Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Spanish People’s Party (PP), has stated that his party’s regional presidents should not negotiate with the central government for their own financing systems. This comes after the first deputy prime minister of finance, María Jesús Montero, suggested that special financing promised to Catalonia could be extended to other autonomous communities. Feijóo believes that this would lead to Catalunya being financed by the rest of Spain, and sees it as a challenge to the fiscal unity of the country. He also views the idea of separate financing systems as a form of separatism that aligns with the independence movement in Catalonia.
Feijóo is less definitive on the topic of whether his regional presidents could negotiate with the central government on the forgiveness of debt. He acknowledges that they may engage in discussions if called upon, and will be addressing the issue at a meeting with all regional presidents in Madrid. Feijóo aims to propose a new financing model that excludes the concept of a separate financing agreement with individual regions. The current system, established in 2014, is considered outdated and in need of reform. Feijóo faces the challenge of uniting the demands of the 11 regional presidents who remain steadfast in their requests, without imposing his own will as a “caudillo” leader.
In the realm of immigration, Feijóo and the PP have prepared an amendment to address issues with the Popular Initiative approved in April to regularize thousands of undocumented immigrants in Spain. Feijóo criticizes Prime Minister Sánchez for inconsistency in immigration policies and emphasizes the need to define clear criteria for returning irregular migrants to their home countries within the European Migration Pact. He clarifies that mass deportations, as advocated by party spokesperson Miguel Tellado, are actually a series of individual cases of migrant returns.
Feijóo emphasizes the need for a comprehensive European approach to the migration crisis, rather than individual countries acting unilaterally. He calls for a coordinated effort to address the root causes of irregular migration and ensure a fair and efficient process for returning migrants to their home countries. Additionally, Feijóo emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting human rights in all aspects of immigration policy. The PP’s stance on immigration reflects a commitment to effective border control, respect for sovereignty, and a pragmatic approach to managing migration flows.
In conclusion, Feijóo’s statements highlight the PP’s position on key issues including regional financing, debt forgiveness, and immigration policy. He rejects the idea of separate financing agreements for autonomous communities and stresses the importance of fiscal unity within Spain. Feijóo acknowledges the need for reform in the current financing system and is working towards proposing a new model that meets the demands of regional leaders. On immigration, Feijóo criticizes Sánchez’s policies and calls for a coordinated European approach to address the root causes of irregular migration. The PP’s stance reflects a commitment to border control, respect for sovereignty, and upholding the rule of law in immigration matters.
