The Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, has claimed this Thursday "empathy" after the death of Maricarmen, the elderly woman evicted two weeks ago, and has emphasized that the political response must focus on ensuring that "something like this never happens again," a goal that, as he has pointed out, is pursued with the two royal decree-laws approved by the Government.
"Maricarmen has passed away. I believe we all feel the pain of her death," López has stated to the media during the celebration of the IV International Advisory Council of AI, highlighting that it is "a day to convey condolences and to remember her."
At the same time, he has referred to certain "messages of hate" that have arisen around this case that truly "concern him and do not represent this country," and has added that, from a political perspective, the priority must be "to ensure that something like this never happens again."
In this line, he has supported the actions of the Executive and has assured that "that is what the decrees of the Government of Spain are going to do."
Questioned about the criticisms from the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, regarding an alleged "emotional manipulation," López has emphasized that this Thursday is "a day for empathy" and to "take charge of all that pain that exists."
Maricarmen passed away on the afternoon of this Wednesday, at the age of 87, after having become a symbol of the fight for dignified housing following her eviction in Madrid, two weeks earlier, from the rental apartment where she had lived for 71 years.
This episode led the Government to push forward two housing decrees and to submit them to the Plenary of Congress just three days later, last Friday, where they were rejected. That parliamentary defeat led the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to announce the call for early general elections for November 29.
Subsequently, the two decrees were approved again this Tuesday in the Council of Ministers and the first of them, which includes measures against evictions, has come into effect this Thursday. From now on, both texts must be validated or repealed by the Permanent Deputation, the body that assumes legislative functions after the dissolution of the General Courts.
The eviction of Maricarmen also triggered a wide social mobilization, with protests and camps in different cities of the country, which have led to the call for a general strike on November 11, driven by the Tenants' Union along with other organizations such as UGT and CCOO.
Respect for the general strike and the Government's agenda
In relation to this general strike and the decision of CSIF not to join, the minister has been asked about his position. López has expressed an "absolute respect" both for the position of the union and for "also for the call for a general strike."
"I, of course, believe that the conveners are demanding a better world," he pointed out, reiterating his respect for the autonomy of each union organization.
In addition, López has defended that the Government will continue to promote measures "until the last day" despite the electoral call, and has reminded that, when parliamentary validation is necessary, the Permanent Deputation can be resorted to, as happens with the two housing decrees.