Spain’s conservative landscape might be in for a shake-up. Talk of a new right-wing political force is gaining traction, with ex-members of VOX and Ciudadanos reportedly laying the groundwork for an alternative ahead of the 2027 elections. The idea? To serve as a bridge between the center-right Popular Party (PP) and the more hardline VOX—while injecting a liberal-libertarian twist into the mix.
At the heart of this potential movement are former VOX heavyweights Iván Espinosa de los Monteros and Macarena Olona, alongside Marcos de Quinto (ex-Ciudadanos and former Coca-Cola exec) and Víctor Sánchez del Real (a former VOX deputy). Behind closed doors, these figures have been hashing out strategies, weighing the feasibility of creating a fresh political platform that appeals to disillusioned conservative voters.
Political consultant and former Ciudadanos senator Fran Carrillo told European Conservative that Spain has millions of voters who feel abandoned by the current parties. With rising taxes, a stagnant quality of life, and growing insecurity, he believes a new party could resonate—especially with younger voters. He points to a critical statistic: four million Spaniards abstained from voting in the last election.
A “Milei-Bukele-Trump” Model?
Discussions about the party’s ideology are leaning toward a bold, no-nonsense approach—something akin to what Javier Milei, Nayib Bukele, and Donald Trump have championed: radical economic reforms, a crackdown on crime, and fierce opposition to political elites. Carrillo argues that the new party should reclaim Ciudadanos’ original values while steering clear of the missteps that led to its downfall.
But not everyone is sold on the idea. Spain’s right-wing spectrum is already fractured, and adding another party could further splinter conservative votes rather than consolidate them. Alvise Pérez, a media figure and Member of the European Parliament for Se Acabó la Fiesta (SALF), has been vocal about his skepticism. In an interview with Distrito TV, he urged Espinosa de los Monteros to act fast and avoid endless ideological debates.
“The country is going bankrupt now—we don’t have time for a think tank,” Pérez warned. He even offered Espinosa de los Monteros the entire SALF structure, pledging to step aside if he took the lead as SALF’s top candidate in the next general election.
SALF made waves in the last European elections, racking up 800,000 votes—reportedly pulling 300,000 from both the PP and VOX, with another 200,000 from abstainers. This underscores the growing appetite for a fresh political alternative, but whether this new project will materialize remains to be seen.
PP’s Role—Helping or Hurting?
Some suspect the Popular Party (PP) might be quietly nudging this initiative forward, hoping to fracture VOX and consolidate its own dominance. Espinosa de los Monteros’ frequent media appearances on PP-aligned platforms have raised eyebrows, with some speculating that PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo could be encouraging the division to create a more favorable electoral landscape for his party.
But here’s the catch: Spain’s electoral system, based on the d’Hondt method, tends to favor bigger parties. Without significant reform, a third force on the right might actually weaken the broader conservative bloc—handing an easy victory to the ruling Socialists (PSOE) and Pedro Sánchez.
For now, the big question isn’t just whether a new party will emerge—but whether it can actually unify the Right. With figures like Isabel Díaz Ayuso offering a more hardline counterbalance within the PP, conservatives already have competing voices. The Spanish Right’s success in 2027 may ultimately hinge on whether it unites—or continues to fight among itself.
