The spokesperson for the PSOE in the Congress of Deputies, Patxi López, has assured that his party does not contemplate the resignation of the Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, a request that Sumar, Podemos and other left-wing formations have promoted after the police charges recorded during the general strike.
In statements made in the Lower House, where he attended the meeting of the Permanent Deputation, López defended that, for the moment, the Executive must await the result of the investigation ordered by the head of Interior before making decisions. The socialist leader also stressed that Grande-Marlaska has prohibited the use of tear gas and, in this type of demonstrations, also the use of pepper spray.
“The minister has demanded this investigation, and as a result of that investigation, the necessary decisions will be made. But of course, we do not contemplate the minister's resignation,” summarized the socialist spokesperson.
Differences between the charges in Madrid and Barcelona
Patxi López has highlighted differences between what happened in Madrid and what happened in Barcelona, and has considered that the episodes recorded in the Catalan capital were justified by the appearance of violent groups after a “peaceful demonstration” for housing.
As he explained, in Barcelona “some hooded individuals tried to exercise and did exercise violence,” a situation that, in his opinion, must be pursued “with all consequences, including criminal ones.” In contrast, regarding the events in Madrid, where members of informative pickets denounced the use of pepper spray during their morning actions, the socialist spokesperson admitted that there were police episodes that the PSOE does not like.
The leader insisted that the Government awaits the result of the investigation opened by the Ministry of Interior, and avoided advancing any definitive assessment of the police action until the conclusions are known.
Criticism of the PP and Vox for their position on the strike
During his appearance, Patxi López also attacked PP and Vox, reproaching them for their rejection of the general strike and their stance on the role of trade unions. The socialist spokesperson stated that both formations demonstrated during the day that they do not defend the Constitution.
“No matter how much they say it every day, they are not constitutionalists,” he said, recalling that the Magna Carta “enshrines the role of trade unions as defenders of workers' rights.”
López described citizen participation as “positive” and maintained that “the success of the strike is evident and was seen.” Asked about the participation data handled by the employers' association, he replied: “Did anyone expect a different reaction from the employers and the right in this country?”
Furthermore, he pointed out that if PP and Vox interpret that the strike was against the opposition, “it means that they are not going to defend access to decent housing,” and added that the parties led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Santiago Abascal “are nervous” ahead of the elections on November 29.
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