Blog #VOX

The presidente del gobierno (the Spanish prime minister) has been under fire recently from all sides and he is "riding low" in the opinion polls. Pedro Sánchez has been accused of corruption, of nepotism and of other dodgy practices. So, he decided to submit himself to a live interview by TVE, the national TV broadcaster. That was 10 days ago.

Generalisimo Francisco Franco Bahamonde, the fascist dictator who led Spain for 39 years, from 1936 until his death in 1975, "celebrates" the 50th anniversary of his death later this week, on Thursday November 20th. ​He will not be mourned by many. He has been thoroughly discredited for his murderous "reign". What follows is a brief summary of the rise and fall of the only fascist leader of the mid-20th century to die a natural death. Hitler committed suicide and Mussolini was executed by hanging.

The right is rearing its ugly head all over Europe. Right-wing parties are gaining more and more support, eg in Germany, in Spain, in France. And the Netherlands have just elected a right-wing party. Conversely, it looks like the right has had its day in the UK. Despite the rise of the AfD and Pegida, Germany has a socialist-led coalition in the Berlin Bundestag. VOX in Spain appears to be losing support.