The president of the PP and candidate for the Presidency of the Government, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has started the campaign in Catalonia, asserting his record of management and committing to pushing for an "audit of the plunder" by the Executive of Pedro Sánchez to clarify "where each euro went and who took it."
"I come to offer something as basic as a Government that does not steal," Feijóo has proclaimed at a rally held at the Polideportivo Municipal de Llefià, in Badalona, backed by the mayor and head of the list to the Congress for Barcelona, Xavier García Albiol, and the president of the PPC, Alejandro Fernández. According to data from the party, about 3,500 people attended the event.
The popular candidate—interrupted on several occasions by slogans such as "oa, oa, Feijóo to the Moncloa" or "president, president"—has denounced that Spain is today facing greater tax pressure, a record volume of public debt, and more European funds than ever, while citizens perceive less return.
"Where is the money of the Spanish people?"
Feijóo has emphasized that there are "worse services" and "in addition, corruption." "Where is the money of the Spanish people?" he has asked, before reiterating that, if he reaches La Moncloa, it will be known "where each euro has gone" from taxpayers.
"We will carry out an audit of the plunder to find out where each euro went and who took it. We will carry out an audit of decency to find out why trains do not work, why the works have not been carried out, why housing has not been built, and why the Spanish people pay more and receive less," he has insisted, to an audience that was fully engaged.
Along these lines, he has stressed that "everything works worse" in the country, citing as examples trains, dual carriageways, repeated recidivism, squatting, or "uncontrolled immigration." In his view, the most serious thing is that "it seems like no one cares," but he has emphasized that he does. "I do want to solve the problems of our country," he said.
Reclaiming "management" over "decline," Feijóo has promised that, if he wins at the ballot box and governs, he will be "the president of everyone, without exception, without walls." "I only want to serve my country. Everyone. Whether they vote for us or not, whether they have gone on strike or not. We must all serve it," he has stressed.
Catalonia, a "decisive" piece for the change in Spain
The leader of the PP has explained that he wanted to open the campaign in Catalonia because he believes this community must be “decisive” in the political change in Spain. “I don’t want a Catalonia that watches from the sidelines or is outside the change. I want a Catalonia that takes center stage in the rebuilding of Spain,” he said.
He has assured that all Spaniards appreciate this community and want a Catalonia that is “open, prosperous and strong,” recalling that in the past it “drew on Spain for decades” and was “the main engine” of the country. “And I ask that Catalonia again be the main engine of the Spanish nation,” he said.
According to Feijóo, Catalonia “needs” this because “it has been waiting for too long” for the infrastructure that corresponds to it, housing and safety in the streets. He regretted that for years the “single issue” has been the ‘procés’.
Albiol, an example of “management” and the Anti-squatter law
Feijóo has lavished praise on García Albiol, whom he highlighted by saying that “he didn’t have to run,” but accepted doing so because “he is the best.” He has stressed that he is a mayor who “doesn’t hide,” that “steps up” and that “manages.”
“And that’s why I want Xavi in the Congress of Deputies,” he emphasized, reiterating that he intends for him to be the presenter of the future Anti-squatter Law, “so that what works in Badalona can work throughout all of Spain.”
The popular leader has stressed that the PP will continue to defend in Catalonia the Constitution, freedom, effort, and the family, because they are part of its political platform. “I am Galician, you are Catalans, and all of us are Spanish. Without contradiction, without asking permission, and without asking for forgiveness,” he concluded.
Some elections to “put Spain to work”
Feijóo has insisted that these elections “are about much more” and are not reduced “to just one party or another.” “They’re not going to be more left or more right. They’re not going to feel more or less Spanish,” he pointed out, to emphasize that what is at stake is whether “this country has a future or less.”
“These elections are about putting Spain to work. And I want to put to work this country that is ours,” he stressed, warning Pedro Sánchez, a day after the general strike, that on 29 November citizens will not strike, but will go to the polls.
In his judgment, in these elections a choice is made between lies or truth; privilege or equality; incompetence or management; more of the same or change. "And I ask Spain that on November 29 it says change," he has demanded. He has argued that it is about opening "a new stage of cordiality, understanding, work and collaboration."
Message against violence and support for the Security Forces
The PP leader has referred to the disturbances recorded during the day of a general strike in different cities, including Barcelona, and has warned that they will not back down. He has said that "the failure of the electoral strike has shown its helplessness," but he has cautioned that one must not "dismiss the danger that this entails" because "the helplessness of the left and of the radicals often turns into violence."
"Some want to impose a normality of violence and extortion like the one we have seen in other places in Europe. I say one thing, and I say it before voting. We are not going to allow it," he has assured, conveying his support for the two young people affiliated with the PP who were assaulted on Wednesday in Barakaldo.
This Thursday afternoon, Feijóo has also held a meeting in Girona with unions and associations of the Forces and Security Corps, to whom he has promised that, if he reaches the Palacio de la Moncloa, Policía and Guardia Civil will be recognized as a profession of risk and penalties against violent people will be toughened.