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Could Spain’s Political Landscape Shift? A Far-Right Coalition Looms Amid Environmental Concerns and Drought Crisis

ByAlki David

Jul 24, 2023
Alberto Nunez Feijoo

In a pivotal moment for Spain’s political landscape, the nation might witness a historic change as a potential coalition emerges, possibly including a far-right party for the first time since the end of the Francisco Franco dictatorship in 1975. At the heart of this transformative situation lies frustration surrounding an ongoing drought and the controversial environmental measures aimed at alleviating its impact.

Recent opinion polls suggest that the conservative Popular Party, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, enjoys sufficient support to challenge socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. However, it appears that they might fall short of securing an outright majority, creating an opening for the ultranationalist, anti-immigration, and anti-feminist group, Vox, to play the role of a kingmaker.

One of the key drivers behind Vox’s rise to become Spain’s third-largest party is its alignment with a significant trend in contemporary far-right politics: apprehensions over green measures and their potential ramifications on Spain’s agricultural sector. With the country grappling with chronic droughts, Vox and the Popular Party have found common ground by advocating for a controversial plan to legalize and expand water drilling in one of Europe’s crucial wetlands. Remarkably, much of this wetland region is already arid and devoid of life, but this move aims to bolster the lucrative fruit industry.

The looming coalition raises questions about the future direction of Spanish politics and the potential consequences of prioritizing short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability. As Vox gains prominence, their policies on immigration and feminism will also warrant scrutiny, as they could potentially shape Spain’s stance on social issues in the coming years.

The delicate balance between economic interests and ecological concerns is at the heart of the political discourse, as the coalition’s decisions could significantly impact Spain’s environment and its ability to navigate future droughts effectively.

In conclusion, Spain stands at a crossroads, with a potential far-right coalition in the offing, driven in part by worries over the environment and the persistent drought crisis. The dynamics of the Spanish political landscape could experience a profound shift, with Vox emerging as a significant player in shaping the nation’s policies. As the nation grapples with this critical juncture, it remains to be seen how the intertwined issues of environment, economy, and social politics will ultimately play out.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.