PP Promises to Restore National Bullfighting Award
The party pledges legal protection and economic promotion for traditional bullfighting activities in Spain.
1Restoring the National Award
The Partido Popular has officially included the restoration of the National Bullfighting Award in its electoral program. This move aims to reverse the 2024 decision by Minister of Culture Ernest Urtasun to eliminate the prize. The party intends to strengthen the presence and economic projection of bullfighting both within and outside Spain.
2Context of the 2024 Abolition
In 2024, Minister Ernest Urtasun removed the award, arguing that traditions evolve and public funding should not support animal cruelty. However, this decision triggered a significant mobilization among various autonomous communities, including those governed by the PSOE, which responded by creating their own regional awards to support the cultural practice of bullfighting.
3Constitutional and Legal Framework
The PP justifies this policy through Article 46 of the Spanish Constitution, which mandates that public authorities promote the enrichment of the nation's historical and cultural heritage. Furthermore, the Constitutional Court previously ruled that bullfighting is legally protected as culture, effectively preventing regional governments from imposing total bans on the practice.
4Political Strategy and Competition
The promise to restore the award serves as a strategic move during the current electoral campaign. The PP faces competition from Vox, which seeks to position itself as the primary defender of bullfighting. By adopting this stance, the PP aims to reclaim its influence over traditionalist voters and solidify its cultural platform.
5Resilience of Bullfighting Attendance
Despite the government's attempt to de-legitimize the practice by removing the national award, attendance at major bullrings has continued to break records. The symbolic abolition in 2024 failed to produce practical results in reducing interest, instead fostering a stronger defensive alliance among regional governments and the Foundation for Fighting Bulls.
6Institutional Support Mechanisms
Following the removal of the state-sponsored prize, the Senate stepped in to maintain the tradition by supporting the Foundation for Fighting Bulls in organizing the recognition. This year, the award was presented to Curro Vázquez, demonstrating that the institutional infrastructure for the prize remained active despite the central government's withdrawal of support.
7The PSOE's Internal Dilemma
The abolition of the award placed the PSOE in a difficult position, as the party had to balance its coalition with Sumar against the pro-bullfighting sentiments of its own regional leaders. Pedro Sánchez’s government allowed the removal to mark a political profile, yet this created friction with traditionalist sectors of his party.
8Future Cultural Policy Outlook
The debate over bullfighting remains a complex ideological battle in Spain, transcending simple left-right divisions. While the PP plans to use the award to protect cultural roots, the underlying tension regarding animal welfare and tradition persists. The outcome of the upcoming election will determine the official status of these cultural manifestations.
Original article: El Mundo – España — PP Promises to Restore National Bullfighting Award