Guillermo Fernández Vara, former president of Extremadura, dies

The former Socialist president of the Regional Government of Extremadura, Guillermo Fernandez Vara (Olivenza, 1958), died this Saturday at the age of 66 after suffering from an illness, according to the PSOE (Socialist Workers' Party) in Extremadura. The president, who was currently a senator by appointment to the regional government, had been battling cancer for some time.

A forensic doctor by profession, Fernández Vara led the Extremadura Regional Government in two different stages. Between 2007 and 2011, and between 2015 and 2023, when María Guardiola of the People's Party (PP) snatched the presidency from him following her agreement with Vox. In the May elections, the PSOE finished ahead of the PP in votes and tied for seats, but the far-right tipped the balance in favor of the Popular Party.