The president of Vox, Santiago Abascal, has stated that he would not attend the state funeral for the Urda railway accident, which has left at least 69 fatalities, if one is called, and explained that, in his opinion, "the last thing" the families of the deceased want is "politicians around" and "people going to take a photo."
In an interview granted to El programa de AR, Abascal emphasized: "Sánchez convenes it. I try to put myself in the shoes of those families and, frankly, the last thing they want is to see politicians around. What they want is to be able to say goodbye to their relatives without spectacles and without people going to take a photo."
However, the leader of Vox hinted that institutional officials from his party could attend, understanding that, by holding that position, "they have to go to all kinds of public events that are convened." Even so, he insisted that families must be respected and "not used politically."
In this context, he described as an "insult" and "utilization" that the Government, which he considers responsible for the "crime" of Adamuz (Córdoba) and Urda, is the one organizing the funeral. In his opinion, although the farewell has a state character, it could be called a "government funeral."
"We are facing a political crime"
Abascal also maintained that the Atocha AVE operator who gave the order to continue the journey is "the one with the least responsibility," and pointed to a problem of "decisions of an ideological nature" that, in his opinion, will be clarified when "the judges determine exactly the truth and responsibilities."
Along these lines, he affirmed that one cannot speak of an accident "when young women have been placed" in ADIF or Renfe, in allusion to the hiring of Jésica Rodríguez, ex-partner of former minister José Luis Ábalos, or "when there have been kickbacks in the contracts that were supposed to fix the tracks."
Therefore, the president of Vox stressed that the collision between the two trains in Urda is not "an accident," nor was the derailment in Adamuz, but rather "a political crime" and a "negligence" with "responsible parties in the Government."
Criticism of UGT and CCOO for the general strike on November 11
In the same interview, Santiago Abascal considered that UGT and CCOO should cancel the general strike called for November 11 because, he said, "it makes no sense" and, "if they don't have the shame to do it," he warned that Vox "will take note" in case there is a "change of cycle" after the general elections on the 29th.
"They should suspend it because it makes no sense to hold a general strike against the opposition," said Abascal, who recalled the words of the former first vice president and former Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, when stating that the general strike for housing was called against the opposition.
The leader of Vox added that the convening unions should have "a minimum of shame" and warned that, if they do not, his party "will take note if there is a change of cycle in Spain" after the general elections.
Vox accuses unions of acting with ideological motivations
Abascal has lashed out at UGT and CCOO, whom he described as "ideological unions, of a Marxist and communist bent," and argued that they respond to political issues and not to the interests of workers. At the same time, he specified that they are not the only unions that exist in Spain, where, he said, there are many in different areas, including public service.
Along these lines, he hinted that both unions will increase "intimidation" and "pressure in the streets" if the right-wing bloc gains a majority after the November 29 elections. "I have no doubt that if Spaniards want a change, those who have been serving the Government with their silence will also serve it with intimidation and pressure in the streets," he assured.
The Vox leader linked these words to the protests that have resulted in disturbances, arrests, and injuries in some of their pre-campaign events, whose organization he attributes to the Executive, and presented them as "an anticipation."
Audits and account reviews if Vox reaches La Moncloa
On the other hand, Abascal stressed that, if Vox reaches La Moncloa, it will promote "audits and complete reviews" to check the true state of accounts or real data on issues such as immigration. "We will end up finding out everything, I have no doubt," he indicated.
The president of Vox urged the Popular Party "not to look the other way" and "not to say 'let bygones be bygones'" just because of the change of government. In his opinion, the Government of Pedro Sánchez must assume "all political and criminal responsibilities" and "there cannot be a government that, for political peace or peace between parties, looks the other way."
Regarding the strength they will exert if they access the Executive, Abascal explained that it will depend on the votes they obtain, although he warned that PP and Vox must first add up, something that, he said, he does not take for granted despite the forecasts of the polls.