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The Rise of the Far Right in Spain and Portugal
  • ISSN: 1364-971X
  • E-ISSN: 1758-9150

Abstract

This introductory article to the Special Issue on ‘The Rise of the Far Right in Spain and Portugal’, explores the far right’s ascent in the two countries within a broader European and global context, where nationalist and populist movements have gained significant momentum. It provides a brief overview of far-right politics in both countries and traces the legacy of authoritarian regimes under Franco in Spain and Salazar in Portugal. It examines the contemporary resurgence of far-right parties, such as Vox and Se Acabó la Fiesta (SALF) (‘The party is over’) in Spain and Chega in Portugal. The analysis explores the sociopolitical factors driving this phenomenon, including economic anxiety, national identity concerns, and reactions against globalization and immigration, and compares the factors driving the emergence of these parties in the two countries. The article introduces the chapters and interviews that follow. The introduction concludes by considering the implications of this far-right ascendancy for the future of democracy and political stability in the Iberian peninsula and beyond.

Resumen

Este artículo introductorio al número especial sobre ‘El auge de la extrema derecha en España y Portugal’ explora el auge de la extrema derecha en ambos países en un contexto europeo y mundial más amplio, en el que los movimientos nacionalistas y populistas han experimentado un avance significativo. Esta introducción ofrece una breve visión general de la política de la extrema derecha en la península ibérica, empezando por un análisis del legado de los regímenes autoritarios de Franco en España y Salazar en Portugal. También se examina el resurgimiento contemporáneo de partidos de extrema derecha en España, como Vox y Se Acabó la Fiesta (SALF), y en Portugal, con Chega. El análisis explora los factores sociopolíticos que impulsan este fenómeno, incluyendo la inestabilidad económica, las cuestiones de identidad nacional y las reacciones contra la globalización y la inmigración. Para finalizar, se comparan los factores que impulsan el surgimiento de estos partidos en los dos países de la península ibérica. Esta introducción presenta los capítulos y entrevistas que siguen y concluye considerando las implicaciones que este ascenso de la extrema derecha supone para el futuro de la democracia y la estabilidad política en la península ibérica.

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/content/journals/10.1386/ijis_00146_2
2025-01-20
2025-02-15
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