The PNV sees the Government as more "careful" with its parliamentary partners: "They hang by force"

MADRID, 23 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The PNV spokesperson in Congress, Aitor Esteban, admits that in this new legislature the Government is being more "careful" in its relationship with its parliamentary partners than in the previous one. "They hang by force," he points out, emphasizing that now the situation is different and the coalition Executive has less "room for maneuver."

"Now all parliamentary groups are essential, which leaves them little room for maneuver to do things that attract attention or greatly bother other members," Esteban explained in an interview with the RNE Parliament program, collected by Europa Press.

In his opinion, this new scenario forces the Executive to "tune up" and "take steps" because in order to "consolidate" it has to "get off to a good start."

"They have to draw up Budgets, the first laws and the first decrees have to work, so they are being careful," acknowledges the PNV spokesperson, who in the previous legislature repeatedly asked the Government to be more considerate of the groups that gave it support.

Esteban does not trust that the "tension" with which the legislature started will subside and he does not see any pacts between the Government and the PP either because in six months there are European elections which, he predicts, some will want to present as "a repetition of the general ones".

From his point of view, it is "surprising" that there is "no agreement" between the two major parties and that the mere meeting between the leaders of PSOE and PP is news when dialogue at that level should be "absolutely normal."

Esteban recalled that PNV and PSOE have just agreed with the PP on the deflation of personal income tax in Álava. "Talking between parties and reaching agreements should be the norm," he stressed, pointing out that he does not believe that this pact with the 'popular' is the prelude to similar future agreements.

Regarding when the Basque elections will be held, remember that it is the decision of the Lehendakari, Íñigo Urkullu. "The deadline is July, but it is not a month for elections, at the latest they would be in June. The Lehendakari has already said that he has some laws on the agenda that he would like to have approved," he indicated.

On the other hand, Esteban has admitted that the PNV collaborates with Junts in Congress - for example, they jointly registered the investigation commissions on 'Operation Catalonia' and the 2017 attacks - and that they will continue to do so "to advance agendas that they may have in common", but not "against anyone" or "to counteract" the actions of the bloc that ERC, Bildu and Podemos may form.

Asked if he hopes that in this legislature the reform of the Citizen Security Law, known by its critics as the 'gag law', can be carried out, he was cautious and recalled that in the previous one a "broad consensus" was reached but It could not be done due to the refusal of ERC and Bildu. Therefore, he has insisted that everything will depend on what those two parties do.