The arrival of Podemos and VOX on the Spanish
political scene not only meant that voters had new electoral options. It also led
to a new, groundbreaking style that was a change from the stereotypical, uncreative
and overused rhetoric displayed by other parties for years.
With Podemos, a left-wing party, Spaniards have
become accustomed to phrases that are a break from what they considered old and
useless ways of doing politics. This is referred to as “vieja política vs nueva
política,” or old politics vs. new politics.
Is a New Style of Politics Coming to Spain?
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VOX, a far-right party, brought a wide array
of terms to discredit the left and their ideological system. This is a system perceived
as involving “ideología de género” (gender ideology), “feminismo
supremacista” (feminist supremacism) and “la España Bolivariana”
(the Bolivarian Spain). Yet VOX has also attacked the more conservative forces
that its supporters describe as “derechita
cobarde,” or right-wing cowards.
In addition, VOX has also advocated for a set of national symbols, including the flag, the anthem or the cross. It has also pushed for the historical revival of events such as the Reconquista, the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa or the Army of Flanders, as well as figures like Don Pelayo or the Catholic Kings. VOX has carefully chosen these subjects to shape its ideology.
As extreme opposites of the political
spectrum, both of these parties are examples of the present-day populism in
Spain despite their differing linguistic styles. Whereas Podemos often opts for
complex rhetoric, VOX has a straightforward way of communicating its message.
Online Wars
It is worthwhile to compare the rhetoric of political leaders in debates or rallies during electoral campaigns and the type of discourse that they or, in particular, their followers use on social media. Supporters of both parties tend to display a higher level of aggressiveness and extremism on social networks, mainly as it is online. Cyberspace is a breeding ground for dogmatic, bigoted and exclusionary language due to perceived anonymity and a presumed lack of accountability that users think they have behind a screen. This is what Claire Hardaker, a lecturer at Lancaster University in the UK, calls the “Gyges effect,” even when people use their real identities.
The presence of “virtual communities” whereby people around the world have the possibility to communicate in a many-to-many context, coupled with the endless possibility of what the internet offers, has redefined the feelings of inclusion or exclusion and increased the wish to belong through participation in cybermobs. All these features are related to the concepts of group salience and polarization that favor the ignition and propagation of online hostility.
The divisive language on social media in Spain, particularly on Twitter, over the last few months of 2019 reached levels not found before. This was mainly due to two reasons: the Catalonian independence process and the exhumation of the late dictator Francisco Franco’s corpse. Both events might seem unrelated, but they are actually connected. On the one hand, many of those opposed to exhuming Franco were also against Catalonia’s right to self-determination and independence from Spain. On the other hand, many who backed it are often supportive of Catalonia’s claims.
The binary construction of the world into “us vs.
them” tends to enhance (or create) intergroup bias, with the ultimate goal of
reinforcing in-group bonds and ties. More specifically, it leads to fairly
homogenous groups of supporters and opponents. Yet on this occasion, and due to
the events aforementioned, Spanish society has become more polarized and the division
has resulted in two sides that are no longer considered opponents but enemies.
In relation to Catalonia, the referendum over
the region’s status in October 2017, and the subsequent declaration of
independence issued by the Catalan parliament — which was suspended by the
Spanish government — have drawn a line between two Spains on a topic that does
not hold the possibility of seeing an amicable solution.
Traitors vs. Patriots
Two sides have thus been established: traitors
or patriots. The lexical choices made by both factions to label each other have
revealed their ideological basis and the pillars of their stances showing two
incompatible perspectives. Pro-independence supporters have used the term “fascist”
to refer to Spain, in addition to “political prisoners,” “exiled politicians”
and “occupation forces.” The far right has described the situation with phrases
such as “terrorism,” “enemies of the country” or “separatism.”
The historical event that still divides speakers of both sides is the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, even though most of them were not alive to see that conflict. In relation to Franco’s exhumation, the war was essentially resurrected on Twitter using the imagery of sports that had been previously referred to by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson in 1980 as one of the basic conceptual metaphors.
The fact that Franco’s corpse was exhumed in
2019 — casting aside the political reasons of both sides for or against this —
was perceived as a victory by supporters on the left. For followers on the far right,
they were reminded that whatever they do with Franco’s corpse, the right would
always be the “winner” of the war and that that fact could not be erased.
In the Spanish general election of November
2019, VOX historically won 52 parliamentary seats for the first time. Thousands
of its supporters gathered outside party headquarters to celebrate while singing
“A por ellos” (go for them). No one, either
from the party or its supporters, clarified what was meant by “them.” That kind
of exclusionary discourse that fosters the division, enhances the difference
and deepens the irreconcilable views is the last thing Spain needs at a time of
instability.
*[The Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right (CARR) is a partner institution of Fair Observer.]
The views expressed in this article are the author’s
own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.
