Santiago Abascal, leader of Vox, claims to take his inspiration from President Trump

Alberto Asarta, while commander of the UN peacekeeping force, had a tour of duty in Lebanon and fought in Iraq, but he may soon face action in a different theatre of battle: on the floor of the Spanish parliament as an MP for Vox.

The most prominent far-right party since the end of Franco’s dictatorship in 1975, Vox is expected to win up to 30 seats in parliament in this Sunday’s general election.

General Asarta, 68, is among a colourful crop of retired military men, bullfighters and middle-class professionals running for a party poised to deliver the latest populist shock to Europe’s political establishment.

Santiago Abascal is counting on voter frustration at the status quo to boost his party’s showing at the polls JON NAZCA/AP

Polls suggest that the Socialists will win the largest share of the vote but it is a close race, and should