The newly elected secretary general of Socialist Youth of Spain, Aránzazu Figueroa, accused the right this Sunday of being "heirs of Francoism" and described them as "posh salon dwellers" during the closing speech of the congress in which she was chosen as the highest responsible for the youth organization of the PSOE, becoming the first woman to lead it after replacing the Valencian Víctor Camino.
"We are the legacy of the Spain that rose up against oppressive fascism, that risked and lost its life to give us back equality and freedom, and that today does not surrender to the political, economic, financial, and media powers that want to return us to a black and white Spain. We are the left, we are more, and we are better because they are nothing more and nothing less than the heirs of Francoism," she stated during her speech.
In her address, Figueroa also lashed out against what she called "posh salon dwellers" and "daddy's boys," whom she reproached for their contempt towards citizens and their intention to promote a youth that is "resigned, quiet, and obedient." At the same time, she pointed to those who "speculate with housing" and "play with the dreams" of new generations, in contrast to those who, she said, defend rights and public services.
"They are the ones who exploit immigrants in the fields, but then point them out on television. They are the ones who speculate with our future by denying us access to decent housing. They are the 'every man for himself' type. Those who abandoned the elderly in nursing homes to their fate. They are the fake patriots who sell their flag to defend genocidal individuals like Netanyahu and justify Trump's illegal wars. And yes, they are bad people. And we are tremendously proud not to have anything similar to them. We are not like them. We never have been. We never will be," she concluded.
The 27th Federal Congress of Socialist Youth of Spain (JSE) concluded with the approval of a package of resolutions focused on housing, taxation, social media, and the prohibition of pornography, with the aim of responding to the main concerns of young people.
Measures on housing and taxation
In the housing sector, the conclave has backed a proposal to curb speculation in residential rentals. The text proposes setting caps based on the usable area of the properties, regulating the maximum number of people who can inhabit them, and preventing room rentals from generating income higher than what would correspond to the full rental of a dwelling with similar characteristics.
In fiscal matters, delegates have given their approval to an income tax reform that increases progressivity in the higher income brackets, along with a tightening of the taxation on large fortunes.
Voting from the age of 16 and digital protection
In the democratic arena, Socialist Youth has reiterated its defense of lowering the voting age to 16, understanding that thousands of young people already assume sufficient academic, labor, fiscal, and social obligations today to fully participate in collective decisions.
The Congress has also approved an initiative to strengthen the protection of minors and adolescents against the risks of certain digital content. The proposal addresses gender-based violence in the online environment, eating disorders, and the effects of social networks on the mental health of youth.
Prohibition of pornography as an industry
Finally, delegates have given the green light to the prohibition of pornography as an industry, considering it based on exploitation, the commodification of women's bodies, and the perpetuation of unequal and violent relationships.