The President of the Balearic Parliament, Gabriel Le Senne (Vox), is under investigation for a hate crime after tearing a photo of Republican women killed in 1937 that a Socialist lawmaker had placed on the Chamber’s table. He has told the judge that he accidentally tore the image and that he would have done the same if it had been a photo of dictator Francisco Franco, as his intention was to maintain the neutrality of the Chamber. Le Senne, supported by the top members of Vox in the Balearic Islands, stated after leaving court that he is glad to cooperate with justice and reiterated that he accidentally tore the photo of Aurora Picornell and the Pascual sisters, Republican activists executed by Falangists during the Civil War.
After nearly an hour of questioning, the President of the Balearic Parliament, who is a lawyer by profession, stated that the association that reported him, Memoria de Mallorca, has the right to bring his actions to the attention of the justice system, but he does not believe it will go far as it is a “political debate”. Asked if he will resign if ultimately tried and convicted for these actions, the Vox lawmaker merely indicated that it would be a “surprise” and that one must proceed “step by step”, respecting the procedures and investigative processes deemed appropriate by the judge. He apologized for the inappropriate tearing of the photo, but maintains that he was correct in enforcing the rules and that all lawmakers know deep down that those images displayed by the members of the Chamber should not have been there.
The incident took place on June 18 during a parliamentary debate on the repeal of the Balearic Democratic Memory Law. The second vice president of the Chamber, Mercedes Garrido (PSOE), had placed a photo of Republican victims in her seat, and Le Senne demanded that she remove it to ensure the “neutrality” of the Parliament. Garrido refused, and he ended up tearing the photo in one swift motion. Le Senne believes that he acted in accordance with the regulations and asserts that the images displayed by the members of the Chamber should not have been there, despite having publicly apologized for the physical act of tearing the image.
The President of the Balearic Parliament and Vox member has expressed satisfaction with being able to assist with the judicial process and faces the possibility of trial and conviction for a hate crime. He has not indicated any intention to resign if that were to occur, maintaining that he must respect the legal procedures and decisions made by the judge. The ripping of the photo, which featured victims of the Spanish Civil War, has sparked controversy and raised questions about political neutrality and respect for historical memory in the Balearic Islands. The incident has highlighted tensions within the chamber and the broader political landscape of Spain.
Le Senne’s defense of his actions as an effort to maintain the neutrality of the Chamber has been met with skepticism and criticism from opposition parties and organizations advocating for the preservation of historical memory. The incident has reignited debates on the handling of Spain’s past, particularly regarding the Civil War and the atrocities committed during that time. The decision of the judge in this case will be crucial in determining the outcome and potential consequences for Le Senne and for the broader political climate in the Balearic Islands and Spain as a whole. The incident has underscored the challenges of navigating historical memory, political partisanship, and debates over appropriate behavior within political institutions.
