The leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, launched a fierce attack on the head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez, on Wednesday, accusing him of using Gaza as a “smokescreen” to “cover up his own embarrassments”. He urged Sánchez to spare him his “lessons on humanity”, asserting that he would even negotiate with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to remain in power”. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has called on the Popular Group to “listen” to the independent commission appointed by the UN, which asserts that “genocide” is occurring there.
Political Tensions Escalate
This latest exchange of barbs between Feijóo and Sánchez occurred during the control session of the Full Congress amidst rising tensions with Israel. These tensions have escalated over the past week following the protests in La Vuelta against pro-Palestinian sentiments and RTVE’s decision to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates.
In fact, following RTVE’s choice, the PP leader questioned Sánchez on whether he would also “withdraw Spanish teams from the EuroLeague” or “pull the national team from the World Cup”.
Accusations of Corruption
Feijóo stated that the Prime Minister merely aims to “conceal his own scandals” in light of the corruption cases surrounding him. He highlighted that the Madrid High Court (TSJM) has given Sánchez “60 days” to investigate his conflict of interest regarding the bailout of Air Europa for “€475 million”, in which his wife had “financial interests”. “Do you already have a new smokescreen?” he challenged.
The PP leader asserted that “the massacre of civilians must stop in Gaza” and emphasised that “Palestinian civilians are not terrorists”. He pointed out, “It is the Israeli government that is bombarding Gaza, not the people of Israel, whom you have condemned.”
Humanitarian Issues and Political Strategy
Feijóo reiterated that Hamas is “a terrorist organisation that cannot be part of Palestine’s future” and expressed that he had “congratulated the Prime Minister twice”, a “shame” he believes “he will never be able to distance himself from”.
As a result, Feijóo called upon Sánchez to dispense with his “lessons on humanity”. “You also cared deeply about the Sahrawi people and changed your stance in an afternoon. We know you well enough. To stay in power, everyone knows you would negotiate even with Mr Netanyahu. Respect the law, respect the people, and I will not permit you to use the deaths in Gaza against Spaniards who do not vote for you,” he retorted.
Government’s Perspective
In response, the Prime Minister underscored to the Popular Group that “genocide” is indeed occurring in Gaza and advised the opposition to “listen to the UN’s working group” or to consider the Real Instituto del Cano’s survey, which indicates that “82% of Spaniards, including PP voters, believe that genocide is taking place.”
“Stop insulting, argue gentlemen, because neither insults resolve the waiting lists in public healthcare governed by your parties, nor do they address the housing issues faced by young people. You’ve chosen to insult instead of argue; that’s on you,” Sánchez warned the ‘popular’ members.
Achievements of the Current Government
Following this, the Prime Minister highlighted the growth of the Spanish economy and its stability, noting that he heads “the third-longest-serving government in the European Union” and that “stability is not guaranteed by an absolute majority”.
“Mr Rajoy had an absolute majority and enacted counter-reforms that went against the interests of the people, workers, and pensioners, for instance,” he asserted, also referencing the “territorial crisis that occurred in Catalonia” under the PP’s government.
Sánchez stated that his government “ensures stability” because it “governs for the majority”. He remarked, “The stability we care about is that of wages, workers, civil servants, and risk premiums. That’s what concerns us.”
Criticism of the Current Administration
Nonetheless, the leader of the Popular Party countered the Prime Minister’s arguments, claiming it is the “most unstable government that Spanish democracy has seen since 1978”. He insisted that Spaniards cannot endure “this populist instability”.
Feijóo mentioned that Sánchez “goes to the cinema when he is about to lose votes in Congress”, highlighting the incident from last Wednesday when he forewent voting on reduced working hours to attend the premiere of Alejandro Amenábar’s film about Cervantes with his wife.
“As you lack a majority, you deploy the army to conflict zones, and we only find out via a tweet. And since you have no budget, you incite barricades when 23 police officers are injured,” he remarked, adding that transport is also “not functioning” and referencing “the ongoing strike at Barajas” alongside unmet housing issues, as “even Sumar believes these are just smoke measures”.
According to Feijóo, for the Prime Minister, “everything is a sleight of hand”: “They charge your wife, Milei; they prosecute your brother, Trump; your number two remains in jail; Eurovision. You do not defend any noble cause; you just want to cover your own embarrassments,” he stated.
Sánchez Defends His Government
In his retort, Sánchez insisted they have chosen to “govern” and are doing so with “efficiency” and “stability”. As proof, he mentioned that during his seven years in Moncloa, “there have been seven prime ministers in France, six in Austria, and five in the United Kingdom”.
“When we talk about national politics, I am pleased to say that you are the third leader of the Popular Party. This is a government that governs with stability and efficiency,” Sánchez elaborated.
Indeed, he pointed out that they have passed “43 legislative initiatives during these two years of legislature,” a number which exceeds what has been achieved by parliaments with an absolute majority of the PP in Madrid, Castilla y León, and Galicia.
Sánchez also highlighted the economic situation, projecting a “2.7% economic growth this year, leading again among advanced economies in growth and job creation.” “And that is a national success, also of the Government of Spain, despite the popular bench,” he concluded.
Agencias EP
