The Reconquista Myth and the Rise of Vox in Andalusia

Abstract

Spain has differed from the rest of the European Union for decades due to its absence of far-right party representation in the government. However, that unexpectedly changed when in 2018 the far-right Vox Party infiltrated the regional parliament of Andalusia after a successful election. Despite its recent emergence in 2013, the Vox Party was able to flip the Andalusian parliament after years of social democratic rule. This thesis explores how the Vox Party was able to gain support in the Andalusian region. The Vox Party has invoked the concept of the Reconquista as part of its narrative, a strategy that has been used by far-right entities in Spain since the Franco regime. This thesis argues that the concept of the Reconquista is a historical myth that was created to legitimize Spain through a unified identity. However, it also highlights that constructing a fictional national historiography in order to establish a nation is not unique to Spain. This thesis further argues that the Vox Party instrumentalized the Reconquista, a historical myth, as a narrative that parallels the current conditions of contemporary Spain. By continuing to mold Spain’s history, specifically the Reconquista, into a national narrative about how Spain is a Catholic nation united against Islam, Vox was able to garner the support of the people of Andalusia. While this thesis acknowledges that there are other factors that contributed to Vox’s success, it adds that the Reconquista is also an important contributor.