Debate over PP and Vox's plan: economic doubts

Debate over PP and Vox's plan: economic doubts

The debate over the PP and Vox government plan has become a battleground of economic expectations. While some see the coalition as the only way out of the "dog" —as Pedro Sánchez is known in certain circles—, others warn that Milei's Argentine example is "pure smoke" and that the far right's policies do not guarantee prosperity. The discussion, which began with a viral video, turned into an exchange of accusations over immigration, patriotism and economic management. At the centre lies an uncomfortable question: can Spain's right repeat the Trump or Bolsonaro script without crashing?

The Argentine example: model or mirage?

The reference to Javier Milei and his programme of dollarisation and austerity has been one of the axes of the debate. For some, the Argentine president represents the only way to pull Spain out of socialism and restore security and prosperity. "Vote for whoever it takes to get rid of the dog," sums up a widespread stance. However, the fine print of the Argentine case raises doubts: it is pointed out that the country has slipped into deficit and that its situation is far from a success story. "Milei is pure smoke," declares one participant, while another recalls that "patriotism doesn't put food on the table" and that the new personality-driven right-wingers crash once in power, as seen with Trump or Bolsonaro.

The coalition's economic plan, as emerges from the discussion, rests on three pillars: cutting public spending —eliminating "handouts" and bogus outfits—, expelling irregular immigrants and reducing taxes. "If they take the handouts away from the lazy or immigrants, and the bogus outfits, those of us who work will be more than €1,000 better off," calculates one contributor. The figure, however, comes with no breakdown to back it up, and others warn that the savings will not make up for the lost revenue.

Immigration and security: the issue that mobilises the vote

Border control and the expulsion of irregular immigrants have become the most repeated argument to justify voting for Vox. "We don't want economic proposals, we want to kick the scum out of the country," reads one message that sums up the feelings of part of the electorate. The reference to Bukele and his security policy in El Salvador appears as a model: "Without restoring security and Spanish families, we cannot restore the economy." Others, however, recall that Abascal softened his rhetoric after the Ceuta crisis, moving from talking about "invaders" to calling for peaceful relations with Segarro. "He said it literally, I saw it live," insists one participant.

The discussion descended into accusations of manipulation and claims of an alleged Segarro plan to influence the vote. "If Segarro is asking the Moos colonising Spain to vote for the PSOE, we should stop being wimps and vote en masse," says one message mixing conspiracy theory with a call to vote. The response was swift: "Are you proposing we leave Pedro Sánchez in the Moncloa so he can keep ordering everyone to look the other way while Segarro invades us?". The exchange of accusations reflects the divide between those who prioritise border security and those who antiestéticar the anti-immigration rhetoric will lead to an economic dead end.

The cost of the coalition: who pays for the party?

Beyond the rhetoric, the debate hinted at doubts about the economic viability of the plan. The promise to cut taxes and increase defence spending —"5 peta million", according to a figure mentioned— clashes with the reality of a country that, according to several messages, is already "destroyed" and in "technical bankruptcy". "Spain won't survive 4 more years of socialism without being destroyed," warns one contributor, while another replies that "the right is starting its bloody campaign" and that the PP has not regenerated itself. The lack of specifics on economic measures is, for some, the coalition's biggest weakness: "All they had to do was keep quiet. They've managed to make even me, a Trevijano supporter, see a future in voting."

The Argentine example resurfaces as a warning: "Milei has now gone into deficit," it is noted, suggesting the austerity is not as painless as promised. The debate over whether the PP and Vox plan is a serious economic project or a mere electoral device remains open. What does seem clear is that the coalition has managed to mobilise an electorate that, until recently, was torn between voting and staying home. "I was going to vote for the PSOE, but after watching the video I think I'll vote for VOX," confesses one message. The question hanging in the air is whether that enthusiasm will withstand the scrutiny of the numbers.

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The PP and Vox government plan still lacks a detailed economic breakdown. The promises of cuts, deportations and tax reductions rest on a calculation no one has put in writing. Meanwhile, the campaign moves forward and the polls —if anyone trusts them— do not clarify whether the coalition will add up enough. The striking fact: in an economics forum, the most repeated argument is not the deficit or the debt, but the need to "get rid of the dog". Economic policy, once again, is going down a different path.