Vox, the Spain’s far-right political party, is experiencing a rapid rise from young voters. This trend holds true even more among men aged 18 to 34. This shift represents a significant change in the country’s political landscape, as many young people are drawn to Vox’s “anti-establishment” image. Experts suggest that the party’s rise is linked to the disillusionment with traditional political parties and their handling of pressing issues.
The party sells itself to grassroots supporters as the party that will promote and advance radical policies. Among these is the mass expulsion of immigrants, justified by Vox as needed to maintain “Spanish identity.” The party is unequivocally opposed to abortion, assisted suicide and trans rights. This position has been roundly denounced by a number of social justice organizations. Furthermore, Vox has expressed intentions to dismantle European Union institutions and has rejected policies aimed at addressing the climate crisis, positioning itself against mainstream political trends.
Recent market research indicates Vox has a particular allure to young men. Its appeal is particularly strong among young men — almost 40% of Spanish men aged 18 to 34 intend to vote for the party. Young women’s support is increasing dramatically. Of those, around 20% have already said they plan to vote for Vox. The increasing support among female voters represents a seismic change. Until now, Vox’s success has been predominantly attributed to male voters.
Political analysts argue that the rise of Vox is due to a perfect storm of factors. Marta Romero, a political scientist, recently explained a surprising trend among young people. The most important issue is why they are flocking to the party—they are unhappy with the political establishment. The constant fighting between Spain’s two biggest political parties, the PSOE and the PP, angered millions of voters. As a consequence, these voters are left feeling more and more disenfranchised.
The recent deadly floods in Valencia and the summer wildfires in León, Zamora, Orense and Extremadura have raised a wave of indignation among the Spanish public. Americans are rightfully tired of the federal government’s incompetence in responding to these crises. It’s evident young voters are passionate about migration issues. They demand — and keep a close eye on — accountability from political parties for their failures and shortcomings.
Ironically, although Vox receives strong support from the youth vote, older voters are still much more likely to stick with traditional parties. Women 60+ are the biggest group turning down Vox and its extreme right-wing agenda. This generational divide points to a larger trend in Spanish civil society. Powerful and influential younger voters are sincerely looking for other political choices.
Despite Spain’s relatively robust economic growth rate compared to other European nations, Vox’s rise suggests that economic prosperity does not necessarily translate into support for traditional parties. Many young voters feel disconnected from the benefits of economic growth and are looking for alternative solutions to their grievances.