Vox leader Santiago Abascal has again mounted a horse during the Extremadura election campaign, wearing a wool poncho in the dehesa. The shared images on social media have sparked memes and jokes, though some supporters see it as reflecting traditional Spanish values.
Santiago Abascal, Vox leader, took part in a campaign event in Extremadura where he rode a horse for the second time, echoing a similar action from 2018. The photos and video posted on his Instagram account show the politician herding black merino sheep in the Extremadura dehesa, near Cornalvo Natural Park. In a prior post, Abascal wrote: “Ready to head to the field... Extremadura style”, posing in his wool poncho.
The scene, intended as epic by Abascal's team, has been met with humor on social media. Users have compared the image to scenes from telenovelas like Pasión de Gavilanes and nicknamed him “Nocurro Jiménez”. Phrases like “In his head it was spectacular”, reminiscent of the comedy group Pantomima Full, have spread widely. Yet, some supporters have praised the initiative for representing “the values” and “the traditions” of Spain.
This episode occurs amid the campaign for regional elections in Extremadura, where Vox aims to bolster its presence. The mixed reactions underscore the polarization around Abascal's public image, blending admiration for his rural ties and satirical critiques of the staging.