This Tuesday, the Congress rejected, as expected, the eleven candidates proposed by the parliamentary groups for the new Spanish Radio Television Council, although they will in all likelihood be elected in a second vote next Thursday, where only one absolute majority will be necessary. not with reservation as during this first vote.
Two weeks ago, the government obtained the necessary approval from the Lower House for a modification of the functioning of the governing body of RTVE, aimed at increasing the number of directors and definitively lowering the parliamentary majorities necessary for their appointment . With the new law, new members need two-thirds of MPs in a first vote, but can be elected with an absolute majority in a second vote 48 hours later.
This modification is the way that the PSOE found to overcome the blockage that the PP exerted on the renewal of this body. To this end, he negotiated with the nomination partners to increase the number of advisors in order to constitute a new, more plural Council, in which a greater number of these parties will be able to propose their candidates.
Thus, after the pact, the PSOE included in its quota the former director of RTVE José Pablo López, the singer-songwriter Rosa León and the former communications director of Bolaños, Esther de la Mata. Until a few months ago, José Pablo López was the company’s content director, but the tensions generated by the negotiation for the hiring of David Broncano caused his departure. He also included journalist Angélica Rubio and Mercedes de Pablos Candón on his list.
Sumar proposed María Teresa Martín, linked to the Workers’ Commissions, and Marta Ribas, who is part of Esquerra Verde, a party located within the municipalities. Meanwhile, Junts together proposed Miquel Calçada Olliveras within its quota, ERC to Sergi Sol, Podemos to Mariano Muniesa and PNV to María Roncevalles Solana.
The eleven candidates already received last Thursday a first parliamentary support within the Advisory Commission on Congressional Nominations with 180 votes in favor, 33 votes against from VOX and the absence of the PP.
“Today they confirm their assault on Spanish Radio and Television,” criticized the PP deputy, Macarena Montesinos, who raised her voice against the socialist seats during her speech, accusing the government of exchanging ” voices against armchairs and voices against prisoners”. But they will never be able to buy the opinion of the Spaniards who judge them for their actions,” he said.
The PSOE deputy, Vicent Manuel Sarrià, defended that “it will be the most pluralist council of RTVE” because it will have representation from the majority of parties represented in Congress. “Or will they give up presenting their candidates to the Senate,” he asked the people.
Esquerra defended during the plenary session that the reform would mean “a more professional, efficient and transparent model” of management of public radio and television. “The PP is not someone to give lessons in this sense, because the Valencian president was meeting to broadcast Valencian television in the middle of the DANA tragedy,” the Republicans emphasized.
On Thursday, when the plenary resumes, the eleven RTVE councilors will vote again and, barring any surprises, they will have the support of the parliamentary majority which made the investiture of Pedro Sánchez possible.
