40 years after Spain’s return to democracy, a far-right party rises

[Gerald]

The nightclub was dark. A crowd of cocktail-holding partygoers — mostly 20- and 30-year-olds — waved Spanish flags and shouted, “Viva España!”


They sang along to an electronic version of the Spanish national anthem and chanted “Jail Puigdemont!” in reference to the former president of Catalonia who fled the country a year and a half ago. One man made a fascist salute.


“Good evening patriots,” yelled Ignacio Garriga, a candidate for Spain’s upcoming parliamentary elections, from the stage. “This Sunday will be a historic day. This Sunday we are excited to start the reconquista of Spain.”

https://www.latimes.com/world/europe...426-story.html


When the right-wing extremist party Vox is now seated in the parliament in Madrid, Spain joins the growing number of countries in Europe where right-wing populists and extremists sit in power corridors and enjoy a Brandy de Jerez.

[Nordmann]

When the establishment fails to address the concerns of voters, as is the case in many European countries (and with the EU as a whole), extremists always capitalise. If you don't stand up for your own people, then they are going to turn to those who will.

[em2nought]

It's not that hard to understand why.

[Nordmann]

Originally Posted by em2nought

It's not that hard to understand why.

It's certainly one of the big issues, but there are many more, including law enforcement (a huge problem in the UK for instance), access to medical care, and the economic survival of ordinary citizens. I won't even get into the flagrant suppression of free speech, because that's a real quagmire!

Sadly, these issues are being swept under the rug in many countries, and this is only serving as fertile ground for the far right. The Nazis rose in Germany because the Weimar government ignored the plight of its people, and we are seeing a repeat of this mistake in the EU.

[Buddahaid]

Immigration then.


Immigration now.


It just depends on what photos you want to use to make a point.

[Mr Quatro]

I think it is the difference in the rich vs the poor is greater than it has ever been before ...
Push is becoming shove

No single country has the answer on what to do about it, but I notice the masses of refugees are not migrating to socialist countries.

[Buddahaid]

I'm not so sure about that. Anyway, in the US I think the poor are way better off now than they were 100 years ago when there was no health insurance at all and no welfare. Health insurance? No, but hospitals are not legally allowed to turn anyone away from an ER just because they can't pay and not for profit hospitals offer all sorts of free outreach to their communities, plus you can find homeless shelters and free meals just for the asking.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Mr Quatro

No single country has the answer on what to do about it, but I notice the masses of refugees are not migrating to socialist countries.

Back at the height of the Cold War my circle of friends contained several young Communist wannabes. My late friend Rocky ended an argument with one of them with a simple question: "Let's do a test. One question: Which countries build walls to keep people in, and which countries struggle to keep undesirables out?"

But-but-but...

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by Nordmann

It's certainly one of the big issues, but there are many more

Yes, of course. They just aren't as easy to represent with a simple meme

[HunterICX]

Vox are a bunch of idiots with a very stupid agenda. Just like any populist right wing party they have a big mouth but offer little in terms of answers.

However it is concerning that during 2018 they got 12 Seats Regional Parliament of Andalusia, 10 seats in Valencia and went from having 0 seats to 24 seats in the Cortes Generales(the the bicameral legislative chambers of Spain)

It doesn't come as a suprise as you see in more European Countries that the Liberal, labour and Conservative parties are sitting in their ivory towers bickering amongst eachother ignoring problems that's stirring the social climate so you get groups of people feel themselves ignored and parties like Vox you see here and there through Europe who do open the door and listen are now playing their cards and play on the emotions of those who feel ignored.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by HunterICX

It doesn't come as a suprise as you see in more European Countries that the Liberal, labour and Conservative parties are sitting in their ivory towers bickering amongst eachother ignoring problems that's stirring the social climate

The UK currently being a prime example.