Vox has brought back Fernando Paz, previously dropped over Holocaust revisionism accusations. His return signals a shift in the party’s stance and has reignited debate over extremism within Vox.
Vox has reintroduced Fernando Paz, a historian previously removed as its Albacete candidate in 2019 following accusations of Holocaust revisionism, into prominent party roles. Paz, who was sidelined after his views on the Nuremberg trials and therapies for homosexuality drew criticism from Spain’s Jewish community, now appears as a lecturer in Vox-linked educational programs and has been promoted through the party’s official channels.
Paz’s renewed visibility comes as Vox strengthens ties with figures from the European far right, including Martin Sellner and Eva Vlaardingerbroek, and maintains controversial leadership in its union, Solidaridad. The party has not commented publicly on Paz’s return or responded to media inquiries regarding his new responsibilities.
In written responses, Paz denies being a Holocaust denier and downplays the potential impact of his involvement on Vox’s relations with Jewish communities or Israeli conservatives. He maintains that his contributions are valued by the party and reiterates his previous statements on Franco and homosexuality, declining to retract earlier remarks.
The controversy surrounding Paz dates back to his 2016 book presentation at the Falange headquarters in Madrid, where he questioned the legitimacy of the Nuremberg trials and cast doubt on established Holocaust narratives. His comments, including claims about the motives behind the mass murder of Jews and the methods used, led to public condemnation from the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain and ultimately to his resignation as a candidate. At the time, Vox was seeking closer ties with the US Republican Party and Israeli right-wing groups, prompting the party to distance itself from any perception of antisemitism.
Despite his resignation, Paz maintained connections within Vox, particularly with Kiko Méndez-Monasterio, a key party strategist. Over the past year, Paz has been increasingly visible at Vox events, including youth forums and exhibitions, and has contributed articles to party-affiliated media. He was recently named an honorary trustee of the Denaes foundation, co-founded by Santiago Abascal, and is scheduled to teach at the Issep school, which serves as a training ground for Vox’s future leaders.
Party insiders suggest that Paz’s return reflects both a shift in Vox’s internal dynamics and a response to the departure of other prominent figures. His longstanding relationships with senior members, including Abascal and Méndez-Monasterio, have facilitated his reintegration. According to sources familiar with his trajectory, Paz’s expertise and loyalty have kept him close to the party’s core, even during periods of public controversy.
Reactions from Jewish organizations have been muted, with neither the Federation of Jewish Communities nor ACOM offering public statements on Paz’s renewed prominence. However, sociologists and representatives of Holocaust survivor groups have expressed concern about the normalization of revisionist rhetoric within far-right parties across Europe. This trend, they argue, risks further marginalizing vulnerable communities and undermining historical memory.
Vox’s approach to controversial figures is not unique in Spanish politics. For example, internal party disputes and leadership challenges have also surfaced in other major parties, as seen when Francisco Camps pressed for a regional congress in Valencia, highlighting broader tensions over candidate selection and party direction. More details on such internal dynamics can be found in this report on PP’s leadership crisis in Valencia.
As Vox continues to expand its influence and forge alliances with international right-wing movements, the return of figures like Fernando Paz underscores ongoing debates about the boundaries of acceptable discourse within Spanish politics. The party’s willingness to publicly embrace previously sidelined voices may signal a broader shift in its strategy and identity ahead of future elections.
For context, Spain’s far-right parties have historically struggled to balance nationalist rhetoric with efforts to avoid associations with antisemitism and Holocaust denial. The resurgence of revisionist figures within party structures raises questions about the direction of political discourse and the resilience of democratic norms in the face of rising polarization.
