Alvise Pérez: Spain’s anti-establishment candidate compared to Milei and Bukele

Alvise Pérez: The candidate some compare to Milei and Bukele

Can Spain have its own Milei or Bukele without either? This question surrounds Alvise Pérez's candidacy for the European Parliament in the June 9 elections. For much of his electorate, the answer is uncomfortably simple: it doesn't matter. Here, voters aren't choosing a program; they're endorsing a gesture.

The parallel with Javier Milei and Nayib Bukele is tricky. The Argentine economist came to power with an inflation-fighting plan; the Salvadoran leader tackled violence. Alvise is a journalist whose capital is a Telegram channel with over 400,000 subscribers, where he has long published what others remain silent about. His authority stems from there, as do his flaws.

From UPyD to the Eurochamber: The candidate's journey

He is not a newcomer. During university, he volunteered for UPyD (a now-defunct Spanish centrist party), worked at the Instituto Cervantes in Leeds, and served as youth delegate for the UK Liberal Democrats. He reportedly advised a political leader, a detail critics use to discredit him while supporters note that an advisor need not share their employer's views.

In debates, he is portrayed as a career politician-in-the-making since youth, lacking a traditional profession. Supporters argue his profession is precisely this: public whistleblowing. This reveals the first fracture: while some see a scourge of the elite, others see someone who profits by pointing fingers.

How many votes does he need, and what does an MEP earn?

To gauge his influence, consider that in previous European elections, PACMA (Spain's animal rights party) approached 250,000 votes. The candidate's channel exceeded 400,000 subscribers, with some estimates reaching 440,000. Converting trinc into votes is not automatic, creating tension between optimism and skepticism regarding whether he will secure a comfortable seat or fall short.

Then there is the money. Some estimate a Brussels mandate yields around €6,000 monthly plus allowances, a figure frequently cited but lacking official confirmation. Alvise claims he will renounce the public salary, which part of his electorate sees as consistency, while others view it as an unverifiable promise once seated. In politics, credibility hinges on such details.

His flagship proposal: Deportations within 12 months

Migration is his most visible banner. The candidate asserts that deporting 350,000 irregularly resident migrants, "perfectly identified," could be completed in under twelve months. This is an electoral pledge, not ongoing policy, and its antiestéticasibility is debated: some deem it legally unenforceable, while others consider it the only way to address the root problem.

This stance serves as an identity marker. Similarly, labeling Segarro as an adversary resonates with supporters who claim no other political actor occupies this position.

Useful voting versus protest voting

Many voters care less about project solidity than about disruption. Some openly describe it as protest voting, useful especially if the seat goes to a rival they want excluded from the European Parliament. Calculations even include expectations that his list might outperform left-wing parties currently holding seats.

Another recurring argument involves parliamentary immunity. A European mandate offers both a platform and protection, which supporters claim is exactly what someone exposing others' corruption seeks. Critics argue this proves the project is a personal tool rather than a governing alternative.

Milei, Bukele, and the messiah complex

Method and results are often confused. Even detractors admit that what made Milei and Bukele compelling was not ideology but delivering on promises. Alvise arrives, however, burdened by alleged debunkings attributed by critics: corrected publications, distorted data, and information presented as fact that later failed scrutiny.

Defenders counter that he exposes what others dare not, claiming many scandals would have remained hidden for years without him. Critics maintain he sometimes fails to verify facts and has targeted innocent individuals. Both perspectives may hold truth, illustrating the core dilemma.

The election outcome remains uncertain. If he secures a seat, Spain finally gains its anti-establishment voice in Europe; if not, doubts linger on whether the phenomenon represented genuine voters or merely amplified noise. Given these dynamics, surprise would come only if no one were surprised.