“This is neither left nor right.” Danger. Danger. When you hear this phrase, it is usually because it is either left or right.
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“No political gain or electoral calculations should be made from this conflict.” Watch out. When you hear this phrase, the person saying it is usually making political gain or doing electoral calculations.
Both were said by the most beloved politician in Spain today, Juan Jesús Vivas, president of Ceuta. I hope there is someone in the PP, where it seems they are still not sure about victory in the upcoming general elections, who thinks of him as a candidate for the presidency of the Spanish government. If the elections were tomorrow, this man would win an absolute majority. He wouldn’t even have to make a pact with Vox. Vivas appeared this week on two of the most watched programs in the prime time of Spanish television: El hormiguero, by Pablo Motos, and Horizonte, by Iker Jiménez. Since they have been on the schedule, I think this is the first time that both programs share a guest in the same week, with very good audience results, by the way. It also happens that the editorial line of both is characterized by not having much sympathy for Pedro Sánchez. I couldn’t be sure because I don’t watch them every day, but I would say that is the case.
It is true that on other channels there are programs, let’s say more pro-Sánchez, which happen to be the ones the Prime Minister chooses for his interviews. This week he appeared on El intermedio on La Sexta, also with very good audience results. I think politicians shine more when they play on the opposing field, something increasingly rare. I hope that as the elections approach there will be a change in trend. It will be more fun.
The more you shout “Ceuta is not for sale…” or insult Mbappé, the more Spanish you are
Watch out for this other statement: politics and sports should not be mixed. It is likely that whoever says this is about to mix them. The Valencian Business Association has invited different teams to wear a shirt supporting Ceuta, without any intention of politicizing anything, of course. Coincidentally, its president, Vicente Boluda, former Real Madrid executive, has economic interests in the port of Ceuta. So far Levante, Villarreal, Elche, Betis, and Real Madrid have worn it. Barça did not. Abde, a Betis forward, was insulted on social media by his Moroccan compatriots. Mbappé, Vinícius, and Konaté rolled up their sleeves for the shirt and have received insults in the vast majority of Spanish media. Mbappé declared: “I have all the solidarity with Ceuta, but I did not want to prioritize suffering.” A phrase that, to me, who also have my bias, seems brilliant.
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Yesterday Florentino Pérez visited Ceuta, where he was received by Vivas. The newspaper Marca broadcast it live. The president of Madrid clarified that the visit was not due to recent news, but had been in the works for weeks. For it to have been prepared for some time, I was surprised that his speech lasted one minute and ten seconds. I think His Majesty the King no longer needs to visit Ceuta. His Florentine-ness is enough.
Ceuta is already the new weapon thrown between left and right. Ceuta is an opportunity to show your patriotism. The more you shout “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta is defended” or the more you insult Mbappé, the more Spanish you are.
Interestingly, many of those who insulted Mbappé wanted the Frenchman to be the Ballon d’Or winner, above the Spaniard Lamine Yamal. Two years ago they also preferred the Brazilian Vinícius to win over the Spaniard Rodri. These are the peculiarities of a country increasingly incomprehensible and where it seems they want to take us for fools.
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