The Vox spokesperson in Congress, Pepa Millán, attributed her party’s decision to forego participation in official ceremonies to reasons of political coherence, stressing that any participation in events of this type would, according to her argument, mean supporting a “simulation of democratic normality” under the current government of Pedro Sánchez. The newspaper Europa Press reported that this position was communicated in a letter addressed to the chief of defense staff and was later emphasized in public statements by Millán in which he justified Vox’s absence at the hoisting of the Spanish flag in front of the Chamber of Deputies.
According to Europa Press, Vox formalized its refusal to participate in this institutional honor by stating that, according to its analysis, the central administration exploits both state institutions and national symbols for partisan purposes. This position is part of a strategy promoted by the leadership of Santiago Abascal that distances the party from celebrations and official events promoted by the executive, thus creating a change in its opposition dynamic and deepening the distance from traditional institutional protocols.
During a new intervention reported by Europa Press on the RNE program “Parliament”, Millán stressed that any presence of Vox in official activities would be interpreted internally as legitimizing government actions that, in her opinion, were harmful to the constitutional system and the principles of the rule of law. In this sense, the MP made it clear that for Vox the only possible strategy is to avoid any gesture that could be understood as support or normalization of the leadership of the Cabinet led by Sánchez and to strengthen confrontation as the central axis of its opposition.
This has led to direct criticism of the position of the People’s Party (PP), the main opposition force, which takes part in institutional events that Vox does not attend. Europa Press reported that Millán questioned the PP’s coherence in participating in these events, stating: “We don’t understand it and we don’t think many will understand it either.” In doing so, Vox emphasizes both an ideological and practical distance from the opposition strategy of the popular parties.
The defense of state symbols and the invocation of the constitution form core elements of the objections put forward by Vox. The medium Europa Press detailed that Millán stressed that his group rejects any intervention that could suggest institutional stability, as it believes that the executive branch undermines the independence of the judiciary, national dignity and the normal functioning of state authorities. From Vox’s perspective, attending government-sponsored honors or events would be tantamount to supporting reforms and policies that the party objects to.
According to Europa Press, Millán’s other criticisms focused on the political use he believes the government is making of the Crown’s institutions and personality. He accused the executive of using institutional architecture as a safeguard against citizen control and in favor of partisan interests, which he argued ultimately undermines the legitimacy and independence of bodies essential to constitutional balance.
The connection between the PP and the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party has also been questioned. Europa Press reported that Millán described the relationship between the two groups as “collusion,” illustrating this with recent situations such as the joint appearance of Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Emiliano García-Page in public forums and popular support for the reform of Article 49 of the Constitution, which aimed to eliminate references to the term “diminished.” In this context, Millán stressed that the socialist deputies of Castile-La Mancha have not shown internal divisions in votes that Vox considers particularly important.
Europa Press emphasized that Vox’s attitude towards honors and other institutional celebrations does not obey a specific situation, but rather a strategic directive established by Santiago Abascal. Millán announced that the party would maintain its distanced stance as long as what it considers to be behavior that it describes as “corruption” and the government’s “blatant use” of institutions continues.
Vox’s decision to distance itself from institutional events comes at a time when differences within the opposition over the way of dealing with state ceremonies are becoming increasingly obvious. Europa Press’ reporting shows that disagreement over the appropriateness of attending official ceremonies has increased political polarization, widening the divide not only in the government-opposition direction, but also in the relationship between the various opposition candidates.
According to the information published by Europa Press, Vox interprets his absence from official honors as an active protest and an endorsement against what it defines as the promotion of an alleged “non-existent” institutional normality promoted by the Sánchez government. For Millán, the commitment to defend national symbols and the Constitution means avoiding any kind of collaboration with programs or events promoted or protected by the executive branch.
According to statements carried by Europa Press, Vox intends to stick to this approach as long as its objections to the central government’s work towards state institutions remain. The party’s strategy sees its distancing from official events as an essential part of its opposition identity and as a method of distancing itself from both the executive and the opposition parties, which continue to participate in institutional ceremonies and celebrations.
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