The upcoming general election in Spain on Sunday could lead to a major upheaval, as the country might swing towards the populist right after five years of a left-wing government. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for the early election following his party’s poor performance in local and regional elections.
The center-right Popular Party (PP) is expected to win the most votes, but it might need support from the far-right Vox party to form a government. Such a coalition would bring a far-right force into the Spanish government for the first time since the country’s transition to democracy after Gen. Francisco Franco’s rule.
Vox, led by Santiago Abascal, opposes abortion rights, denies climate change, and rejects government intervention to combat gender violence. Their rise to power would signify a shift to the right in another EU member, which has already been witnessed in countries like Sweden, Finland, and Italy. Concerns over immigration and climate policies in the EU could arise if this trend continues.
Spain currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, and its election results could impact its EU policymaking. However, the main issue in the election is the “honorability” of Prime Minister Sánchez, with the PP portraying him as a liar due to his U-turns on major issues.
As Spain’s political future hangs in the balance, the outcome of the election could have significant consequences, both domestically and within the EU.
