Taking Sánchez to prison, more penalties for insulting Spain and quotas of immigrants in the classrooms: this is the Vox program

MadridVox's electoral program for the 29th of November reflects the strategic evolution that Santiago Abascal's party has undergone since 2023. Among the 115 proposals contained in the document they have presented for the 2026 elections, some stand out for their harshness compared to the rest of the parties, especially regarding immigration. But in comparison with the electoral program from three and a half years ago, the far-right group has made some of the measures that had caused the most scandal disappear or has toned them down, such as those referring to Catalan or the self-government of Catalonia, as well as in such sensitive matters as abortion or euthanasia. An approach that is part of the commitment to project a more institutional and less threatening image than a few years ago and to adapt the tone to the scenario of a hypothetical government with the PP in the State.

The first section of the election program is focused on Ceuta and on the censure of the Spanish executive's actions regarding the “invasion.” Vox proposes “promoting the prosecution of Pedro Sánchez and his government before the courts for treason and crimes against the security of the State.” The crime of treason is punishable under the Spanish Penal Code by between fifteen and twenty years in prison. Abascal’s party also proposes “pushing for sanctions” and “suspending international agreements” with Morocco “until it respects the borders,” which Vox also wants to “militarize.”

“Not one more” is the mantra of Abascal’s party regarding immigration. Vox intends to tighten the requirements for acquiring Spanish nationality, create a “remigration” plan to return foreigners “who do not contribute or live on public subsidies,” as well as the “deportation” of those who commit crimes or “attempt to impose customs, habits, or foreign cultures.” Regarding the welcoming of newcomers in classrooms, Abascal’s party proposes a quota system with “the establishment of a maximum number of students per classroom from other cultures or with insufficient command of Spanish” and the “creation of specific leveling classrooms.”

The principle of national priority, which it has already exported to government programs with the PP in Extremadura, Aragon, Castile and León, and Andalusia, also underpins Vox's proposals. “Spaniards first,” says the document, which proposes “excluding foreigners in an illegal situation” from the public healthcare system. They could only be attended to “in cases of serious emergency.” Another point proposes “suppressing all aid and social benefits for illegal immigrants” and prohibiting them from renting housing.

The unity of Spain

“A forceful response to attacks against national unity”. The defense of Spain is also one of the principles of Vox's electoral program, with the restoration of the crime of sedition or the “outlawing of political parties, associations or organizations of any kind that undermine the sovereignty and independence of Spain, its unity and territorial integrity”. They also speak of “increasing” penalties “for offenses and outrages against Spain” and of “guaranteeing education in Spanish”. However, in the midst of Vox's attempt to fish for Aliança Catalana voters, the Spanish far-right has given much less weight to this issue and has downgraded the content in this area compared to the 2023 program. Three and a half years ago, Abascal's party spoke of “ending linguistic apartheid” and “immediately suspending autonomy” in the face of the use of resources that “undermine the unity of Spain”.

Taxation and social matters

Another of the axes on which Vox has tiptoed is that of subjects such as abortion or euthanasia. If in the 23-J program it spoke openly about repealing the laws that allow both things, in the 29-N one it camouflages this ultra-conservative agenda with a more generic mention of “the defense of the right to life from its conception until natural death”. What Vox does say is that it will repeal “the laws that have criminalized men” in a point that criticizes “gender laws”, as well as the democratic memory and housing laws. On the other hand, Abascal's followers propose an unspecific “massive tax cut”, while at the same time they want to apply a “tax on remittances abroad”.