The former president of the Generalitat, José Montilla, emphasized this Saturday that "the adversary is not destroyed, he is defeated democratically," referring to the tactics that, in his opinion, aim for personal disqualification instead of the contrast of political projects.
In statements to Cadena Cope, Montilla recalled that in electoral campaigns there have always been "exaggerations and lies," although he considered the intensity of the current climate concerning, as the station reported in a note.
He lamented that "insult, defamation, lies, that is something a little new. And it is a global phenomenon, unfortunately," disconnecting this drift from a matter limited to the Spanish political sphere.
Immigration and reception capacity in Catalonia
When addressing the increase in the population in Catalonia linked to immigration, the former leader expressed reservations and insisted that "the reception capacity of a society is limited."
Montilla warned that "if there is no work here, people will leave," and called for rigorous planning that allows for the maintenance of public services and infrastructure in light of the increase in inhabitants.
In this line, he emphasized that "the airport has become too small for us, the railway infrastructures have become too small for us," demanding actions to adapt them to the demographic and economic reality.
Defense of an orderly management of immigration
Montilla specified that he has never supported the slogan "papers for all" and defended the importance of an orderly management of migratory flows, so that the available resources can properly attend to the citizens.
He also claimed the need to make unpopular decisions when they are essential for the future: "If you want to govern with a medium and long-term project, you know that there are things that have to be done, because, if not, a problem will arise."