It has been a dark week for Europe with everything that has happened with the new President of the United States. What should Spain do in this new international scenario?
Spain must defend the interests of Spaniards, not the government's electoral interests or posturing for votes. It must maintain good relations with the U.S. government, regardless of who is in power. However, Spain cannot stand idly by when its productive sectors are unfairly affected. Spain should have a common position with the EU, as only through the EU can we engage with the U.S. on equal terms.
How should the EU respond to Trump's trade war?
The EU should sit down, dialogue, negotiate, and be the last to leave the table. Insults, outbursts, and disqualifications lead nowhere. Prudent European leaders are cautious in their dealings with Trump. Spain, on the other hand, is the most reckless, persisting in confrontation, which is irresponsible.
Since 2014, Spain has committed to investing 2% of GDP in defense with NATO. Why has this not been achieved or pursued?
Spain has lacked a serious budget policy for seven years, with only three budgets approved during this time. This lack of stability weakens Spain's reliability with NATO and the EU, affecting its relationship with the U.S.
The PP party, if it comes to power, commits to increasing defense spending to 2% as required by NATO.
Regarding Vox, which shows great alignment with Trump and aims to import his style of politics to Spain and Europe, it is concerning that parties prioritize their electoral interests over defending citizens' interests.
Yes, as you say, if the Government's partners do not support increasing military spending, would the PP offer that support?
Mr. Sánchez first has to inform me. Second, ask me. And third, I will respond. In that order.
And none of that has happened.
Obviously. Sánchez keeps putting more concrete blocks on his wall. Mr. Sánchez is not reliable. He has rejected free proposals from the PP to approve the increase in pensions and more money for dana. He has preferred to humiliate himself before separatism rather than agree with the PP.
Are you not ruling out supporting the increase in military spending...
I never close the door on my country. But I remember that I am not here for Sánchez to be the President of the Government, but to change it.
On the other hand, Vox shows a great affinity with Trump and wants to import his style of politics to Spain and Europe. Does this concern you?
I am concerned that parties prioritize their electoral interests over defending the interests of the citizens they represent. It is very surprising to me that a party needs to import patriotism. My goal is to understand the U.S. Administration, but when that Administration is harming my country, I have no doubt that I have to defend my country. In foreign policy, it must be understood that personal opinions and electoral interests are secondary. The interest of your country must prevail. Unfortunately, neither the PSOE nor Vox are following that foreign policy. When one does not defend Spain, one cannot be considered a patriot.
What do you attribute Vox's rise in the polls to?
Rising one point in a poll and recovering what you had before, I don't know if that's a rise. Only the PP is above what it got in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
Surveys indicate that Abascal is attracting a lot of young votes, with a significant lead over you.
There is a greater difference in male votes than in female votes. Vox has always had a significant young vote. Young people show their rejection of the left, which interferes in their lives and tries to dictate how they should think. It is a protest vote. However, there is only one possibility for Sánchez to stay, and that is if all the people who want to remove him split their vote. If those young people choose the PP ballot, Sánchez is definitely out. A hundred percent. If that vote is divided, it could be like what happened on the 23rd of June, the ball hits the post, goes across the goal, and goes out.
But beyond the usefulness of the vote, what will the PP do to attract that young voter?
We have a program for young people. What is Vox's program for young people? We have tax and housing proposals for the issues young people face. I repeat, if we consolidate the vote, Sánchez goes, and he knows it. That's why they are interested in confrontation and polarization.
So, do you believe there is a tacit alliance between PSOE and Vox to corner the PP?
Sánchez has been pursuing this for years, since he concluded that he is unable to defeat the PP. He knows that his only chance is for the anti-Sánchez vote not to concentrate in one party. The entire Moncloa factory is really working for the PSOE 24 hours a day.
Have you already accepted that your only chance of reaching La Moncloa will be with the support of Vox?
My goal is to win the elections with a sufficient margin to govern alone. I have the feeling that it will not be the same as July 23rd [in the last general elections]. People are very disappointed: they thought the change was going to happen and have realized two things. First, the excess of confidence that occurred. And second, that the division of the vote causes Sánchez to stay. I think there will be a great mobilization of people who want Sánchez to leave.
We are reaching the halfway point of the term, what will be the PP's political strategy towards this entrenched Government you describe?
Combining opposition with proposals. My goal now is not just to oppose but to be a party of proposals and alternatives. In one day last week, we saw a minister calling another a liar at a press conference of the Council of Ministers, we saw the prosecutor deleting his messages, and the judge investigating Sánchez's brother asking the Civil Guard for information that Moncloa refuses to provide to the court. It's difficult to do politics like this. Nevertheless, in January, we presented a Valencia Plan with 12 billion euros to reactivate the Valencian economy and presented a housing plan that the Government has not even responded to regarding what they disagree with.
Housing is the main concern of Spaniards. Is building much more the only solution?
There is a real estate bubble, and the only possibility is to build more. If we build more, we will solve the deficit of 600,000 homes we have. If we build more, we will generate 145 billion euros a year in economic activity. If we build more, we can create around 700,000 jobs. And we can lower the price of housing due to an increase in supply.
You talk about "fiscal hell". What will the tax reform you will present in the coming weeks consist of?
We have seen fiscal hell with the minimum wage. This Government is the first in democracy to subject the minimum wage to income tax. We will review the 96 tax increases, one by one, to reduce the suffocating tax pressure that the Spanish Government has imposed in the last seven years. In December alone, taxes have increased by 10 billion euros. The fiscal hell in which Spanish incomes, especially middle and low incomes, live must be alleviated. Look at everything we have presented in four weeks: an energy policy to support the extension of nuclear power plants, a housing plan, the Valencia Plan, and the plan against fiscal hell.
But what specific tax cuts is the PP preparing?
We have to review the income tax, leave the minimum wage out of taxation, and present a specific tax proposal for the agricultural sector.
What would that consist of?
We are very concerned about the agricultural sector, especially in this possible trade war we may enter. We will make specific tax cuts. We are the leading country in fruits and vegetables in the EU and the fourth in the world in exports.
Do you think a tax cut could be more urgent if a tariff war breaks out?
That is a fact.
Is it possible to extend nuclear power plants? It seems they have the votes.
The PP has presented a proposal for an extension and we have won. Now we will present a bill. Five hundred nuclear power plants are being built or expanded worldwide. Europe has accepted it as green energy, and in Spain, due to ideological reasons, demagogy is being used.
What about the minimum wage?
With the Government's increase, workers lose purchasing power when subtracting income tax, contributions, and inflation. It is a raise where no one wins, except the Government, which does not contribute a euro and earns 1.2 billion euros. The Government is against workers' income and companies' productivity. And this type of fiscal populism to which we have been subjected has not even served to balance the books. Spain has increased its public debt by 35% and we still have a deficit of 50 billion euros. Therefore, we have paid more than ever and owe more than ever. This is the result of the Government's economic policy.