In recent years, the European political landscape has been reshaped by a surge in support for extreme right-wing policies, particularly on immigration. Extreme right-wing parties in Europe have emerged since the 2008 economic crisis. For McManus, there is a big difference between voters on the far left and voters on the far right. Far-left voters tend to pay more attention to socio-economic issues, focusing on redistributive and egalitarian concerns, whereas far-right voters tend to focus on socio-cultural issues related to national identity, culture, and immigration.

European far-right parties share an anti-immigration political programme, which reflects their nationalist ideology; they consider that only natives should be inhabitants of the territory and that foreigners are a threat to the homogeneity of the nation-state. Politically, anti-immigration rhetoric serves as an effective tool to mobilize voters who feel anxious about the impacts of globalization, multiculturalism, and economic insecurity. Furthermore, anti-migration discourse is fueled by public perceptions—often amplified by media and social networks—that associate migration with unemployment, terrorism, and crime.

In Western Europe, the target of far-right parties has been migrants (both economic migrants and refugees), and they have also mentioned Muslims as a possible threat. One of the reasons why far-right political parties in Europe are against international migration is that there is pressure on public services and economic resources. The impact of immigration in Europe affects the following sectors: a) housing: population growth, especially in urban areas, leads to increased demand for housing, resulting in shortages and higher prices, b) health: the health system is under pressure from the need to care for a larger population, including migrants, which can lead to the collapse of hospitals and health centres, and c) education: education programmes are under pressure, as the arrival of migrants requires greater investment in educational infrastructure and teaching staff to cater for the children and young people of these families.

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The Case of Spain

 

In Spain, there is a political discourse on migration that has as its main premises the impossibility of eliminating immigration; that immigration affects people unequally at the socio-economic level, with the lower classes being the most affected; and the question of the national threat, linking Islam with terrorism and violence.

 

According to the Elcano Royal Institute, the Spanish population over the age of 16 cannot afford a personal computer, does not own a car, cannot afford a meal of meat, chicken, or fish at least every other day of the week, and cannot afford to go on holiday at least one week a year. He also mentions that most of the new employment created in the private sector in recent years is being filled by immigrants.

However, research by the Real Instituto Elcano points out that far-right political parties in Spain are on the decline, having had a bad experience under Franco's regime, which abused national symbols. It also notes the concern of Spaniards that migration in Spain has increased by 74%, and that in that case, most migrants get jobs faster than nationals. Most migrants in Spain are concentrated in four regions: Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia, and the Community of Valencia. This means that one in ten households in Spain includes at least one person of non-Spanish nationality.

 

VOX

 

In the case of Spain, the political party Vox has emerged, which demands an increase in the requirements for immigrants in irregular situations to obtain a residence permit. Vox was born in 2013 as a break from the PP. Its main discourse is based on territorial unity, taking up Spanish nationalism. It is characterised as a radical right-wing party that mixes nationalism with xenophobia. Likewise, its ideology is based on the principles of the Christian religion. Vox's main arguments against migration are related to the loss of identity and culture, i.e., they are against a multicultural society. In the area of security, they seek to reinforce it internally and externally.

However, the political party Vox proposes that immigration should be carried out through a selection process that considers the following factors: that the migrant is capable of integrating into society and has the necessary financial means to support themselves within Spanish territory while they find stable employment. Vox also perceives irregular immigration as being linked to crime, insecurity, and the saturation of public services.

Vox's strategy to increase votes is based on fear. This strategy is based on three arguments: the loss of traditional values (cultural), competition for social benefits and jobs (economic), and problems of coexistence and security (social).

 

Conclusion

The opposition of the right-wing governments in Spain to international migration is rooted in a combination of ideological, political, and socio-economic factors. These governments often frame migration as a threat to national identity and public safety, and appeal to nationalist sentiments and concerns over cultural integration. Furthermore, immigration is frequently politicized as a tool to rally electoral support, especially during times of economic uncertainty or social unrest.

While not all right-wing actors are uniformly anti-migration, the dominant narrative tends to emphasize border control, stricter immigration policies, and the protection of “native” cultural values. Understanding this stance requires not only an analysis of party platforms and policies but also a broader consideration of public discourse, media influence, and historical legacies in Spain. Ultimately, the debate over international migration in Spain continues to reflect deeper tensions around identity, sovereignty, and globalization.
 

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References

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Akkerman, T. (2018). Partidos de extrema derecha y políticas de inmigración en la UE.

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Clavero, E., & García, J. J. (2025). La inmigración como tema polarizador en España. Revista Más Poder Local.

Fernández, B. (n.d.). El discurso político de Vox de pureza y castigo: Inmigración e igualdad de género. Universidad da Coruña.

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González, C. (2024, febrero 12). Inmigración, trabajo, productividad y desigualdad en España. Real Instituto Elcano. https://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/analisis/inmigracion-trabajo-productividad-y-desigualdad-en-espana/

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Ranero-León, M.ª J. (2024). Discurso político ante el multiculturalismo de la derecha española: Un análisis comparado entre PP y VOX. Revista Comillas. https://revistas.comillas.edu/index.php/revistamigraciones/article/view/20728/19010 (Accessed May 27, 2025)

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Rama, J. (n.d.). Vox: ¿Un partido más de la derecha radical europea? Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.​​