The delegate of the Government in Cantabria, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, has harshly reproached the Popular Party for the decision to overturn, together with Junts per Catalunya and VOX, the Royal Decree that included a set of measures aimed at protecting the economy, supporting vulnerable sectors and promoting sustainability and energy efficiency. According to Gómez de Diego, this position shows that the PP “systematically acts against the general interest” and “puts its partisan interests before the well-being of the citizens of Cantabria and the whole of Spain”.
The delegate regretted that among the measures that could not be applied after the rejection of the Royal Decree is the gratuitousness of commuter trains for Cantabria in 2025, an initiative that was benefiting thousands of Cantabrians. In this regard, he denounced that “once again, the PP turns its back on the citizens, showing that it is not committed to the mobility or progress of our region.”
“The position of the PP to harm Cantabria and the whole of Spain is outrageous,” stressed Gómez de Diego, placing special emphasis on the negative effects of this decision for the 131,000 pensioners in Cantabria. The rejection prevents the revaluation of 2.8% of pensions in general, 6% for minimum pensions, 9% for non-contributory pensions and the Minimum Vital Income, and 9.1% for widows’ pensions with family burdens. “They are denying thousands of elderly and vulnerable families an increase necessary to face inflation,” he said.
It has also highlighted the impact on local administrations, since the text included the increase in the deliveries on account to autonomous communities and municipalities. “The PP has chosen to block essential resources to improve public services and guarantee the financial stability of our municipalities,” he criticized.
The electro-intensive industry will also be harmed, as explained by the delegate, by eliminating the 80% discount on electric tolls until 2025, a measure that she considered key to maintaining the competitiveness of Cantabrian companies. In addition, tax deductions for energy efficiency in homes and electric vehicles have also been left out. “It is incomprehensible that the PP boycotts measures that promote sustainability and ecological transition, something that both companies and citizens demand,” he said.
Gómez de Diego has also warned of the impact on workers with lower incomes, who will not be able to benefit from raising the income limit to 22,000 euros to be exempt from filing the income tax return. “With this decision, the PP not only harms families with fewer resources, but also demonstrates their lack of sensitivity to the real problems of citizens,” he said.
“The People’s Party has shown once again that its priority is not the general interest, but to block any initiative that benefits the social majority,” concluded Gómez de Diego. The delegate urged the PP to “reflect on the damage they are causing” and reiterated the commitment of the Government of Spain to Cantabria: “We are not going to stop working to protect people, strengthen the economy and move towards a more just and sustainable future.”