Mohammed VI and Pedro Sanchez Caught in a Satirical Storm: Unraveling the Tangled Web of Politics
BY: Hana Saada
Madrid, Spain – July 14th, 2023- A satirical cartoon surfaced in Madrid, featuring the Moroccan King, Mohammed VI, and the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, engaging in a controversial act. The cartoon, displayed on a banner by the Obrero Front, a Marxist-Leninist group participating in their inaugural general elections, has sparked intense discussions regarding the potential response of the king and the possibility of his silence being imposed.
QUE TE VOTE MOHAMED VI pic.twitter.com/wpu2IKc4Tz
— Frente Obrero España (@frenteobreroesp) July 14, 2023
This is not the first time the Left Front, also known as the “Workers’ Front,” has showcased a similar drawing, as a previous banner with the same slogan, “Mohammed VI should vote for you,” was displayed just days before (July 07th, 2023). The Obrero Front, espousing a Marxist-Leninist ideology and advocating for a popular and federal republic, has been gaining attention since its inception last year.
Advocating for a popular and federal republic, this movement has successfully united various subsidiary organizations under its umbrella. From the passionate youth of Juventud Combativa to the determined students of Estudiantes en Lucha, the Uberiro Front encompasses a diverse range of individuals committed to fighting for the rights and well-being of the working class.
Fermin Turia, a spokesperson for the organization, expressed the sentiment behind the provocative image, saying, “In the face of Moroccan expansionism and the dictatorship of Mohammed VI, the Spanish workers, the true patriots, say: You will not pass.” Turia shared his thoughts on Twitter while standing in front of the drawing.
At the forefront of the movement stands “Roberto Vaquero,” a prominent figure who emerges from the depths of the communist youth. However, Vaquero’s presence carries a unique significance, for he proudly proclaims to have distanced himself from these once fervently held convictions. He recounts a journey marked by disillusionment and a profound sense of dissatisfaction, ultimately leading him to sever ties with the ideological and political decline that plagued his former comrades. With an impressive following of over 140,000 loyal supporters on his YouTube channel, the influential figure possesses an unrivaled platform for engaging with front members and supporters alike.
The satirical cartoon, featuring Mohammed VI and Pedro Sanchez, serves as a reflection of the ongoing election campaign in Spain. The image portrays the Moroccan king in an indecent position with the Spanish prime minister, with the inclusion of a color flag symbolizing homosexuality on the king’s attire, which is a traditional Moroccan cloak.
Coinciding with the controversial image, a debate between the leading candidates for prime minister, Pedro Sanchez and opposition leader Núñez Viejo, has unfolded. The discussion focused on the Zionist Pegasus program and Sanchez’s alignment with Morocco’ stance on the Western Sahara issue, as reported by the Financial Times.
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez-Feijóo questioned Sanchez about any potential links between the Pegasus scandal and a change in his position on Western Sahara, an accusation the Spanish prime minister vehemently denied. The opposition leader further demanded transparency, asking whether Morocco had influenced the dismissal of Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya, stressing the importance of public knowledge in this matter.
