FAR-RIGHT Vox’s plan to give Spanish nationals priority over foreign residents for public services could breach EU law, Brussels has warned.
Magnus Brunner, the European commissioner for internal affairs and migration, said country nationals and long-term foreign residents must be given equal access to public aid under European directives and EU Court of Justice (CJEU) rulings.
The warning comes as Vox promotes its flagship ‘national priority’ plan as part of its manifesto ahead of the next general election, scheduled for November 29.
Responding to a question from an MEP on Tuesday, Brunner said: “Member states cannot unilaterally impose a residency requirement longer than the established five-year period.”
He added that EU law guarantees equal treatment in areas such as ‘social security benefits, social assistance and social protection, as well as procedures for accessing housing.’
The EU Commission’s stance could complicate Vox’s plans to roll out its national priority plan if the party enters government as part of a right-wing coalition with the conservative Partido Popular (PP).
The controversial proposal aims to give Spanish nationals priority over foreign residents when accessing public housing and social benefits, including unemployment assistance and financial support for low-income families.
In four Spanish regions where Vox is part of the governing coalition, the party has secured commitments from the PP to introduce the policy.
Agreements in Andalucia, Aragon, Castilla y Leon and Extremadura all include the principle of national priority for access to housing and public benefits.
However, the proposal has yet to be rolled out in any of the four regions.
Meanwhile, Valencia approved a new law on July 31 introducing a 10-year residency requirement to access housing aids.
The measure has since come under scrutiny from the EU, with Brunner also citing CJEU rulings on indirect discrimination.
The warning presents a potential obstacle for Vox as Spain’s right continues to lead in the polls ahead of the next general election.
READ MORE: Spain’s right leads in polls as Vox support surges before November election
According to a 40dB survey published last week, the far-right party has climbed to 18.9% in voting intentions, up 6.5% from its result in the 2023 general election.
That would give Vox around 66 seats in parliament, making it a significant force in any potential coalition with the PP.
The PP recorded 31.9% in the same poll, the highest share of any party.
A PP-Vox coalition could secure a projected 198 seats in the 350-member Congress of Deputies, according to the survey.
The result would hand PP leader Alberto Nuñez Feijoo victory at the polls, bringing Spain’s right back into government after eight years of socialist PSOE rule.
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