The president of the PP and candidate for the Presidency of the Government, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has started the campaign in Catalonia, claiming his management record and announcing an "audit of the plunder" by the Executive of Pedro Sánchez to clarify "where every euro went and who took it."
"I come to offer something as elemental as a Government that does not steal," Feijóo proclaimed at a rally held at the Municipal Sports Pavilion of Llefià, in Badalona, supported by the mayor and candidate for Congress for Barcelona, Xavier García Albiol, and the president of the PPC, Alejandro Fernández. According to party data, about 3,500 people attended the event.
The 'popular' challenger—interrupted at different moments by chants such as "oa, oa, Feijóo to La Moncloa" or "president, president"—has emphasized that Spain collects more taxes, accumulates more public debt, and has received more European funding than ever, while citizens perceive less.
"WHERE IS THE MONEY OF THE SPANIARDS?"
At the same time, he has denounced that there are "worse services" and "and on top of that, corruption." "Where is the money of the Spaniards?" he has questioned, advancing that, if he reaches La Moncloa, it will be known "where every 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 the trains don't work, why the works have not been carried out, why housing has not been built, and why Spaniards pay more and receive less," he stressed before an attentive audience.
In this vein, he has insisted that "everything works worse" in Spain, citing as examples the trains, the dual carriageways, multi-reoffending, squatting, or "uncontrolled immigration." In his view, the most serious thing is that "it seems like no one cares," but he has underscored that he does. "I do want to solve the problems of our country," he said.
Feijóo, who has contrasted management with "decadence," has assured that, if he wins and forms a Government, 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 said.
Catalonia, a "decisive" piece in political change
The leader of the PP has explained that he wanted to open the campaign in Catalonia because he believes that this community must be "decisive" in the political change in Spain. "I don't want a Catalonia that watches from the sidelines or is unrelated to the change. I want a Catalonia that takes center stage in the rebuilding of Spain," he emphasized.
He has defended that the whole of the Spanish people values Catalonia and wants a community "open, prosperous and strong," noting that in the past it "pulled Spain along for decades" and was "the country's main engine." "And I ask that Catalonia be the main engine again of the Spanish nation," he added.
Feijóo has argued that Catalonia "needs it" because it has "been waiting for too long" for the infrastructure that corresponds to it, for housing, or for greater security in the streets. He has lamented that for years the "single issue" has been the 'procés'.
Albiol, an example of management and the Anti-squatting law
The 'popular' leader has lavished praise on García Albiol, whom he has said "didn't have to stand" but whom he asked to do it because "he is the best." In his view, he is a mayor who "doesn't hide," who "shows up" and who "manages."
"And that's why I want Xavi in the Congress of Deputies," he underscored, reiterating that he intends for him to be the speaker of the Anti-squatting Law, "so that what works in Badalona can work throughout all of Spain."
Feijóo has reiterated that the PP will continue to defend in Catalonia the Spanish Constitution, freedom, effort, and the family as hallmarks of identity. "I am Galician, you are Catalans, and we are all Spaniards. Without contradiction, without asking for permission, and without asking for forgiveness," he said.
Elections to "put Spain to work"
The candidate stressed that these elections "are about much more" and are not reduced "to just one party or another." "They won't be more left-wing or right-wing. They won't be about feeling more or less Spanish," he said, to emphasize that these elections "are about whether this country has a future or not."
"These elections are about putting Spain to work. And I want to put to work this country that is ours," he insisted, warning Pedro Sánchez, a day after the general strike, that on November 29 citizens will not strike, but will go to the polls.
In his view, in this quote a choice is made between a lie or the truth; privilege or equality; incompetence or management; continuity or change. “And I ask Spain that on November 29 it says change,” he has demanded. He has defended that this is about opening “a new stage of cordiality, of understanding, of work and of collaboration”.
Warning regarding violence and support for the Security Forces
Feijóo has referred to the incidents recorded during the general strike in several cities, including Barcelona, and has warned that they are not going to back down. He has said that “the failure of the electoral strike has demonstrated its impotence,” but he has urged not to “disregard the danger that this entails” because “the impotence of the left and of the radicals usually turns into violence.”
“Some want to impose a normality of violence and extortion like the one we have seen in other parts of Europe. I say one thing, and I say it before voting. We are not going to allow it,” he has assured, expressing his support for the two young people affiliated with the PP who were assaulted on Wednesday in Barakaldo.
That same Thursday afternoon, Feijóo has held in Girona a meeting with unions and associations of the Forces and Security Forces, to whom he has promised that, if he reaches the Palacio de la Moncloa, the Policía and the Guardia Civil will be recognized as a profession of risk and penalties against the violent will be toughened.