Controversy erupted in the Balearic Parliament after Vox deputy Sergio Rodríguez praised the Francoist victory during a plenary session held on the first of April. His comments, made in accordance with the Spanish government’s celebrations for the day, drew immediate backlash from the opposing PSOE party, which accused him of glorifying a notorious past. PSOE spokesperson Iago Negueruela demanded the president of the chamber, Gabriel Le Senne, withdraw the remarks but was silenced instead.

The PSOE condemned the absence of decisive action from the Popular Party (PP), accusing them of complicity by remaining neutral and not distancing themselves from Vox’s rhetoric. They have argued that such statements not only trivialise the history of Franco’s dictatorship but also insult the memory of victims who fought against it. As tensions rose, sources from the PSOE described the situation in the Parliament as unacceptable and called it a breach of the Democratic Memory Law.

In response, the organisation Memòria de Mallorca has considered taking legal action against Rodríguez for his comments, asserting that such expressions must be addressed to preserve the dignity of the Parliament. The president of Memòria de Mallorca, Maria Antònia Oliver, stated that Rodríguez’s comments were intolerable and urged the PP to reflect on their democratic values.

This incident is not isolated; Rodríguez has previously made controversial remarks in the chamber, drawing on figures associated with fascism. Furthermore, ongoing investigations into President Le Senne continue as he faces scrutiny for failing to adequately respond to such provocative statements. The PP stands at a crossroads, as it must decide how to navigate these contentious relationships with Vox amidst rising public scrutiny.