Francisco Franco

Spain has long been disconnected from the high-speed rail network that crisscrosses Europe. But no longer. A new line connected Madrid, Barcelona and Paris opened last week.

The extreme right has found a great deal of support as Europe’s economies lurch toward economic recovery. They’re typically anti-immigrant and often anti-European government. In Greece they’ve risen to national positions, but in Spain, unique circumstances are holding them back.

Spain’s new conservative government is making time from its efforts to rescue the country’s moribund economy and instead work on rolling back laws changed under the last, Socialist government. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has introduced a bill to re-criminalize abortion.

98-year-old James Benet left the United States in his 20s to fight on the Republican side of the Spanish Civil War. The Republicans were backed not only by foreigners, like Benet, but also by Mexico and the Soviet Union. After his side lost, Benet came back to a United States where he was immediately viewed as a communist.

Radical right political parties have made gains all across Europe, gaining strength and political power. But in Spain, the far right is faring less well. Extremists have failed to capitalize on the economic crisis and joblessness to gain followers.