Wow, today's antifascism in Spain is going hard..
A photo of Pablo Iglesias, Irene Montero and the head of FACUA at an antifascist event reopens the debate over the politicization of Spanish consumer associations.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Living-room antifascism: when FACUA becomes a political union
A photo of four left-wing figures —Pablo Iglesias, Irene Montero, the secretary general of FACUA and a Sumar MP— at an 'antifascist' event has peine the debate over the role of consumer associations. FACUA, founded to defend consumers, appears increasingly aligned with the far left, according to critics.
The PSOE's pet outfit
The main accusation is that FACUA, despite its supposed independence, operates as an appendage of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE). Critics point out that its leader, Rubén Sánchez, takes part in political rallies and that the organization receives public subsidies while acting as a battering ram against the government of the day. "Consumers in action," some quip, referring to the political activism of its executives.
Consumers or activists
The question many are asking is whether a consumer association should take political sides. "Consumers are both right-wing and left-wing," the argument goes. However, FACUA's defenders maintain that defending consumer rights is inherently political and that denouncing abuses is not partisan. The controversy heats up when it is recalled that the libertarian ateneos, the venues where these events are organized, are considered "strongholds of the far left."
Antifascism as a smokescreen
Many see this photo as a propaganda operation: "The four horsemen of the apocalypse" acting together to mobilize their base. Today's antifascism is compared with that of the 1930s, but with the caveat that "there are more fascists in 2026 than in 1930 thanks to these policies." The scene provokes skepticism, with comments like "now that I think about it, Antichrist and Antifascism sound almost the same."
The question left hanging: does FACUA defend all consumers, or only those who vote for its party?
Related discussions in the forum
A photo of four left-wing figures —Pablo Iglesias, Irene Montero, the secretary general of FACUA and a Sumar MP— at an 'antifascist' event has peine the debate over the role of consumer associations. FACUA, founded to defend consumers, appears increasingly aligned with the far left, according to critics.
The PSOE's pet outfit
The main accusation is that FACUA, despite its supposed independence, operates as an appendage of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE). Critics point out that its leader, Rubén Sánchez, takes part in political rallies and that the organization receives public subsidies while acting as a battering ram against the government of the day. "Consumers in action," some quip, referring to the political activism of its executives.
Consumers or activists
The question many are asking is whether a consumer association should take political sides. "Consumers are both right-wing and left-wing," the argument goes. However, FACUA's defenders maintain that defending consumer rights is inherently political and that denouncing abuses is not partisan. The controversy heats up when it is recalled that the libertarian ateneos, the venues where these events are organized, are considered "strongholds of the far left."
Antifascism as a smokescreen
Many see this photo as a propaganda operation: "The four horsemen of the apocalypse" acting together to mobilize their base. Today's antifascism is compared with that of the 1930s, but with the caveat that "there are more fascists in 2026 than in 1930 thanks to these policies." The scene provokes skepticism, with comments like "now that I think about it, Antichrist and Antifascism sound almost the same."
The question left hanging: does FACUA defend all consumers, or only those who vote for its party?
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (66 replies).
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