On Saturday afternoon, the main annual event for Vox supporters, the ‘Viva 25’ forum, kicked off at Madrid’s Vistalegre Palace. Hundreds of participants, including deputies, municipal representatives, and activists, gathered to address current challenges and demonstrate unity. The atmosphere was tense, as the high-profile murder of Charlie Kirk, a prominent public figure and supporter of Donald Trump, had taken place in the United States the day before.
Santiago Abascal, the party leader, appeared in public wearing a white T-shirt with the black inscription ‘freedom.’ This was the same type of clothing Kirk wore on the day of his death. The gesture did not go unnoticed: forum delegates and guests immediately picked up on the symbolism. Abascal visited all 52 stands set up by regional branches and was eager to take photos with colleagues. Many saw his appearance as a statement—a reminder of the importance of freedom and the risks faced by opposition movements.
Meanwhile, Vox representatives did not hide their outrage at what happened in the United States. In their view, the tragedy involving Kirk is not just a crime, but a warning sign for all those who oppose the dominant political forces. Ignacio Garriga, the party’s Secretary-General, emphasized in his speech that pressure and censorship from left-wing forces have significantly increased in recent months. He linked Kirk’s murder to a broader trend of suppressing dissent, which, he claimed, is evident not only in America but also in Europe.
The forum organizers noted that Abascal’s appearance in a Kirk T-shirt was not a coincidence, but a deliberate gesture. Vox believes that this was the party leader’s way of expressing solidarity with victims of political violence and reminding people of the need to defend freedom of speech. During the event, Garriga also criticized the cooperation between Spain’s major parties, accusing them of undermining the country’s security and sovereignty. According to forum participants, the current political situation calls for decisive action and unity.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Vox representatives once again emphasized that they do not intend to abandon their principles. They see the forum as a platform to strengthen their positions and exchange experiences among like-minded individuals. For many, Abascal’s gesture with Kirk’s T-shirt has become a symbol of the fight for freedom and resistance to pressure from opponents.
