In the Basque Country (Euskadi), support for far-right ideas and parties is extremely low, setting this region apart from the rest of Spain. Trust in local institutions and political forces remains high, and Vox’s attempts to gain a foothold among voters meet strong resistance. This is reflected not only in election results but also in the overall social climate, where radical slogans fail to resonate.
Electorate characteristics
According to El Pais, in the most recent elections Vox received only 2.9% of the vote in the Basque Country, while across Spain this figure exceeded 12%. In the regional parliament, the party is represented by just one deputy, elected in Álava. Most residents of the region openly state they would never support this political force. The reasons for such an attitude lie in low political polarization, a strong sense of identity, and trust in local parties.
Unlike other regions, political apathy is weakly expressed in the Basque Country. People here are more likely to participate in elections and take an interest in the life of the autonomous community. According to experts, trust in the regional government and its institutions is among the highest in Europe. At the same time, Spanish nationalism and neo-Francoist ideas are rejected by Basques, making the widespread adoption of far-right views impossible.
Strategies and reactions
Vox tried to capture voters’ attention through provocative campaigns, playing on fears of migration and demographic change. Posters appeared in Vitoria and other cities with slogans about a future supposedly populated by more foreigners than native residents. However, these tactics sparked a wave of criticism and led to protests. In response to a Vox event on the university campus in Vitoria, radical left-wing youth movements organized a counteraction, and the university administration even canceled classes for safety reasons.
Regional authorities, particularly the Minister of the Interior Bingen Zupiria, made a controversial decision to publish the nationality of detained criminals, arguing that this measure is intended to combat disinformation. The move sparked mixed reactions but received support from the head of government, Imanol Pradales. At the same time, the PNV party itself does not see Vox as a serious threat, focusing instead on new nationalist movements like Aliança Catalana in Catalonia.
Youth and New Trends
Among young voters aged 18 to 24, there is a slightly greater interest in right-wing views than the regional average, but the majority still lean toward centrist and left-wing positions. In the Basque Country, young people are more concerned with social issues—employment, housing, and education—rather than identity or nationalism. After the end of the era of terrorism and the 2009 economic crisis, a new type of voter has emerged in the region, unburdened by the traumatic past and favoring progressive forces.
In recent years, left-wing parties such as Bildu have strengthened their presence on the political scene, managing to win over a portion of the electorate from Podemos. This confirms that the region continues to support moderate and left-wing forces, while radical right-wing ideas fail to gain mass support. In this context, it is interesting to compare the situation with other regions where Vox, on the contrary, is growing in influence, as detailed in the coverage of the party’s rising support in small towns using rural Spain as an example.
Context and consequences
In the Basque Country, there is no sense of alarm regarding Spain’s potential breakup — an issue often exploited by Vox in its campaigns. Here, Spanish-style nationalism and neo-Francoist slogans are seen as foreign concepts. Even Vox leader Santiago Abascal, a native of Bilbao, is unpopular among locals due to his previous political activity and rare visits to the region. At the same time, isolated instances of civilian patrol groups appearing in some districts of Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Irún demonstrate that concerns about migration do exist, though they have not become widespread.
Overall, political stability and a high level of civic engagement allow the Basque Country to remain a distinct territory on Spain’s political map. Radical changes here are unlikely, while trust in local institutions and parties continues to shape the region’s future.
In recent years, support for far-right parties has been on the rise in some parts of Spain, particularly in rural areas and the south of the country. However, in the Basque Country and Catalonia, such movements face strong resistance from local communities and political parties. In Catalonia, for instance, nationalist forces are also reluctant to embrace radical ideas, focusing instead on their own agendas. Overall, Spain’s political landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, and regional characteristics are playing a key role in shaping electoral preferences.
