Ordinarily, items the council might tackle would include boosting sustainable economic growth, fostering social and territorial cohesion, strengthening European identity, and consolidating the fight against climate change-issues on which Vox, like other far-right parties, holds illiberal views. And, given that the election will be held less than a month after Spain assumes the mantle of the presidency of the Council of the European Union, a Vox victory would let the far right set the council’s meeting agenda. If a government coalition featuring Vox takes power in Madrid, it will be the first time that an openly far-right party has entered the country’s federal government since the end of Spain’s military dictatorship in 1975, following the death of Francisco Franco. Whether he succeeds will have far-reaching repercussions for Spain and its position in Europe. Sánchez hopes that the forthcoming general election will provide an opportunity to rally the anti-right vote, campaigning on a pun that frames the election as a choice between democratic “rights” and the far “right.” But will highlighting the danger that Vox poses to the country be enough to secure him a second term in office? Meanwhile, the far-right Vox party scored victories from Cantabria to the Costa del Sol, winning more than 11 percent of the popular vote. Sánchez’s left-leaning Partido Socialista (PSOE) tanked in the regional and municipal elections held on May 28. As Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez prepares for the snap general election he called for to occur on July 23, the worry at the top of his mind will be how to crush it. The ruling left-wing coalition has long drawn the ire of the right and far right for initiating a dialogue with Catalonia's pro-independence leaders, with large protests taking place in 20 over the talks.Judging by the results of recent local elections, Spain’s far right could well become a crucial part of the country’s next federal government. "It isn't a coincidence that there's no security either," Abascal added, denouncing "a crazy minister who makes a law with the approval of the entire government, the political and media left so that rapists and paedophiles end up on the streets". Maria Dolores Lopez, 58, told AFP she could "no longer put up with what this government is doing", citing its policy towards the Catalan separatists and its law against sexual violence. He was referring to a flagship government law against sexual violence that toughened penalties for rape but eased sentences for other sexual crimes, setting some convicts free after their jail terms were reduced. "We are being governed by separatists, people who don't want to be Spanish, that's why I'm here," said protester Cesar Peinado, a 65-year-old retired truck driver, accusing the government of "buying votes".Ībascal said sexual assaults had doubled since Socialist premier Sanchez took power in 2018 and denounced a law he claimed allowed rapists and paedophiles to leave prison earlier. The right believes the modified criminal code, which should be in place by the end of the year, will encourage further attempts to separate the northeastern Catalonia region from Spain. "We have a government that governs against the people, lowers prison sentences for crimes, disarms the police," Abascal told his followers in the Spanish capital. An offence carrying a lower prison sentence will replace it. He lambasted the planned abolition of the crime of sedition, of which nine separatist leaders were convicted over their role in the Catalonia region's abortive secession bid in 2017. Vox leader Santiago Abascal denounced a "government of treason, insecurity and ruin" after recent changes to the criminal code and the approval of a new law against sexual violence. Police said 25,000 people gathered in central Madrid's Colon Square, where protesters unfurled flags and called on Sanchez to go, while demonstrations also took place in cities across Spain.
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