Elections in Spain: Left and Far-Left vs Right and Far-Right. Gender, Climate Change, Migration, Culture

Background
Polarisation is not new to the Spanish society: suffice to recall the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Most grandchildren and great-grandchildren know the political views of their forefathers.

Several decades later, the society is divided again along multiple issues: from climate change to gender violence and LGBT rights. During the latest local elections, held on 28 May 2023, the governing socialists (PSOE) suffered heavy losses and far-right party (Vox) has advanced significantly. In some cities they have joined the right-wing (PP) and formed a coalition.

One of the first measures of the new coalition in Elche, Valladolid, Gijon, and Palma de Mallorca was to dismantle bicycle paths, to name one example of the new ideological approach. In cultural area, theatre pieces have been cancelled.

After defeats at municipal election, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on snap elections for 23 July 2023. Which issues are at stake? Will Spanish Council of the European Union presidency be affected?

Speakers:
Snap Elections: Socialist defeat and rise of the far-right:
Fernando Vallespín, Political Science Professor at the Universidad Autónoma in Madrid, former chairman of the Political Science Department and Vice-chancellor of the University. From 2004 to 2008, President of the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas, a government-related and publicly founded institute for public opinion and opinion polls. Based in Madrid.
Which elements have influenced the rise of the far-right Vox Party?
Steven Forti, lecturer at the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). His research focuses on fascism, populism, nationalism, and the far-right. Based in Barcelona.
Gender as a prominent electoral issue:
Marisa Kohan, journalist specialised in gender issues, Publico.es. Based in Madrid.