Pablo Iglesias Rejects Pérez-Reverte’s Civil War Debate Invitation Amid Event Controversy
The former Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias has declined author Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s invitation to participate in a Civil War debate series in Seville, calling the forum “a far-right propaganda exercise.” The cancellation follows mass withdrawals from other left-wing figures over concerns about the event’s political framing.
Debate Series Suspended After Wave of Withdrawals
The scheduled October 5-9 debate sessions were suspended this week after historian David Uclés withdrew upon learning that former conservative Prime Minister José María Aznar and ex-Vox leader Iván Espinosa de los Monteros would participate. Uclés’ exit triggered a domino effect, with IU leader Antonio Maíllo, writer Paco Cerdá, and former Socialist Deputy PM Carmen Calvo subsequently canceling their participation.
Iglesias’ Scathing Critique of Forum Framework
On TVE’s Malas Lenguas program, the Podemos co-founder dismissed Pérez-Reverte’s invitation with biting sarcasm: “It’s like Julio Iglesias organizing a conference on feminism.” While thanking the author, Iglesias stated he doesn’t participate in “forums organized by far-right propagandists who insult and provoke,” specifically accusing Pérez-Reverte of behaving as “a right-wing propagandist who constantly insults left-wing parties.”
Iglesias instead proposed debating Pérez-Reverte on the public broadcaster’s La 2 channel, arguing that progressive voices shouldn’t legitimize what he considers “frameworks established by the right and far-right to discuss the Civil War.” He emphasized professional historians should avoid platforms that create false equivalencies between academic research and political revisionism.
Pérez-Reverte’s Counter-Invitation and Response
The acclaimed novelist extended what he called an “express invitation” for Iglesias to “dissent in a reasonable and civilized manner” rather than send critics (“crackers”). Pérez-Reverte noted the symmetrical refusal from both Podemos and Vox to participate in previous debate editions, framing it as political polarization hindering historical discourse.
A Broader Clash Over Historical Memory
This controversy reflects Spain’s ongoing tensions over Civil War interpretation. According to a 2023 CIS survey, 40% of Spaniards believe political parties exploit historical memory for contemporary gain. Historians like Julián Casanova (author of A Short History of the Spanish Civil War) warn that public debates require “expert moderation to prevent ideological weaponization.”
The canceled Seville forum underscores how Spain’s past remains contested terrain, with Iglesias’ rejection highlighting left-wing concerns about ceding narrative control to conservative voices. As historical memory laws continue to spark debate, this incident demonstrates the challenges of creating spaces where Spain’s complex history can be discussed without descending into partisan conflict.
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