Op-ed: Spain’s Rightward Shift and the Risks it Poses for Democracy
Santiago Abascal, president of the Vox party, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Following the end of Francisco Franco’s brutal 36-year dictatorship, Spain was widely seen as having firmly rejected authoritarian, far-right rule in favor of democracy and European integration. For decades, this legacy made the reemergence of far-right politics seem unlikely. However, in recent years, these political forces have begun to resurface, not only in Spain, but across Europe. While studying abroad in Madrid, I saw this shift firsthand when a stranger approached me and, assuming that as an American I supported my country’s leadership, enthusiastically explained her political views and how they aligned with Spain’s far-right party, Vox. That moment reflected a broader reality: ideas once tied to authoritarian pasts are becoming increasingly normalized in contemporary democratic societies through an increase in far-right parties.
Vox is Spain’s third-largest political party, holding 33 of 350 seats in the national parliament and nine out of 61 in the European Parliament. Far-right ideologies did not vanish with Franco; instead, they remained dormant within mainstream conservatism, only to re-emerge as social and economic conditions shifted. Several key factors enabled this shift, including the Great Recession and subsequent austerity measures, the 15-M protest movement, and the Catalan independence crisis. Together, these developments created the political and social conditions necessary for Vox’s rapid rise. Vox’s platform provides a clear picture of how these ideas translate into policy, particularly on immigration, national identity, and the structure of the state.
The party frequently promotes an “us versus them” narrative, positioning Spaniards against various nationalities within Spain and immigrants. Vox challenges Spain’s decentralized system by opposing regional autonomy in areas such as Catalonia and the Basque Country. These regions maintain distinct languages and cultural identities and play a significant economic role, Catalonia alone accounts for roughly 19% of Spain’s GDP. These regions currently maintain a sense of autonomy in which local languages are taught in school and more authority is given to local governments. This is in order to uphold the cultural differences between different regions within Spain. Vox seeks to suppress local identities and create one Spanish identity in which regional languages, cultural differences, and autonomous political authority are diminished in favor of a unified national identity defined by the central state. This rhetoric is also reflected in its immigration policies, which include the deportation of undocumented migrants, restrictions on legal status and state assistance, and a preference for immigrants from culturally similar, particularly Spanish-speaking, countries. Vox also advocates for stronger border controls in Spanish territories such as Ceuta and Melilla, as well as measures aimed at limiting what it defines as religious extremism, particularly in relation to Muslim immigrant communities. In doing so, its approach echoes earlier nationalist efforts under Franco, which similarly emphasized unity through the suppression of regional differences.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance gesture at the end of a pre-election rally in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Unfortunately, this rise of far-right politics is not limited to Spain, but reflects a broader trend across Europe. In France, which holds significant power within the European Union and is historically more liberal-leaning, support has grown for the National Rally, a party once considered politically marginal and associated with extremist, fascist positions. As support for these movements increases, mainstream right-wing parties often attempt to regain voters by adopting similar rhetoric or policies. However, this strategy can have the opposite effect, legitimizing and strengthening far-right movements while further deepening political polarization. This normalization can be potentially dangerous and lead to extreme political polarization, in which extreme parties gain the most power. As a result, far-right parties become more integrated into political systems, and the distinction between mainstream conservatism and extremist ideology begins to blur. Policies that were once considered unacceptable, such as mass deportations, restrictions on minority rights, or the centralization of state power, are increasingly entering everyday political discourse and gaining traction within politics.
Far-right parties can have political consequences on democracy, enabling leaders to gain substantial influence, shifting a democratic state to authoritarianism. Far-right parties, such as Vox, can appeal to a certain nostalgia in which people begin to idealize a “stronger past’. Far-right parties are able to tap into that nostalgia and gain support by praising order, tradition, nationalism and strong leadership. Vox, for example, incorporates this by using slogans such as Make Spain Great Again, which is partially in reference to President Donald Trump's Campaign but can be argued to be in reference to Spain's former dictatorship under Francisco Franco. The phenomenon of authoritarian ideas becoming more normalized in democratic politics and leaders such as Hungary’s Viktor Orban’s ability to maintain long-term control, highlights how democratic institutions can be weakened gradually rather than overthrown outright. In Hungary, Orbán, who was recently removed from power after an electoral defeat, consolidated power by creating a political system that weakened political competition, advantaged the ruling party, and removed many of the checks and balances that once constrained him.This caused Hungary to become the most corrupt country within the EU due to its unrestrained executive power. It’s therefore unsurprising that such an authoritarian leader would be largely supported by conservative leaders such as Donald Trump and JD Vance, who supported Orban’s rule and 2026 election campaign heavily. This connection between conservative extreme-right politics and authoritarianism provides a warning for democracies about how an increase in power towards far-right parties can have heavy consequences on democratic institutions.
Looking back on that moment in Madrid, what struck me most was not just the assumption about my own politics, but how interconnected these movements have become. The rise of Vox is not just a Spanish story; it reflects a broader pattern across Europe and even the United States. This is what makes the current moment so significant. Democracies are not only challenged by external threats, but by internal shifts in rhetoric, policy, and public opinion. As far-right ideas become more normalized, the line between democratic governance and authoritarian tendencies becomes increasingly blurred. Spain’s violent history serves as a reminder of what is at stake, and hopefully, history will avoid repeating itself.