PP’s Reactions to the Minister of Transport’s Criticism
The controversy surrounding the statements of the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, has provoked a wave of criticism from the Popular Party (PP). Esteban González Pons, deputy secretary of Institutional Affairs of the PP, has expressed his discontent with the minister’s comments, arguing that they put inappropriate pressure on the judicial system.
The Independence of the Judiciary at Stake
González Pons stressed that the government should not interfere in the decisions of the judiciary, citing a recent European Union report highlighting government pressure as one of the main problems in Spain. In an interview on Spanish National Radio, the politician stressed that judicial independence is a fundamental pillar of the rule of law.
The Constitutional Court and the Amnesty Law
The deputy secretary criticised Puente’s assumption that the Constitutional Court would act according to the Government’s instructions regarding the Amnesty Law. Pons indicated that such an assertion could undermine the credibility of the court, suggesting that the only appropriate response would be a denial by the court’s president.
Jaume Duch’s New Position and its Challenges
On another topic, González Pons referred to the appointment of Jaume Duch as the new Catalan minister for EU and Foreign Affairs. Although he is a personal friend of Duch, the PP politician expressed his doubts about the viability of his new role, given that he is expected to defend a bilateral relationship between Catalonia and Brussels that, according to him, is not aligned with the Spanish Constitution.
Unification of Efforts among Regional Leaders
González Pons also defended the recent call by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the PP, to meet with the regional presidents of the party. Despite recognizing the need for dialogue, Pons advocated for a more inclusive meeting that also includes the leaders of the PSOE, suggesting that there is a growing consensus around the injustice of the Catalan quota.
Future Perspectives in Political Dialogue
With tensions between the different political forces growing, Pons was optimistic that even the socialist presidents would recognise the problem of the Catalan quota. This could open the door to a more constructive dialogue between the parties, although the path to a solution remains uncertain.