Abascal's French Fails: A Viral Moment in Far-Right European Politics

Santiago Abascal's French Fails at Far-Right Summit: A Humorous Yet Telling Incident On June 9th, 2025, a video went viral showcasing Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain's far-right Vox party, struggling to deliver a speech in French at the "Fête de la Victoire," a gathering of the European Patriots group in Mormant sur Vernisson, France. The event, celebrating their success in the previous year's European Parliament elections, brought together leaders of various far-right parties across Europe, including Marine Le Pen of France's National Rally. Abascal's attempt to address Le Pen and the audience in French was met with difficulty, his pronunciation significantly hindering comprehension. The video quickly spread across social media, highlighting the contrast between Abascal's political ambitions on the European stage and his limited command of French. Many online comments focused on the irony of his struggles, given Vox's frequent criticisms of multilingualism in Spain. "His French is as good as his politics," one social media user commented, highlighting the widespread reaction to the video. Another comment read, "This makes us the laughingstock of Europe!" These comments speak to the broader sentiment surrounding the video and the political implications of Abascal's linguistic difficulties. The incident provides a glimpse into the complexities of far-right European politics and the challenges faced by leaders attempting to build cross-national alliances. While the video's humor is undeniable, it also raises questions about the communication skills and preparedness of political figures operating on an international stage.