The President of the Government, Pedro Sanchezwas released during his first control session in the Executive and after presenting his plan for democratic regeneration with a hoax. Sánchez welcomed the appointment of Teresa Ribera as Vice-President of the European Commission and said that “never has a Spanish woman had as much power and influence within the European Commission as Teresa Ribera.”
The Secretary General of the PP, Cuca Gamarrahe replied, reminding him of the Loyola de Palacio case. He did so after Sánchez had already left the House of Congress.
“Even though Mr. Sánchez has left, the first Spanish woman vice-president of the European Commission was Loyola de Palacio,” he told her. “A little respect for the women who paved the way, even if they were not from their party. And a little respect for the history of Spain and for the truth,” Gamarra added.
Loyola de Palacio She was Vice-President of the European Commission between 1999 and 2004. She was the first woman to hold this position, more than 20 years ago, and she came from the PP. In fact, it had been part of the cabinet of Jose Maria Aznar as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 1996 until his departure for Europe.
In addition to being Vice-President of the European Commission, De Palacio was also at that time Commissioner for Relations with the European Parliament, Transport and Energy of the Commission.
Teresa Ribera, for her part, will be Executive Vice-President and will include the Competition portfolio, as well as elements of industrial policy and competitiveness as the European leader for the clean, fair and competitive transition.
Paradoxically, Ribera aspired to include the energy portfolio among his competencies, something that Loyola de Palacio had. However, the one who will finally lead this portfolio is the Frenchman. Stephane Sejournejust out of Emmanuel Macron’s government, where he was Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Although Ribera’s appointment as vice-president of the European Commission is good news for Spain, between the government and the opposition there is a discussion about his real power and the scope he could have in the future. The PSOE spokesman in Congress, Patxi López, even accused the PP of not being happy with this news.
This Wednesday the first control session took place with Pedro Sánchez and Alberto Nuñez Feijoo present in the House after the summer. Furthermore, this comes after the government presented the so-called democratic regeneration plan that Sánchez developed during his now famous five days of reflection.
Feijóo, in his first intervention, gave his first response on this subject and accused Sánchez of “censoring and persecuting anyone who dares to criticize him.” “Nothing like this has been seen since Franco,” he said.
