Elections in Spain: the regional campaign escalates
Death threats and four bullets received in a letter to Pablo Iglesias, the leader of the left-wing Podemos party, at the Spanish Interior Ministry in Madrid on April 23, 2021. AP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The campaign for the next regional elections in Madrid, scheduled for May 4, has turned sulphurous and toxic.
After an incident against a background of death threats, the ultra right and the radical left refuse to debate further.
The atmosphere is considered lamentable and dangerous by the central government.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Madrid,
François Musseau
Three important personalities received death threats, through postal letters in which were revolver bullets.
They are the Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande Marlaska, the director of the Civil Guard Maria Gamez and the leader of the left-wing Podemos party, candidate for the regional legislative elections of May 4 in Madrid.
However, the candidate of the far-right Vox party, Rocio Monasterio, questioned the veracity of these death threats.
Consequence: Pablo Iglesias now refuses to participate in any debate with Vox.
As a result, two important debates due to take place next week have been canceled.
►
To read also: Spain: the head of Podemos resigns from the government to stand for the regional in Madrid
Polarized atmosphere
More generally, the atmosphere has become very polarized and hostile, as polls also reflect.
The bridges are cut between the candidates of the extreme right and those of the left, socialists included.
Never seen.
For now, the number 2 of the national government has taken the death threats very seriously and assured that "
everything will be done to know the identity of those responsible for this anti-democratic and despicable act
".
The far right was trying to get people talking about it.
She succeeded.
►
To read also: Spain: the coronavirus weighs down the regional elections in Catalonia
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Spain
On the same subject
Spain: the head of Podemos resigns from the government to run for the regional in Madrid
Spain: the movement in support of Pablo Hasél is gaining momentum
Reportage
Covid-19: Spain will impose a PCR test for arrivals by land