The rise of the far right in Spain...Will the "Vox" party reach the government in Madrid?

 Spain has been, for a long time, one of the few European countries where far-right voices are not heard. But the 2019 elections changed this reality, after the far-right party, Vox, won 52 seats out of 350 in the House of Representatives.

And with opinion polls suggesting that Fox will win additional seats in parliament, the front may succeed in reaching the government to partner with the Popular Party in the cabinet, in return for the decline in the popularity of the socialist parties.

This development of the right-wing front, which was launched in 2013, began in 2018, a year after the demonstrations calling for the independence of Catalonia.

Added to this are the corruption scandals of the Popular Party, which toppled the government of Mariano Rajoy in 2018, and the subsequent accession of the Socialist Party to power with the support of the extreme left and separatist parties, and the ensuing economic crises.

Technological developments have also led some to rally around the extreme right, due to nostalgia on the one hand, as well as fear of the unknown in light of the developments taking place.

The turning point in the People's Party's position was its presence, along with another political party, Ciudadanos, and Vox at a joint demonstration in Madrid's Plaza Colón against the government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

This alliance, cemented by the head of the People's Party Núñez Figo through his alliance with Vox in 135 local councils across the country, could give additional points to the right-wing party.

Considering the extreme right and its ideology as something "democratically acceptable," says Fumanal, who considers that "the People's Party and Vox depend on their alliance to reach power against the socialists."

Spain is one of the most recent countries to join this right-wing movement in Europe.

Looking ahead to the European elections in June 2024, the EU fears the impact that a coalition government of the Popular Party with Vox could have in Spain.