María Guardiola was sworn in this Wednesday as president of the Junta de Extremadura after the agreement with Vox with 61 measures. In total, Guardiola has obtained the support of 40 of the 65 deputies of the Extremadura Assembly: that is, the votes of the PP (29) and Vox (11).
During the investiture debate, immigration has been a key issue as Vox leader Óscar Fernández wanted to speak out on the principle of “national priority” that permeates some of the measures, such as access to public aid or housing. In contrast, Guardiola herself avoided mentioning that concept, except to defend herself from attacks by Unidas por Extremadura for talking about “Nazi-onal priority” despite the fact that the purple party has “agreed with coup plotters and with ETA heirs”.
The “national priority” is a concept that for Vox means “Spaniards first” in access to social benefits, while the PP explains that it refers to the “roots” of citizens in the territory as a criterion for receiving aid. In any case, both parties defend legality against government threats to appeal it in court.
Fernández has said that “national priority” is “legal”: “We have to choose and we are clear about it. Spaniards first, of course.” The leader of Vox in Extremadura has explained that with the “effort of all Extremadurans and Spaniards, it is not enough” for “everyone to eat and have healthcare,” so criteria must be set for access to aid.
“Enough of the perversion of the concept of solidarity from which many hangers-on live,” said Fernández, who added that Extremadura and Spain need “four times” Vox and that “will come.” In any case, he expressed great gratitude to the PP of Extremadura and to Guardiola for their “willingness” to reach an agreement and stated that a government is being formed “with loyalty, firmness, and commitment.”
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Guardiola, in her turn to reply, once again asserted, “I will not apologize for respecting the will of my people, for respecting the will of the people of Extremadura, and for fulfilling my duty.” In fact, the new president of Extremadura regretted the PSOE’s criticisms because they also do not propose any alternative.
“What alternative do they propose? That we govern in a minority without budgets to keep Extremadura blocked like Pedro Sánchez does? Well, fortunately, we are not the same. Or perhaps what the gentlemen of the Socialist Party intend is for us to hold elections every six months until the result that suits them comes out? That is not democracy,” she said, addressing the PSOE, which voted against the investiture.
The agreement between PP and Vox includes 61 measures divided into eleven sections. In the immigration section, there are twelve, and they have generated quite a stir due to government criticism, although Guardiola wanted to avoid making too much reference to this issue. Among the measures are the rejection of unaccompanied minors; the adaptation of the new European Return Regulation; the reduction of spending on the reception of illegal immigrants; the suppression of subsidies to NGOs that promote illegal immigration; or, the prohibition of the use of the burka and niqab in public spaces.
The agreement also has significant weight in economic matters, with measures to lower taxes (IRPF, inheritance, or ITP), a plan to modernize and attract investment, the defense of the Almaraz nuclear power plant and the promotion of renewable energy, and strong support for the primary sector, with rejection of the obstacles of the Green Pact and Mercosur.
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