The hardline party, which could form part of a right-wing government after Spain’s election on November 29th, this week outlined its position on The Rock as part of its election manifesto.
Spain’s far-right Vox has pledged to “recover Spanish sovereignty over the Rock of Gibraltar” as part of a raft of policy proposals outlined in its election manifesto ahead of polling day on November 29th.
If the polls are to be believed, the centre-right Partido Popular will win the election, but fall short of an overall majority, meaning that it will likely seek a coalition with Vox.
Political pundits in Spain say the party may demand certain ministries in return for its support, reportedly immigration and culture, so the hard-line party could soon have an important or ‘kingmaker’ role in Spanish politics and society.
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In a wide-ranging document, the party’s position on Gibraltar is outlined in a section entitled: SEGURIDAD Y DEFENSA.
Point 93 states Vox’s intentions for the tiny overseas territory, promising “the application of all necessary international pressure to restore Spanish sovereignty over the Rock of Gibraltar”.
It also pledges the “dismantling of piracy, drug trafficking, smuggling and money laundering networks that originate in the colony and affect Spain”.
Ideas of Gibraltarians as piratas (pirates) and The Rock as a hub for international crime are long-held stereotypes by the Spanish right, particularly the far-right, many of whom see the sovereignty dispute in blood and soil nationalist terms.
As such, in the document, Vox also commits to “regaining control of Spanish waters” in the area and “in investment plan to restore prosperity to the Campo de Gibraltar”.
While Vox’s nationalist positions on Gibraltar are unsurprising and long-held, if it were to enter a right-wing coalition government, it would join forces with the PP, a party that, while not as rhetorically direct, is certainly sceptical of British sovereignty of Gibraltar and the recent UK-EU deal to settle its post-Brexit status.
Gibraltar, therefore, could cause a few diplomatic issues for a right-wing Spanish government. PP leader and likely next Prime Minister, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has already cast doubt on the Gibraltar Brexit deal, concluding that “the UK wins and Spain loses”.
Vox, for its part, rejected the agreement in strong terms at the time, with Vox Deputy José María Sánchez describing the treaty as “detrimental to the interests of the citizens of the Campo de Gibraltar, Andalusia, Spain and Europe”.
Vox clearly has the most maximalist sovereignist position in Spanish politics regarding Gibraltar, demanding the full and immediate return of the overseas territory to Spain.
If the far-right party does enter a coalition government, as seems likely, expect to hear more confrontational language about pirates, colonies, and tax havens.
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