of the Parliament of Galicia forPontevedra(since 2005);First Vice President of the Xunta de Galicia(2004–2005);Minister of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Housing of Galicia(2003–2005);President of the State Society of Mail and Telegraphs(2000–2003);Secretary-General for Healthcare of Spain(1996–2000).^[27][33]
• Ana Pastor (age60) —President of the Congress of Deputies(since 2016);Member of the Congress of Deputies forPontevedra(since 1996);Minister of Development of Spain(2011–2016);Coordinator of Participation and Sectorial Action of the PP(2008–2012);Second Vice President of the Congress of Deputies(2008–2011);Executive Secretary of Social Policy and Welfare of the PP(2004–2008);Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs of Spain(2002–2004);Undersecretary of Interior of Spain(2001–2002);Undersecretary of the Presidency of Spain(2000–2001);Undersecretary of Education and Culture of Spain(1999–2000).^[27][34]
• Mariano Rajoy (age63) —Prime Minister of Spain(2011–2018);President of the PP(2004–2018);Member of the Congress of Deputies forMadrid(1986 and 2004–2018);Leader of the Opposition of Spain(2004–2011);Secretary-General of the PP(2003–2004);Member of the Congress of Deputies forPontevedra(1986 and 1989–2004);Spokesperson of the Government of Spain(2002–2003);Minister of the Presidency of Spain(2000–2001 and 2002–2003);First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain(2000–2003);Deputy Secretary-General of the PP(1990–2003);Minister of the Interior of Spain(2001–2002);Minister of Education and Culture of Spain(1999–2000);Minister of Public Administrations of Spain(1996–1999);President of AP/PP in the province of Pontevedra(1983–1986 and 1987–1991);Vice President of the Xunta de Galicia(1986–1987);President of the Provincial Deputation of Pontevedra(1983–1986);City Councillor of Pontevedra(1983–1986);Member of the Parliament of Galicia forPontevedra(1981–1985);Director-General for Institutional Relations of Galicia(1982);Deputy Secretary of the Parliament of Galicia(1981–1982).^[1][2][35]

Candidates seeking to run were required to collect the endorsements of at least 100 party members.

Poll results are listed in the tables below in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first, and using the date the survey's fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. If such date is unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed in bold, and the background shaded in the candidate's colour. In the instance of a tie, the figures with the highest percentages are shaded. Polls show data gathered among PP voters/supporters as well as Spanish voters as a whole, but not among party members, who were the ones ultimately entitled to vote in the primary election.

Polling firm/Commissioner	Fieldwork date	Sample size													Other /None	?	Lead
			Casado	Santamaría	Cospedal	Hernández	Margallo	Cabanes	Bayo	Feijóo	Pastor	De la Serna	Alonso	Cifuentes
Congress election	21 Jul 2018	—N/a[a]	57.3	42.1	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	0.6	—N/a	15.2
Demoscopia Servicios/OKDiario[p 1]	20 Jul 2018	566[b]	49.5	35.7	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14.8	13.8
NC Report/La Razón[p 2][p 3]	8–14 Jul 2018	600	42.5	42.8	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14.7	0.3
Sigma Dos/El Mundo[p 4]	9–12 Jul 2018	?	29.7	56.9	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	13.4	27.2
ElectoPanel/Electomanía[p 5]	5–10 Jul 2018	?	48.8	51.2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	2.4
Primary election	5 Jul 2018	—N/a[c]	34.3	36.9	25.9	1.2	1.2	0.3	–	–	–	–	–	–	0.2	—N/a	2.6
Demoscopia Servicios/OKDiario[p 6]	28 Jun–2 Jul 2018	447[b]	16.8	16.3	18.8	0.4	1.8	0.2	–	–	–	–	–	–	4.3	41.4	2.0
IMOP/El Confidencial[p 7]	22–27 Jun 2018	500	22.2	45.2	11.9	1.2	6.4	0.1	–	–	–	–	–	–	12.9		23.0
Demoscopia Servicios/OKDiario[p 8]	22–24 Jun 2018	330[b]	16.7	14.5	15.2	0.3	2.4	0.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	4.8	46.1	1.5
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 9]	19–22 Jun 2018	?[d]	–	52.6	31.2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	16.2	21.4
			22.8	47.8	16.2	2.3	4.0	–	0.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	6.9	25.0
		?[e]	–	52.5	38.2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	9.3	14.3
			18.6	49.3	12.0	3.5	9.2	–	0.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	7.3	30.7
GESOP/El Periódico[p 10][p 11]	11–13 Jun 2018	163	–	27.0	8.6	–	–	–	–	33.1	14.1	6.1	–	–	0.6	10.4	6.1
DYM/El Independiente[p 12][p 13]	11–12 Jun 2018	?	–	33.1	5.7	–	–	–	–	37.3	11.5	–	–	–	7.0	5.4	4.2
GAD3/ABC[p 14]	7–8 Jun 2018	?	4.1	23.1	7.6	–	–	–	–	37.0	5.8	–	–	–	22.4		13.9
InvyMark/laSexta[p 15]	4–8 Jun 2018	?	–	43.2	7.1	–	–	–	–	30.3	7.9	2.5	–	–	–	9.0	12.9
MyWord/Cadena SER[p 16][p 17]	6–7 Jun 2018	?	–	38.0	6.0	–	–	–	–	39.0	3.8	–	1.6	–	0.4	11.2	1.0
ElectoPanel/Electomanía[p 18]	26–28 May 2018	?	7.4	44.4	1.9	–	1.9	–	–	35.2	5.6	–	0.0	–	3.6	0.0	9.2
NC Report/La Razón[p 19][p 20]	3–6 Apr 2018	350	–	27.7	20.3	–	–	–	–	26.9	10.6	–	–	0.6	3.7	10.3	0.8
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 21]	19–29 Mar 2018	?	6.0	40.0	3.0	–	–	–	–	24.0	–	–	–	10.0	10.0	7.0	16.0

