Spanish Catholic Movement

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The Spanish Catholic Movement (Spanish: Movimiento Católico Español, MCE) is a minor integralist and nationalist political party in Spain. The party has been led by José Luis Corral, a former member of New Force (FN), since its foundation.[1]

It was founded in 1982 as a splinter party of New Force, then led by Blas Piñar.[2] The party was born out of dissatisfied factions of the former, after Corral, alongside other members, left the party due to internal issues and discussions with the leadership.[3] The MCE gained notoriety in the 1980s, during the years following the Spanish transition to democracy. Most of its members were militant and were known for their street activity.[4] During its political history, the organization has joined multiple coalitions, such as Coalición de Unidad Nacional in 1986, the Alianza por la Unidad Nacional in 1996, and La España en Marcha in 2014, where it currently remains.[5]

The MCE has as fundamental principles Catholic confesionalism, the defense of Spain and the Spanish tradition, and national syndicalism.[4] At the same time, it opposes liberalism, communism, and parliamentarism, as well as abortion, same-sex marriage, feminism, and racism.[2] The organization upholds the legacy of both José Antonio Primo de Rivera and Francisco Franco, and has participated in the manifestations of 20-N, the anniversary of their deaths.[6] Although supportive of monarchism, the MCE opposes the House of Bourbon.[2]

History

MCE was founded in 1982 as a splinter group from Fuerza Nueva, led by José Luis Corral. In the Spanish general elections of 1982, the party received 996 votes, less than 1% of the total. In the following years, the MCE organized masses, tributes to the Blue Division veterans and to the "fallen for Spain", as well as numerous rallies against abortion. The party has its ideological roots in Acción Española and Renovación Española, integralist, and traditionalist organizations during the Spanish Civil War. In the last 10 years, the party has also organized acts against homosexuals[7][8] or Catalan separatism.[9]

References

  1. 1.Albin, Danilo (19 November 2024). "La ultraderecha camufla el acto franquista del 20N como una protesta contra la Ley de Memoria Democrática". Público (in Spanish).
  2. 2.[2.2][2.3]Juste, Adrián (11 February 2021). "Radiografía de los partidos políticos españoles de extrema derecha". Al Descubierto (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  3. 3.Samdahl Weltz 2014, p. 73.
  4. 4.[4.2]Samdahl Weltz 2014, p. 73-74.
  5. 5.""La España en Marcha": la extrema derecha busca reorganizarse". Eldiario.es. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  6. 6.Morillas, Francisco (16 July 2010). "José Luis Corral: "Muchísimos dirigentes de todos los partidos proceden de familias del Régimen de Franco"". Minuto Digital. Archived from the original on 20 July 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  7. 7."La Policía reprime una protesta en Chueca contra la convocatoria (autorizada) de un acto fascista en Chamberí". Dosmanzanas.com. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  8. 8.Paradinas, Marcos (4 July 2015). "Homofobia y banderas franquistas: el bochornoso espectáculo que el PP permite el día del Orgullo". Elplural.com. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  9. 9.Garrido, José María (5 October 2014). "La extrema derecha quema retratos de Pujol y Mas ante la pasividad de la Fiscalía y el Gobierno". Elplural.com. Retrieved 8 June 2016.