A crowd of students is gathered outside the campus of CEU San Pablo, a private university in Madrid, waiting for Vito Quiles. When the 25-year-old far-right activist arrives, a celebratory chant goes up, albeit one aimed at Spain’s Socialist prime minister: “Pedro Sánchez, hijo de puta!” (Pedro Sánchez, son of a whore!”).

To cheers and applause, Quiles goes inside to take part in an onstage interview. Such is the demand to see him that many students are turned away.

“We are on the right side of history,” he tells the room, responding to questions put to him by an anchor, as a grim-faced bodyguard stands nearby.

He adds: “In many situations it’s very difficult to give an opinion without being told you’re a fascist. I want to make clear to youngsters who think differently that they are not alone.”

Quiles is Spain’s latest far-right phenomenon, whose social media presence and provocative public persona have given him something like rock-star status among many of the country’s youth.

Vito Quiles, a Spanish far-right activist compares himself to Charlie Kirk. Photograph: Guy Hedgecoe

“The way young people think is changing; a lot of us are tired of the same old thing,” says Antonio Aranguren, a student at the event. “Vito Quiles is one of the few people of our generation who is trying to change things.”

“I identify with him, he’s calling for freedom,” says Julia Monje, another student.

Yet many others believe Quiles is part of a deeply disturbing phenomenon that is a throwback to the ideas and values of the brutal regime of Francisco Franco.

Francisco Franco.