Polling firm/Commissioner	Fieldwork date	Sample size												Other /None	?	Lead
			Casado	Santamaría	Cospedal	Hernández	Margallo	Bayo	Feijóo	Pastor	De la Serna	Alonso	Cifuentes
YouGov/El Huffington Post[p 22]	10–12 Jul 2018	1,005	22.0	30.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	48.0	8.0
Sigma Dos/El Mundo[p 4]	9–12 Jul 2018	1,000	27.3	44.2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	28.5	16.9
ElectoPanel/Electomanía[p 5]	5–10 Jul 2018	882	40.1	59.9	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	19.8
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 9]	19–22 Jun 2018	1,000	–	34.9	29.0	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	36.1	5.9
			9.6	32.4	10.8	1.3	10.4	0.4	–	–	–	–	–	–	35.1	21.6
GESOP/El Periódico[p 10][p 11]	11–13 Jun 2018	800	–	27.5	5.8	–	–	–	20.4	11.6	6.0	–	–	0.3	28.6	7.1
DYM/El Independiente[p 12][p 13]	11–12 Jun 2018	1,019	–	24.9	5.7	–	–	–	19.5	11.7	–	–	–	26.3	11.9	5.4
YouGov/La Vanguardia[p 23]	8–11 Jun 2018	1,004	–	26.0	4.0	–	–	–	18.0	7.0	3.0	–	–	12.0	31.0	8.0
GAD3/ABC[p 14]	7–8 Jun 2018	800	3.2	20.3	4.4	–	–	–	22.0	8.4	–	–	–	41.7		1.7
InvyMark/laSexta[p 15]	4–8 Jun 2018	?	–	23.1	5.4	–	–	–	26.8	11.5	4.5	–	–	–	28.7	3.7
Top Position[p 24]	4–7 Jun 2018	1,200	–	33.4	–	–	–	–	31.6	–	–	–	–	35.0		1.8
MyWord/Cadena SER[p 16][p 17]	6–7 Jun 2018	1,215	–	23.5	5.1	–	–	–	22.8	7.7	–	2.8	–	4.7	33.4	0.7
ElectoPanel/Electomanía[p 18]	26–28 May 2018	1,425	4.2	32.2	2.1	–	5.3	–	17.9	7.5	–	0.7	–	13.4	16.7	14.3
SocioMétrica/El Español[p 21]	19–29 Mar 2018	1,000	2.0	18.0	2.0	–	–	–	9.0	–	–	–	6.0	21.0	42.0	9.0

Source	Fieldwork date	Sample size	Delegates					Percentage
						Other /None /Unknown					Other /None /Unknown
			Casado	Santamaría	Cospedal			Casado	Santamaría	Cospedal
Congress election	21 Jul 2018	3,082	1,701	1,250	–	131		55.2	40.6	–	4.3
Demoscopia Servicios/OKDiario[140]	20 Jul 2018	3,082	1,751	1,331	–	–		56.8	43.2	–	–
Casado's campaign[141][142][143]	20 Jul 2018	3,082	2,198	777	–	107		71.3	25.2	–	3.5
Santamaría's campaign[142][143]	20 Jul 2018	3,082	?	1,950	–	?		?	63.0	–	?
Casado's campaign[144][145][146]	17 Jul 2018	3,082	2,100	836	–	146		68.1	27.1	–	4.7
Santamaría's campaign[144][147]	17 Jul 2018	3,082	<1,350	1,850	–	?		<45.0	60.0	–	?
Casado's campaign[144][148]	12 Jul 2018	3,082	2,156	800	–	126		70.0	26.0	–	4.0
Electomanía[149]	7 Jul 2018	2,718[f]	672	1,196	850	–		24.7	44.0	31.3	–
El Español[150]	7 Jul 2018	2,615[f]	882	1,008	725	–		33.7	38.5	27.7	–
ABC[151]	6 Jul 2018	2,612[f]	684	1,369	559	–		26.2	52.4	21.4	–
El País[152]	6 Jul 2018	2,503[f]	645	1,149	709	–		25.8	45.9	28.3	–

Opinion poll sources

Other