The Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, has lashed out this Thursday against the "position of institutional vandalism" that, he has stated, the PP currently maintains regarding the autonomous city of Ceuta and its situation after the massive influx of immigrants at the end of July. At the same time, he has demanded that this party "not let itself be infected by Vox."
España has emphasized that it is time to "lower the noise around this" and has asked that "no one seek votes," insisting on the need to focus on "solutions" and "not disturb" if there are no proposals, in addition to avoiding "typical behaviors of the European far-right."
The head of Finance made these statements at a meeting with journalists in Mislata (Valencia), during the presentation of the EDIL DANA programs to compensate for the damages caused by the floods triggered by the dana of October 2024 and to strengthen prevention against future episodes, when asked about the situation in Ceuta.
Regarding the absences of Vox representatives in the governments of Aragón, Extremadura, and Castilla y León at the Sectorial Conference on Childhood and Adolescence convened this Thursday to address the extraordinary aid of 25 million euros aimed at the care of migrant children in Ceuta, the minister has pointed out that he finds it "bad."
Arcadi España has added that "the PP is in a drift of institutional vandalism" and has indicated that "it does not seem normal" that regional officials "do not sit at a table to negotiate." He has demanded that "they sit down to negotiate" and "express if they disagree, which is legitimate," but has warned that he does not see "reasonable" "that they do not sit down to talk, especially on such a sensitive issue as this" that involves "children who come without their parents and have a special protection regime."
The minister has defended that "any person in a solidary, humanitarian country with an ethical level like that of most of the European Union must be aware that the best interest of the child is there."
After that, Spain has demanded from the Popular Party "not to let themselves be infected by Vox." "The PP is infected by Vox, by radicalism," he stated, expressing his desire for the Popular Party to "return to what it was during the Transition." In his opinion, "Spanish democracy needs a responsible right-wing opposition party," that "does not set fire to the places it goes with statements" and that "acts with a sense of State on sensitive issues."
"It is a danger to dehumanize"
In this line, he emphasized that "the issue of children arriving in this country without their parents is a matter of State." Asked about the words of the president of Castilla-La Mancha, the socialist Emiliano García-Page, regarding the return of migrant minors to their country of origin, the Minister of Finance warned that "it is a danger to dehumanize."
He also raised "if anyone would want" a minor who arrives "unprotected" not to be attended to and responded that "it would not be Spain, it would not be this country." He recalled that in recent days there have been "many statements" and mentioned those of the president of the Valencian Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, "saying that he did not have the capacity" to accommodate minors from Ceuta.
Arcadi España emphasized that the autonomous city is hosting "hundreds of minors" in "a very small territory, of 19 square kilometers and 85,000 inhabitants," compared to the Comunitat Valenciana, which "has a much larger size and five million inhabitants." In this context, he questioned that "if they say they do not have capacity in the Valencian Generalitat or in other communities with a larger population, a budget, and a much larger territory, what is happening to Ceuta."
Likewise, he maintained that "to believe oneself a country" and "to be a true patriot" in Spain "is to be supportive," and emphasized that "when a territory of your country has a problem, a difficulty, the set of autonomous communities must be supportive." He added that "I see many expressions of solidarity towards Ceuta, but few concrete things from certain leaders of the PP."
The minister has recalled that "the competencies of minors are the responsibility of the autonomous communities" and has called for "an effort." He pointed out that some autonomous communities have claimed a lack of resources, but he reminded them that "they have a funding model on the table" and specified that, in the case of the Comunitat Valenciana, "it is 3.669 billion euros additional."
Economic measures for Ceuta
On the other hand, when asked if the Ministry of Finance plans to implement economic or tax aid for Ceuta and its population in light of the current situation, Spain recalled the visit of the Vice President and Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, and his meetings with political and business leaders of the autonomous city. He highlighted that they are "working on different measures" that will be "additional" and will be specified "in the coming days in constant and permanent dialogue" with those sectors.
The minister has emphasized the "contact" and "permanent dialogue" that the Government maintains "not just now, but for some time" with the Ceuta Executive, as well as "the joint work between administrations." "The Government has been acting from day one," he assured.
In relation to the "exasperation" of the people of Ceuta, Spain has said he understands "the anguish" and "the difficult moment they are experiencing" and has stressed that they must perceive "also the support of the Government and the entire citizenry of the country." He has also sent "a message of calm" and pointed out that "any discontent can be expressed, always without violence, calmly and understanding the situation" which "is complex."
Single command and institutional coordination
When questioned about whether the Government delayed in activating the single command, the Minister of Finance reiterated that the Executive "acted from day one" in Ceuta. He added that, with the single command already in place, they have entered "a different phase" in which the focus must be "on the present and the future" and in "permanent dialogue." In his opinion, "it is time for others to lower the noise around this, for no one to seek votes" and instead "solutions."
When asked whether the CNI warned of the massive arrival of immigrants to Ceuta, Arcadi España indicated that he understands the "debate" that has been generated "in the media," although he specified that it "contributes very little."
He emphasized that "the ministers --corresponding-- have already responded on several occasions" and concluded that "what is now of interest to the entire country and, especially to the neighbors of Ceuta, is that the administrations collaborate to ensure security, a recovery, and that it is possible to return to normality while always complying with the legal framework."