In the administrative elections on May 28, he ruined the bank. Isabel Natividad Díaz Ayuso, 44, re-elected governor of the Autonomous Community of Madrid for the third time and by an absolute majority, is “the phenomenon” of Spanish politics. It is no coincidence that the leader of the People’s Party, Alberto Nuñez Feijóo – much calmer and more moderate than them – wanted to have the volcanic and very unbridled “president” at his side to launch the PP campaign in view of the general elections on the 23rd July.
Feijóo speaks of a “Madrid model” that should be imitated at national level. A monochromatic government with no pacts with Vox. How did she do that?
“Success comes from good administration of public services and also from defending certain values, but profoundly, not in a simple or crude way and always with a liberal, open and generous vision of life.” Thus, beyond ideologies, voters can be convinced who want respect, property security, freedom to work and the family they prefer. With great humility and great commitment, we have shown that the PP project is the best.”
However, the “Madrid model” seems unattainable at the national level and in many regions where the PP has had to contend with the right. She broke the alliance with Vox in Madrid, saying: “It’s almost impossible to get along with you.” Won’t it be difficult to rule Spain with them?
«In the current scenario, we need to gather a large majority and have a single project around the People’s Party. Just like I’ve been doing for the past few months. If there are no numbers at the end, then of course we have to find an agreement. In any case, it will be a balance of different forces. The situation in Spain is not what the Prime Minister is propagating, inside and outside our borders, that only he can make alliances with everyone and not with the others. We must not forget that Pedro Sánchez governs with those who committed serious crimes against the territorial integrity of Spain, pardoned convicts, changed the penal code in favor of his friends, governs with the communists of Podemos and with the outside world supporting Eh Bildu ( the Basque nationalists, editor’s note), the heirs to the Eta terrorist gang, and those who openly want to destroy Spain. “This is the pact that governs Spain today.”
Isn’t the alliance with Eh Bildu comparable to the alliance with Vox, which denies the existence of gender-based violence or climate change?
“Vox has no blood crime convicts on its electoral roll. Another thing is what I think about the violence that women suffer and that needs to be eliminated. When government is in the hands of the People’s Party, the work that has been done to stop violence against women will not be lost. It is everyone’s struggle that cannot be questioned. If Vox decides to discredit the female victims of this violence and closes down on this stance, that will be their problem, not the vast majority of Spanish society. On the other hand, no laws can be introduced, as is the case in many European countries, according to which the presumption of innocence of a man differs from that of a woman. We must be equal before opportunity, but also before the law, a man’s version and a woman’s version must be equal. However, we must continue to work to ensure that no one abuses a woman and her children. It’s an undeniable fight. Yes, Vox has a problem with that, but the PP doesn’t share it.”
How might Spain’s role in Europe change with a PP-Vox government?
“The PP has always been a strong advocate of the European institutions and the value of this common alliance. At European level, everyone has their own political project, we will not change our essence.”
Do you reject the hypothesis of an alliance between the European People’s Party and the conservative group led by Giorgia Meloni, which also includes Vox?
‘The PP already has its alliances, its family in Europe. Another thing is that one political branch and another seek rapprochement on some issues. Why not?’
Sánchez claims that the Spanish economy under his government is the fastest growing in Europe…
“Sánchez is campaigning with a demonstrative use of power, public institutions and economic data.” We were the country that suffered the most from the pandemic and that recovered the worst. They form the numbers of the unemployed, which are now referred to as “fixed discontinuous”. We are growing in percentage but not enough compared to what we have lost. And because of inflation and the absolute rigidity of the market, the middle and vulnerable classes have lost a lot of purchasing power. Every day the number of families at risk of poverty in Spain is increasing.”
Feeling like the middle class defenders?
“The middle class is a huge treasure in Spain, it unites a country like ours, allowing people of all classes to meet at the tables in an outdoor bar or in the cinema.” We do not want class conflict, but one government for all. especially for the vulnerable who need extra help from the administration.”
Could Monday’s televised debate have caused votes to shift?
Anus. Political change in Spain is inevitable. The government is deluding itself, but cannot change reality. Sanchez is not loved in Spain, while opposition leader Feijoo is welcome in any community and has no reason to lie or appear different from him. He is a humble, quiet man who wants to unite, cut taxes, help families in need and who speaks to royal Spain.”
If the PP eventually has to band together, will Spain like Vox boss Santiago Abascal as deputy prime minister?
“I would like, as Fejião also said, to have a woman as vice president, from the People’s Party.”
‘No’… she laughs… ‘I was recently re-elected in Madrid, I’ve gotten involved politically, I have a new project, we still have a lot to do in this region which is on the brink of crisis service of Spain. I know where I belong, it’s here. In addition, Feijó is a man of stability and does not cause institutional crises. And my appointment would trigger an institutional crisis.”
But Vox will claim the vice presidency…
‘It will also depend on the number of MPs he gets. If this is very low, they will not be able to boycott a government and demand political change to claim seats. I hope that doesn’t happen, but the Spaniards will decide in the polls and we have to respect their choice.”