The president of the People's Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has advocated this Saturday for the need to address issues he considers priorities for the country's future, even if they generate controversy. During the closing of the XVI National Congress of Nuevas Generaciones del PP, held in Valladolid, the popular leader assured that the criticisms received in recent days will not change his position.
"I don't care, because I am here to have brave debates and leave a better country for young people like you," he stated to the attendees of the meeting, which focused largely on policies aimed at youth.
Defends his proposals on nationality and absenteeism
In his speech, Feijóo referred to several of the proposals that have generated criticism in recent days. Among them, he mentioned his stance on the granting of Spanish nationality, stating that questioning that millions of people can obtain it "from one day to the next" without the necessary guarantees should not be a cause for reproach.
He also defended the need to pursue fraudulent labor absenteeism and reiterated his support for measures aimed at economically assisting those who are going to be mothers or fathers from the months prior to the birth of their children.
The president of the PP also added that he has received criticism for demanding that self-employed workers not have to bear the cost derived from the irregular behavior of a minority.
Criticism of the Government and the Grandchildren Law
During his speech, Feijóo once again questioned the so-called Grandchildren Law and assured that, in his opinion, it neither responds to that designation nor is it limited to that group.
The leader of the opposition also took the opportunity to attack the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez. With an ironic tone, he stated that some consider that the intentions of "sanchismo" in electoral processes cannot be questioned and added that even people from his own political circle have publicly expressed their criticisms.
"I am not satisfied with what I inherit"
Feijóo defended that his career in public service has always been oriented towards introducing improvements and rejected being satisfied with the inherited situation. As he explained, both from the Government and from the opposition, he understands that his responsibility consists of promoting changes and making decisions.
In that context, he recalled that after his victory in the 2009 Galician elections, a strike was called even before he took office. In his opinion, criticism is part of political activity, and he assured that he interprets it as a sign that he is moving in the direction he considers appropriate.
A large part of the speech was directed at the participants of the New Generations congress. Feijóo expressed his intention to become "the president of the youth" and acknowledged that the future presents difficulties, although he refused to offer an unrealistic image of the country.
Among his commitments, he indicated that he will work so that savings are not penalized and that those who wish to start a family have support.
The popular leader also thanked the work carried out by the party's New Generations and encouraged its members to play an active role within the organization. According to him, young people should not be "anyone's quota," but rather act as the conscience of the party and remember the needs of their generation.