Hundreds of protesters demonstrate in Madrid against fascism

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Plaza de Colón in the center of Madrid (Spain), this Sunday (May 19, 2024) in an act against fascism.

Images posted on social media show protesters shouting messages such as “Fascists off our streets” e “They will not pass”. Participants also carried posters that read “No fascism” e “Do you use fascist methods? You can say what you want, you’re fascist.”.

Watch (2min16s):

According to information from the The country It’s from The worldthe protest was called by several social entities after the conservative convention “Europa Viva 24” was announced in the city.

The event, which started on Saturday (May 18) and ended this Sunday (May 19), was organized by Vox, a right-wing party in Spain. It was held at the Vistalegre Palace, 10 km from Plaza de Colón.

The convention brought together several right-wing and conservative international leaders, such as the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, and congresswoman Marine Le Pen, who was a candidate for president of France.

The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, also participated via video conference.

Most leaders cited migration in their speeches, calling for greater border control in Europe to prevent “big entrance” of migrants.

In her speech, Milei stated that “opening the door to socialism is an invitation to death”. He received a standing ovation when he said “enough with socialism, enough with hunger, enough with misery”.

Watch the full event (3h47min39s):

O VOX

The party was created in 2013 by the former leader of the PP (Popular Party, center-right) Alejo Vidal-Quadras. He sought to rally right-wing voters disillusioned with the country’s politics, most of whom were moderates.

In 2014, Santiago Abascal became president of Vox. He started to present more conservative proposals, with speeches centered on the “anti-communism”.

In Spain’s general elections, held on July 23, 2023, Vox sided with the PP. The Popular Party won 133 seats in the Congress of Deputies and Vox, 33 out of a total of 350 seats.

Despite emerging victorious in the election, the right-wing parties were unable to form a majority. They tried to negotiate a coalition to govern, which was also unsuccessful. Pedro Sánchez, leader of the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, center-left) was elected prime minister at the time.