Oviedo (EFE).- The Popular Party has finally decided not to present a candidate in the investiture debate of the president of the Principality, a decision with which it hopes that the acting president and candidate for re-election, Adrián Barbón, can do without IU in his next government “and lean towards the center.”
The parliamentary spokesman of the PP, Diego Canga, had announced weeks ago that he would run for the Presidency of the Principality, despite the fact that the votes of the 17 popular deputies in the General Meeting of the Principality and the possible support of the four of Vox did not guarantee his election. .
With the announced abstention of the Forum deputy, Adrián Pumares, the Socialists have their 19 seats and the support of the three United Left that guarantee the re-election of Barbón since for the inauguration of the president in Asturias you can only vote in favor or refrain.
The PP admits that it does not have the “necessary numbers”
The debate in which Barbón will be sworn in as President of the Principality for the second time will be held in the Asturian parliament on July 18, 19 and 21, on the eve of the general elections.
The date for holding this debate has also weighed when the PP decided not to present a candidate, as Canga pointed out today at a press conference, who has assured that they have done so mainly for “reasons arising from responsibility and of the defense of the interests of Asturias”.
“The PSOE, although by a narrow margin, was the list with the most votes and the new parliamentary arithmetic of the General Meeting prevents the PP from having the necessary numbers to successfully run for the presidency of Asturias,” Canga admitted.
According to the popular leader, with this decision the PSOE now has an alternative in its hands and will not need the United Left to ensure Barbón’s re-election, something that, in his opinion, will allow a solo government of the Socialists that, although negative, ” it would be less lethal than if it were tied to the demands of UI.”
Outstretched hand to reach agreements
Canga recalled that after the elections on May 28, Asturias is surrounded by three communities governed by the popular -Galicia, Castilla y León and Cantabria- and that in this context he does not want the Principality to continue betting on a government and management model “that has failed”.
“With the resignation of the PP to present a candidate, Barbón can lean towards the center, an option that we believe is preferred by a large majority of Asturians,” added the PP spokesman, who has assured that he will continue with “the outstretched hand” to be able to reach agreements with the PSOE on matters of interest.
The demographic challenge, unemployment, care for the elderly, health and the fight against bureaucracy are some points on which, according to Canga, agreements can be reached between the two big parties, as well as other problems that affect life of the Asturians.
For Canga, the PP is a “responsible party, with high vision and a sense of State” that always puts the general interests of Asturias first. EFE