Political Fallout in Aragon as PP Campaign Closes with Controversial Figures
The Partido Popular (PP) in Aragon concluded its election campaign on Friday with a series of events that have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and raised questions about the party’s strategy to appeal to right-wing voters. The inclusion of activist Vito Quiles and the musical group Los Meconios in the campaign’s closing events sparked controversy, with opponents accusing the PP of embracing extremist elements.
Vito Quiles, described as an “agitator” and “far-right agitator,” participated in an event organized by the PP’s youth wing, Nuevas Generaciones, following a final rally featuring PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Aragon’s current president and PP candidate, Jorge Azcón. According to reports, Quiles engaged in aggressive rhetoric during the event, calling for the imprisonment of the Spanish Prime Minister and criticizing regulations regarding social media access for minors.
The choice to feature Quiles, who was recently subject to disciplinary proceedings by the Spanish Congress for professional misconduct, has been defended by the PP. Miguel Tellado, a PP representative, reportedly compared Quiles to the host of the Spanish television program El Intermedio, Wyoming, arguing that both figures give voice to opinions others are unwilling to express. Tellado suggested Quiles was simply “asking people for their opinion,” a claim Wyoming himself vehemently denied, stating that Quiles does not engage in journalistic practices.
Adding to the controversy, the musical group Los Meconios performed at the PP’s campaign closing. The group previously gained notoriety for performing the song “Vamos a volver a 36” – a reference to 1936, the year the Spanish Civil War began – at a Vox event in 2022. The song’s lyrics also include the phrase “the dictatorship will begin,” prompting the Platform for Action for Memory of Aragon to demand “respect” for the victims of Francoism and criticize the PP for “trivializing” the fascist coup.
The inclusion of Los Meconios has led to accusations that the PP is attempting to attract voters from the far-right, potentially at the expense of Vox. Some analysts suggest the strategy may inadvertently strengthen Vox’s position by consolidating the far-right vote around them.
Jorge Azcón, the PP candidate for president of Aragon, initially deflected questions regarding Quiles’ participation, responding by criticizing the absence of prominent Socialist Party figures, such as former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, from the campaign trail. This response drew further criticism from opponents who accused Azcón of avoiding direct accountability for the controversial decision.
The controversy surrounding the PP’s campaign closing underscores the increasing polarization of Spanish politics and the challenges faced by mainstream parties in navigating the rise of far-right ideologies. The events have ignited a debate about the boundaries of acceptable political discourse and the responsibility of political leaders to condemn extremist rhetoric and symbolism.
The PP’s decision to invite Quiles and Los Meconios appears to be a calculated risk aimed at energizing its base and attracting voters disillusioned with traditional political establishments. However, the backlash from opposition parties and civil society organizations suggests that the strategy may prove to be counterproductive, potentially alienating moderate voters and reinforcing negative perceptions of the party.
