In recent weeks, political debate in Spain has been boiling over one question: who is behind the meteoric rise in support for the Vox party, and how can this be stopped? New polling data shows that the far-right has already drawn nearly a million votes away from the Partido Popular (PP) and has confidently surpassed the 17% support mark.
The spotlight is on the PP, as this party is losing the most ground due to Vox’s success. Many believe that the current conservative leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, with his tough rhetoric and shift to the right—especially on migration issues—is only driving some voters toward the radicals. Government officials draw parallels to 2015, when the Socialists struggled to counter Podemos but ultimately held their ground without copying its style. Now there is growing concern that the PP, in trying to co-opt Vox’s agenda, risks losing even more support.
PP representatives themselves admit that Feijóo’s rhetoric has become noticeably harsher, but explain this as responding to voter demands, as the electorate grows increasingly frustrated with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s actions. In their view, it is Sánchez, by constantly highlighting the fight against the far-right and linking the PP to Vox, who is fueling Vox’s rising popularity. Tensions are running high within the party: some feel the PP is too soft, while others believe it is going too far. But everyone agrees on one thing—it is becoming ever more difficult to retain voters.
Experts are surprised that the PP is essentially playing by Vox’s rules, which, in their view, only increases polarization and alienates some moderates. Studies show that the more traditional parties adopt the rhetoric of radicals, the stronger the extremist forces become. Sociologists note that the rise of the far right is a pan-European trend, but it is the behavior of the traditional right that determines how powerful this wave will be.
The popularity of Vox among young people is particularly alarming. Social media play a decisive role here, with the far right long holding a dominant position. Platform algorithms facilitate the spread of content filled with aggression and disinformation, making it extremely difficult to combat this phenomenon. In response, the government has created a special unit to analyze digital environment risks, using cutting-edge technology and NATO expertise to identify and counter hate and fake news campaigns.
Authorities are also developing new laws to increase control over online platforms and hold social media owners accountable for the consequences of published content. However, extremist ideas often spread beyond the sight of politicians and parents: even in progressive families, teenagers encounter radical content—not showing overt interest, yet still coming under its influence.
There are ongoing debates within the government on how to respond to Vox’s successes. Some advocate for a tough confrontation, seeing the far-right as the main threat to the country and the world. Others, like Sumar representatives, prefer to ignore Vox and focus on social initiatives such as reducing the workweek to regain public trust. However, while the far-right continues to gain ground and traditional parties search for an effective strategy, Spanish society remains in a state of anxious anticipation.
