Spain's weary and still divided voters go to the polls once more

The rise of the far-right and how alliances will be forged in the new parliament are the key issues for Spain in these EU elections.

Transcript

00:00 EU elections are just around the corner in Spain.

00:06 The campaign saw political parties putting on a harsh confrontation.

00:12 The debate focused on both local and international issues.

00:16 We have been talking a lot about issues that have to do with international politics,

00:21 but not necessarily related to the European Union, for example.

00:24 The diplomatic crisis with Argentina or the recognition of Palestine

00:28 have been some of the most important issues in this first phase.

00:31 However, local issues soon overshadowed European matters,

00:36 such as farmer protests or migration.

00:39 During the second half of the campaign, especially on Wednesday,

00:44 national issues have clearly regained momentum.

00:47 This has to do with the imputation and the citation to declare the woman president,

00:51 which has put the focus back on issues that have to do with domestic policy,

00:56 with a view on the government and not so much on issues related to Europe.

01:00 The campaign has mainly focused on the rise of the far right

01:04 and the future alliances in the European Parliament.

01:08 Basically, the European climate, the climate of opinion,

01:10 is connected with the rise of the far right.

01:13 And this connects very well with the same dynamics that we have experienced in Spain

01:16 during the last few years.

01:17 In other words, Spain is not different.

01:20 Spain has had issues of discussion that are quite similar to those of other countries in our environment.

01:24 While national parties try to gauge their strength in the elections,

01:29 turnout remains a crucial factor.

01:32 Usually, barely 40% of Spaniards go to the polls in European elections.

01:38 Spain has been immersed in a perpetual electoral campaign for months, perhaps years.

01:43 The great polarization that the Spanish society is experiencing

01:46 can generate an increase in participation in these elections,

01:49 or on the contrary, it will test the enthusiasm and the zeal of the Spanish citizens

01:54 who have to go to an election again.

01:57 We will all know the next 9th of June.

02:00 In Madrid, Jaime Velázquez, Euronews.

02:04 Translated by Elham Arabi

02:08 (whooshing)