Valladolid, Mar 11 (EFE).- The leader of Podemos in Castilla y León and spokesman for the party at the national level, Pablo Fernández, has been convinced that the local elections on May 28 are a “very good opportunity for , from the municipal level, put a containment dam against the harmful policies that the PP and Vox are perpetrating at the regional level ”.
In an interview with the EFE Agency, Fernández has analyzed the electoral possibilities of his party and the left, with the certainty that the coalition of the PSOE and United We Can in the central government will complete the legislature and the elections will be in December: “I think sincerely that the deadlines will be respected and the legislature will be exhausted ”, he said.
Ask. In how many municipalities will there be Podemos lists or at least their political space?
Answer. The exact number is difficult to determine because we are in the process of finalizing candidacies throughout the Community, but what is certain is that we are going to present ourselves in more municipalities than in 2019 and that is progress for us.
“We arrived in better conditions than in 2019”
Q. Is the party more or less strong than in 2019?
We have been able to stand out, we have managed to grow, strengthen ourselves where we had a presence and we have been able to implement ourselves where we had no representation. We arrive in better conditions now than in 2019.
Q. What does Podemos feel when you look at what happened in Zamora, with an IU mayor who gets an absolute majority? Will they present a candidacy there?
It will always be good news that there is a left-wing, progressive candidacy, which is also doing a good job and has the majority support of the people of Zamora. It is true that we are talking about a sector of the UI that does not want to join a coalition with Podemos, but we will always believe that it is good news that a left-wing party is ruling. We are seriously considering the option of not presenting ourselves, so as not to subtract any votes from that left-wing space.
Q. In 2019, the elections at the regional level represented a strong setback for Podemos. To what extent are they playing it in these 28M elections?
These are elections that for the first time in many years are going independently, without the regional ones, and I think it is a very good opportunity for the municipal government to put a containment dam against the harmful policies that the PP is perpetrating and Vox at the regional level.
Q. What is the objective that Podemos has in Castilla y León for 28M?
The objective is to achieve governments in as many localities as possible, in addition to entering the provincial councils with force, because they are crucial for the rural environment, especially in Castilla y León. Try to have as many mayors and councilors as possible.
“They are not a national plebiscite”
Q. Are they a first round of the year-end generals?
I do not think so. I perceive that the PP wants these elections to be a kind of plebiscite on the Government of the nation, but we give importance to the local, we do not conceive it that way, as a national plebiscite.
Q. Do you rule out that an electoral advance could be produced at the national level?
I think the legislature will end and the general elections will take place in December. The electoral advance is the power of the President of the Government, but I sincerely believe that the deadlines will be respected and the legislature will run out.
Q. And changes of ministers?
No, only by those socialist ministers who are going to be candidates in the municipal elections.
Q. And can Sánchez take advantage of that moment to dismiss ministers from Podemos?
I totally rule it out.
Q. Is there a strategic component in continuing in the coalition government despite the latest disagreements with the ‘only yes is yes’?
It is evident that here there is an evident dissent (law only if it is yes), but the coalition government has achieved very important achievements in this legislature, which have protected the citizenry. The Government has to retake the initiative and govern with more force. Many challenges remain. It is urgent to approve the housing law, regulate rental prices, put an end to evictions, put a cap on the price of basic food, it is essential to cap variable-rate mortgages… The Government cannot stand by and look at a social and economic situation which is very complicated for thousands of people and families in this country.EFE