Several prominent figures from the Popular Party (PP) gathered on Tuesday to express their belief that the government led by Pedro Sánchez must act and provide funding to the autonomous communities if it wishes to gain the support of the PP in reforming the Immigration Law. They feel that the government is unwilling to negotiate with the main opposition party, as it has dismissed all of the PP’s demands.
On July 23, the Spanish Congress will hold a full session to discuss the proposal to reform the Immigration Law. This initiative has been put forth by the PSOE, Sumar, and Coalición Canaria to mandate the redistribution of minors in situations of crisis, a need they argue is particularly pressing in the Canary Islands at this moment.
Following a conversation over the weekend between Minister Ángel Víctor Torres and Miguel Tellado, the spokesperson for the PP, the party publicly stated that it would not facilitate the progression of a law they believe is based on “imposition and not dialogue,” according to their sources.
Feijóo, the leader of the PP, stated that Sánchez should be prepared to make concessions, similar to what he does with his parliamentary partners, if he hopes to secure the PP’s backing for the Immigration Law reform. He accused the government of ignoring the ongoing immigration crisis, despite warnings from autonomous communities about the impending “collapse.”
During a subsequent meeting with territorial heads of the PP in a Madrid restaurant, they discussed the issue of irregular immigration. Sources from the party indicated that they believe Sánchez’s government is not genuinely interested in reaching an agreement with the PP.
One regional president summed up the situation by stating, “The government needs to take action. Are they doing that? They are not.” This leader believes the government is engaged in a strategy rather than treating this as a national issue that requires careful planning.
While some PP leaders still see a chance for the government to make an overture before the vote, key concerns revolve around funding. One president noted that the current financial support was merely 145 euros per child over a year, a figure which had doubled the previous year.
In his remarks to the National Executive Board of the PP and later during lunch, Manuel Domínguez, the Vice President and Minister of Economy of the Canary Islands, expressed gratitude to the PP’s autonomous community leaders for their “solidarity” in agreeing to the distribution of 347 minors at a recent sector conference. He highlighted the aggravating conditions in the islands, sharing a distressing example of two orphaned twins who require governmental guardianship in an overwhelmed system.
Domínguez acknowledged that there remains an opportunity for the PP and PSOE to reach an agreement on the Immigration Law reform, asserting optimism for an accord before the upcoming plenary session.
Conversely, Jorge Azcón, the president of Aragón, expressed his skepticism. He stressed that the government must change its stance, noting that if there were a true willingness to negotiate a matter as significant as Immigration Law, there wouldn’t only be a WhatsApp message exchanged just hours before the vote.
Fernando López-Miras, the president of Murcia, emphasized the impossibility of supporting a law that significantly involves the autonomous communities without their proper consultation. He criticized the Sánchez administration for its lack of management capabilities over the past two years, despite repeated warnings from their regional governments.
Galicia’s president, Alfonso Rueda, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the Immigration Law should not be a means for the government to relieve itself of responsibility by delegating issues to the autonomous communities. He underscored the urgent need for proper planning when it comes to accommodating unaccompanied minors.
Marga Prohens, the president of the Balearic Islands, affirmed her commitment to responsibly receiving unaccompanied foreign minors, provided no stringent impositions are placed upon them, especially given the unprecedented influx of irregular immigration they are currently experiencing.
Rueda further called for the government to recognize the “exceptionality of the Balearic Islands” in addressing the Immigration Law reform, highlighting the rising pressures on reception services not only in the Canary Islands but also in Ceuta and Melilla, where irregular immigration has surged by 50% year-over-year.
Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, the president of Castilla y León, declared that Spain is facing a migration crisis, criticizing the government’s inaction over the past year. He urged for serious attention to the situation, suggesting a conference of regional presidents to facilitate discussion. While expressing their willingness to welcome minors, he insisted on the urgent need for substantial financial support from the government, which remains inadequate.
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