When the government of Pedro Sanchez and the Generalitat Valenciana led by Carlos Mazon intensify their criticism due to the management of the DANA crisis, which has already caused more than 220 deaths in Spain, the situation ends up returning to normal and you too. This is why speeches that call for unity attract attention, gestures that show that exceptions can arise in politics without falling into the rubble of polarization.
The emotional embrace in which they fused this Wednesday November 13 two senators from PP and the PSOE It represents precisely this flash of unity, in a parliamentary life marked by mutual recriminations between the political parties engaged in the search for those responsible behind the devastating floods.
“It’s sad that it’s news,” he tells EL ESPAÑOL Jose Anthony Sacredmayor of Paternal (PSOE) and one of the protagonists of this operation. “It was totally spontaneous, authentic and sincere,” he says. Gerard Campsformer Valencian vice-president and PP senator. For him, the fact that the press includes such behavior in its headlines “signifies the extent to which politics has reached a degree of tension, in which what is extraordinary is that we agree on something when it should be the usual thing.”
The response to the humanitarian catastrophe, one of the worst and the one which has hit the European continent the hardest during this century, cannot come only “from reason”, but also from “the heart”, adds Camps in a conversation with this newspaper. “It is not enough to approve a series of measures, but to accompany the Valencians in this irreparable pain, a pain that knows no flag because despair has no side.”
Because in a “misfortune” like this, Camps continues, “there can be no partisan differences”. “We are not talking about problems that ideologies can lead, we are talking about the tragedy of the Valencians and we must all be together.”
“Gerardo is coming!”
During the plenary session of the Upper House, Sagredo spoke with a Valencian flag stained with mud Paiporta known as zero point of DANA, and he could not prevent his voice from breaking several times: “I hope that they will join the cry of Valencia and that we will give him what he asks of us, something as simple as changing confrontation for union.”
Gerardo Camps (PP) and Juan Antonio Sagredo (PSOE), on October 9 at the Cathedral of Valencia.
When he finished, it was the turn of the popular senator, who approached Sagredo’s seat to hug him. “I folded the bill with the help of Mari Tere —María Teresa Macías, senator of Extremadura– and I don’t realize that Gerardo is approaching, but Alphonse Gil —general secretary of the socialists in the upper house— said to me: Gérard is coming! And I look up and he gives me a hug. We were both excited,” says Sagredo.
“It wasn’t posturing or speculation,” Camps says. “He gave a precise speech, I was moved and I couldn’t go out to talk without hugging him, we were both with our hearts in our hands.”
The former Valencian vice-president claims to have met neighbors in recent days who felicity for this gesture. “I don’t know if they’re right or left and I don’t care.” “Congratulations on your hugthey make us believe in politics and politicians,” they told him.
None of them now wants to talk about political responsibilities. Now is not the time. For Camps, “it will have to come, but we must first respond to the emergency”. For the socialist councilor, it is enough to look at the “mayors and councilors of all sides; none of us criticized and we got to work, publicly we did not say a word and we see the day the day and that’s not the case.” the thing to throw waste but to remove waste.
“This hug can be the start of a different outlook on things.” Paterna, located in the so-called metropolitan area of Valencia, is recognized as the Town of Foc —city of fire— because of its connection with the gunpowder. “This spark in this affair lights the fire of solidarity,” welcomes its mayor.
Good relationship
Juan Antonio Sagredo (Burjasot, 1977) and Gerard Camps (Benidorm, 1963) They are both Valencian. They met a year and a half ago Senate. During this period, the two shared trains and planes on several occasions. And even Taxi: from Atocha station to Plaza de la Marina Española, where the Upper House is located. Deputies and senators have a bonustaxi up to 3,000 euros per year that Parliament offers them to facilitate their travel, and sharing is generally not common.
For the moment, they did not go out on a whim, jokes the socialist mayor, but they maintain “good relations”. “I think he’s a very nice guy,” praises Sagredo. “She’s a beautiful, wonderful person,” praises Camps.
“There are people in politics who try to get along regardless of their party. It makes no sense that there are personal differences because there are ideological differences,” defends Camps. Sagredo supports his position: “Beyond the clashes, I have no doubt that Gerardo and other people in the PP want the best for the Valencian Community.”
The last time they met was three weeks ago, in the Valencia Cathedral during the celebration of Te Deum for him October 9Day of Valencian Community. Sagredo became the free verse of the party because he was the only one of his people to enter the church. The rest of the socialists consider that civil matters should not be mixed with religious matters. There, he ended up sharing a seat with Camps, who laughingly commented to him: “Mayor, what are you like?”
On another occasion, Camps even told him: “As a member of the PP, I would prefer that the mayor be from my party, but knowing you, Juan Antonio, how difficult it will be!” And he’s right. Sagredo governs with absolute majority after having collected 48% of the votes in the municipal elections of May 2023.
