Bilbao (EFE).- The general secretary of the PSE-EE, Eneko Andueza, has pointed out that the Basque socialists are “essential” because they represent “the axis of the balance”, which without them “would fall on the more sovereign side”.
In a speech before the National Committee of his party, he stated that without the Socialists the Basque Country would be “less social” and “less progressive”.
Andueza has spoken before the highest body between congresses of the PSE-EE, meeting in Bilbao to ratify the electoral lists of the formation to the General Meetings and to the municipalities between 20,000 and 50,000 inhabitants.
The socialist leader has considered the municipal and regional elections of May 28 as “transcendental”.
As he has argued, in them “true politics is at stake”, the one that he manages “thinking about the good of the people, and not about those good people”, who are the ones who “need the least”.
The “useful” and “true” left
Andueza has presented his party as the “useful” left that thinks about the needs of the people.
He represents, as he has indicated, the left “truly that never doubts when it is necessary to choose between progress and sovereignty, between modernity or stagnation, between plurality or uniformity…”.
As an example of his way of doing politics, he has highlighted some of the measures implemented in Euskadi.
Among them, he cited the Lanbide reform promoted by the socialist vice-elehendakari Idoia Mendia.
He has also referred to the extension, “thanks to the Socialists”, of the 50% discount on transportation “despite the resistance of some mayors of the capital – alluding to PNV leaders, with whom the Socialists share governments- “.
Due to this way of doing things, he has admitted that “tensions are generated”.
He has pointed out, however, that the socialists are not in the governments to “sleep in office”, but to “change things” and “make a better country”.
The “axis of the balance”
He has considered that without them there would be no certain advances and has asked by way of example: “Who would have stopped an Education Law that Bildu and PNV wanted to dedicate to national construction?”
“Who would have brought the Tax on Great Fortunes to the Basque Country?” or “who the tram to Zabalgana or the underground to Zorroza?”, he has continued.
The socialists, he has maintained, are “the axis of the balance” and in this task “they bother” because they represent “socialism without complexes and has its own voice, which does not shut up.”
They bother, as he has considered, because “they lead governments and set the pace” and their “progressive agenda advances.”
“What have they -the socialists- done so that the middle and working classes get to the end of the month better?”, he asked.
“Well, nothing, except raising the minimum wage, raising pensions, lowering the electricity bill, lowering VAT on food, providing aid for gasoline, public transport…”, he summarized.
The socialist leader has also called for “an extra effort” from banks, electricity companies and big fortunes “because it also depends on them that we get out of this.”
In his speech, he also referred to the draft law on parity representation approved this week by the central government.
Socialism “opening paths for equality”
As he congratulated himself, “once again” socialism is “opening the way for equality”, for which he added: “Who is going to give us lessons!” in this ambit.
“That they do not dare to despise the course of a struggle” that “belongs to no one, but in which we socialists have always been! And above all the socialists! ”, He has warned.
The political leader, who has predicted that on the next Women’s Day, Basque women will take to the streets to demand their rights “on a festive and demanding March 8”, as proposed by Vice-Hendakari Mendia.
Andueza has insisted that it is “fundamental” that the Socialists come out stronger from the next elections to continue maintaining their policies.
The PSE-EE leader concluded with words of remembrance for the recently deceased former socialist leader Rodolfo Ares.
Andueza has ensured that Ares would have turned to the next electoral campaign.
As he has said, “it would have suffocated the candidates, the campaign coordinators, the groups with calls. He would have told us to hit the streets. That we were with the people”.
“And that is what we have to do. It is the best tribute that we can pay him ”, he has urged his fellow socialists. EFE
