A key pre-election rally by Vox in Granada descended into chaos on Thursday after clashes broke out between protesters and supporters of the far-right party.
The event, held in the central Plaza de las Pasiegas beside the city’s cathedral, had been billed as one of Vox’s flagship campaign moments ahead of the May 17 vote.
Instead, it was overshadowed by confrontations, police intervention and accusations of political intimidation.
The rally began late after a group of antifascist demonstrators gathered in the surrounding streets, chanting slogans and attempting to disrupt proceedings.
Tensions escalated quickly, with red paint thrown towards attendees and shouting matches erupting between opposing groups.
The situation deteriorated further when Vox supporters surged towards the protesters, prompting police to step in.
Officers struggled at times to keep the groups apart, with brief charges carried out to disperse crowds in the narrow streets around the cathedral.
During his speech, Vox leader Santiago Abascal condemned the disruption, branding it a ‘delito electoral’ (electoral crime) and accusing authorities of failing to guarantee security at a lawful political event.
He directed sharp criticism at prime minister Pedro Sanchez, calling him ‘a liar, a traitor and corrupt,’ while also taking aim at the conservative Popular Party for what he described as a lack of opposition to the government.
Referring to the protests, Abascal claimed they were driven by those who ‘hate our history, our identity and our freedom,’ and warned of escalating political hostility.
The party’s Andalucian candidate, Manuel Gavira, focused his address on regional issues, attacking both the PSOE and PP over public services, unemployment and poverty.
He argued that the election would determine whether Andalucia continues under current leadership or shifts direction with greater support for Vox.
Outside the square, protesters continued chanting ‘No pasarán’ (they will not pass) and ‘Granada será la tumba del fascismo,’ (Granada will end fascism) while police maintained a heavy presence to prevent further clashes.
One Vox official, Maria Ruiz, was struck by red paint during the unrest.
Despite the disturbances, the rally eventually concluded without major incidents in the main square.
However, the confrontations in the surrounding streets highlighted the increasingly polarised atmosphere as Andalucia heads into a closely watched regional election campaign.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
