Pepe Mujica encourages the foreign vote from Uruguay with his support for the BNG

In 2005, the Galician elections saw a close result as thousands of votes arrived from the diaspora, keeping the parties in suspense. The external vote ultimately opted for the PSOE, taking away Manuel Fraga’s absolute majority. Now, 19 years later, Galicia, with the largest foreign community in Spain, once again looks to these emigrants and their descendants.

This time, there is a record number of nearly half a million people residing abroad who are called to vote. These 476,514 votes represent 17.7% of the census and could potentially decide a deputy, given the tight majority predicted for the PP according to surveys conducted after the July 23 elections. Despite not having a requested vote, 7% of eligible voters abroad participated, a significant percentage.

However, due to the electoral advance, campaigning abroad was not possible as the pre-campaigning period was reduced to just over a month. This caused candidates to stay within the community, even though the foreign vote is of great importance.

Furthermore, the parties have not been particularly focused on this vote either. The exception was the intervention of former Uruguayan president, Pepe Mujica, who made a video for the BNG urging Galicians on both sides of the Atlantic to vote for their candidate, Ana Pontón.

Mujica expressed that “the political future of Galicia” is important to Uruguay, as “too much Galician blood runs in our veins.” He also emphasized his affinity with the BNG and called on “like-minded people” to support the party and the challenge that Galicia faces with warmth and not just with their votes.

Marta Lois, the candidate for Sumar, did not travel to the diaspora, but her party leader, Yolanda Diaz, actively engaged in the fight for the crucial foreign vote. Diaz posted a video on social media, extending her congratulations to the Argentine union movement and encouraging Galicians in Argentina to exercise their right to vote, as they are close to achieving their goal of replacing the Xunta.