Spain's €12 million 'You're a democrat' campaign sparks online outrage
€12 million spent on a viral campaign many call propaganda: what could that money have paid for instead? Social media is furious.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The 'You're a democrat and don't know it' video sparks controversy: €12 million some see as a waste of money
An official video with a catchy beat and a message meant to 'make citizens feel like democrats' has cost the public purse €12 million. The figure, confirmed by sources from the campaign, has triggered a wave of criticism on social media and economics forums, where people question how the money was spent amid cuts to healthcare and education.
What could €12 million have paid for?
The comparison is inevitable: that budget could fund dozens of operating theatres or hire hundreds of temporary teachers. Instead, the Spanish Government opted for an audiovisual production that some call 'chavismo' and others a 'mockery'. The video, complete with choreography and upbeat messages, has been branded propaganda by part of public opinion.
The reaction: outrage and irony
The campaign, titled 'You're a democrat and don't know it', has been met with scepticism. While some compare it to Latin American populist strategies, others see it as plain waste. Some joke that the beat could be a hit at the beach bars of Puerto Banús, making it clear the content fails to convince. The general feeling is that the money could have been better spent on more urgent needs.
The controversy was quick to trinc: comments keep repeating the idea that this is a €12 million campaign draining resources from essential services. The Government, for now, has not given a detailed explanation of the expected return on this propaganda investment. The final tally: the video has been shared massively, but not exactly for its quality.
An official video with a catchy beat and a message meant to 'make citizens feel like democrats' has cost the public purse €12 million. The figure, confirmed by sources from the campaign, has triggered a wave of criticism on social media and economics forums, where people question how the money was spent amid cuts to healthcare and education.
What could €12 million have paid for?
The comparison is inevitable: that budget could fund dozens of operating theatres or hire hundreds of temporary teachers. Instead, the Spanish Government opted for an audiovisual production that some call 'chavismo' and others a 'mockery'. The video, complete with choreography and upbeat messages, has been branded propaganda by part of public opinion.
The reaction: outrage and irony
The campaign, titled 'You're a democrat and don't know it', has been met with scepticism. While some compare it to Latin American populist strategies, others see it as plain waste. Some joke that the beat could be a hit at the beach bars of Puerto Banús, making it clear the content fails to convince. The general feeling is that the money could have been better spent on more urgent needs.
The controversy was quick to trinc: comments keep repeating the idea that this is a €12 million campaign draining resources from essential services. The Government, for now, has not given a detailed explanation of the expected return on this propaganda investment. The final tally: the video has been shared massively, but not exactly for its quality.
Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (10 replies).
More summaries
-
Spain's PSOE launches '50 Years of Freedom' campaign, sparking controversy
Spain's PSOE launches its controversial '50 Years of Freedom' campaign: a video featuring ministers, accusations of wasteful spending and a debate over the use of public resources in times of…
-
Spanish government spends 15 million in public money on political clothing brand
Spain's government has earmarked 15 million for DMOCRACIA, a clothing brand promoted by influencer Marina Rivers. Efficient spending or propaganda?
-
Bolaños' viral video: a chair and a failed travel campaign
Félix Bolaños' video recommending trips has gone viral over a prop blunder. Behind the meme lies a lesson in political communication.
-
Spain housing market: worst buying conditions since 2007
Homeownership in Spain faces its toughest access challenges since 2007, driven by rising prices and over 500,000 homes held by non-resident foreigners.
-
29N: your ballot as a ticket straight into the system's crack
The 29N vote arrives with the thesis that voting only legitimises the system's administrator: they decide, you pay. An analysis of the ballot as a ticket into the crack.
-
The math comparing the cost of a girlfriend with paying for sex
A calculation circulating on a forum compares the cost of a girlfriend, a wife and a divorce with paying for encounters: 81,000 euros versus 51,000 over five years.