In the Spanish capital, the political scene has once again come into the spotlight following sharp statements from Vox. The party’s leader in the Madrid assembly, Isabel Pérez Moniño, has become a symbol of tough rhetoric directed against migration and the policies of the current regional government. Over the summer, she played an active role in campaigns discussing high-profile incidents involving foreigners, sparking debate across the country.
In recent speeches, Pérez Moniño has repeatedly emphasized her view that current migration control measures are insufficient. According to her, it is the authorities’ leniency in certain districts of Madrid and other Spanish cities that is fueling discontent among local residents. She claims that many Spaniards are tired of what they see as migration-related problems being addressed at the expense of the native population’s interests.
The issue of underage migrants living in special centers is a particular focus of Vox’s rhetoric. Pérez Moniño has repeatedly raised the question of what happens to these young people once they come of age, accusing regional authorities of lacking a clear strategy. She also links the rise in crime to the growing number of foreigners—despite official figures indicating a decline in crime rates in the region.
In response to statistics indicating a decrease in crime rates, a Vox representative claims that official reports do not reflect the real situation, as, according to her, the most serious offenses, such as sexual assaults, have increased. She cites incidents that took place in districts of Madrid as examples and insists on the need to deport foreign nationals who have committed crimes so that they serve their sentences in their home countries.
In its political standoff with the Partido Popular (PP), Vox focuses on accusations of indecisiveness and attempts to copy their agenda. Perés Moniño believes that PP fears Vox’s growing popularity and is not ready for radical changes. She stresses that their party advocates for giving Spaniards priority in the healthcare system and social services, seeing this as a matter of fairness, not discrimination.
Overall, Vox’s campaign in Madrid centers on security, criticism of migration policies, and calls for stricter controls. The rivalry between the two right-wing parties appears to be intensifying, while issues of migration and integration remain at the forefront of public attention.
