Maria Guardiola She had a difficult role: she was surrounded by nine different candidates to whom she had to report on her management at the head of the regional government of Extremadura. However, she managed to emerge victorious from the debate on the Extremadura Canal.
The president of Extremadura and candidate for re-election of the PP managed to praise the good economic results of her government in front of the PSOE candidate, Miguel Angel Gallardowhich was limited by the multiple references to his accusation.
Of course, Guardiola avoided answering what the Popular Party would do if it finally reached December 22 without an absolute majority in the Mérida Assembly.
The debate, organized during a day marked by complaints of sexual harassment within the PSOE, brought together the ten candidates for the presidency of the Council in what constitutes a historic step: the first early elections of the history of Extremadura.
The popular president found herself facing an ideal configuration (for her speech) on the set: between Miguel Ángel Gallardo and Oscar Fernándezthe Vox candidate, forming “the grip of the PSOE and Vox” that Guardiola continually mentioned
In addition to them, the board candidates of Unidas por Extremadura, Juntos-Levanta, Ciudadanos, PACMA, Nuevo Extremeñismo, Una Extremadura Unida and Por Un Mundo Más Juntos also participated.
Despite attacks on several fronts, Guardiola managed the rhythms better than his political opponents. He highlighted that Extremadura has the lowest unemployment rate in its history, the highest number of workers and that the region is leading the increase in salaries nationally.
“Two and a half years were enough to show that another Extremadura is possible”he declared confidently.
The socialist candidate, for his part, arrived at the debate weakened by his accusation David Sánchez case. Guardiola did not hesitate to point this out publicly “for the first time in history, we have a candidate indicted”.
Gallardo tried to defend himself by claiming to be “here because I didn’t do anything”, and he even turned to the President of the Council to say: “When everything becomes clear, you will have to excuse me.”.
The socialist focused his speech on criticism of the privatization of public services and the pact between PP and Vox, accusing Guardiola of having lied two years ago when he promised to govern alone.
“Two years ago he lied to us all and agreed with Vox”he said several times.
His most direct attack on the president came when he took a photo of the mayor of Malpartida de Cáceres next to the popular candidate, who was convicted in 2019 for beating his wife and which is currently still in operation.
Guardiola, implacable, responded: “I will not accept lessons in equality from a party that counted Ábalos and Salazar in its ranks and left hundreds of rapists on the streets.”
Gallardo was irregular at several points in the debate and lacked the strength to close his interventions.
But he was clear in asking the president “where are the”7 billion euros more than what the Government of Pedro Sánchez delivered to Extremadura”, in comparison with the Executive of Mariano Rajoy.
Vox Attacks
Much more incisive was Óscar Fernández, candidate of Vox, who took advantage of the platform to attack what he described as “the scam for two”.
He said that the PP and PSOE “lie” because they are both “guilty that our children live worse than their parents” and that “Extremadura is the poorest region in Spain”.
And he attacked Guardiola for “blocking” the region because it did not want to respect commitments made with Vox in 2023.
The regionalist discourse appeared more strongly when it came to infrastructure.
From Juntos-Levanta, Raúl Gonzalezknowing what it could be the key to forming a possible majority of the PPwished to make an express request to the candidate.
“When it is necessary to form a government, let Feijóo come by train to engage in the work that Extremadura needs. And I hope he fails, it is not difficult.”
Free debate
The free debate section became a particularly tense exchange. Guardiola accused Vox of being “the crutch of sanchismo” for failing to support his budgets.
While at Vox, Óscar Fernández distanced himself from this attack, accusing the PP and PSOE of the closure of Almaraz for “their pacts in Brussels”.
Guardiola’s worst moment in the entire debate came when the Unidas candidate for Extremadura, Irene de Miguelcriticized Guardiola for “running away” from the four-way debate proposed by RTVE.
“He doesn’t come because he doesn’t want to answer”De Miguel said, asking what the PP would do if it ultimately did not obtain an absolute majority to govern alone after the December 21 elections.
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