The upcoming general election in Spain on Sunday has the potential to usher in a populist right-wing government. Marking a significant shift after five years under a left-wing administration. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for the early election following disappointing results for his Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party and its far-left coalition partner, Unidas Podemos, in local and regional elections.
The centre-right Popular Party (PP) emerged as the frontrunner in the May 28 elections. Consistently leading in polls for the general election. However, forming a government would likely require support from the far-right Vox party. A coalition between the PP and Vox would bring a far-right force into the Spanish government for the first time since the country’s transition to democracy after the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975, who had ruled Spain for nearly four decades.
Since May, the PP and Vox have already formed governing alliances in around 140 cities and towns, with plans to expand their cooperation to two additional regions. Senator Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the PP, has not ruled out the possibility of a national-level partnership.
Led by former PP member Santiago Abascal, Vox is known for its opposition to abortion rights, denial of climate change, and rejection of government intervention in combating gender violence. Election polls suggest that Vox could secure a third-place finish, positioning Abascal as a potential kingmaker.
Spain’s Election Represents Crossroads for Political Landscape
Nagore Calvo Mendizabal, a senior lecturer in Spanish and European Politics and Society at King’s College London. Emphasised that the inclusion of Vox in the government would frame the parliamentary election as a crucial moment for the future of democracy in Spain. Vox’s manifesto echoes many aspects of the Franco regime. Proposing a return to a highly centralized government by abolishing the 17 regions established after Franco’s death.
Beyond Spain’s borders, a potential PP-Vox government would signify another European Union (EU) member state leaning further to the right. Following recent trends in Sweden, Finland, and Italy. Germany and France, among other countries. Express concerns about the implications of such a shift on EU immigration and climate policies.
As Spain prepares for its pivotal election, the outcome will not only determine the country’s political direction but also have reverberations throughout Europe. In addition to the implications for the balance of power and policy dynamics within the EU.