The transition to democracy materialized in Spain with the approval in the Cortes, on November 18, 1976, of the eighth Fundamental Law of Francoism: the Law for Political Reform. The network of elites, great fortunes and Francoist politicians, was maintained. For years, those same great powers worked hard to inoculate us with the idea that the Transition was exemplary.
The bipartisan common sense —which was installed since the beginning of the 80s and which lasted until the outbreak of 15M— did nothing more than entrench the customs of corruption and clientelism, which since the construction of the Spanish State and even more so during the years of the dictatorship, have been the constant in the political life of our country. The institutional dimensions that corruption acquired in the Franco years continued unabated in the first decades of democracy. And although now we begin to glimpse another type of political management, the State Sewers, in collusion with media and economic powers, show that we have not been able to bury this endemic evil.
The appearance of Podemos in 2014 marked a before and after in the political life of our country. I do not intend here to explain and analyze how our organization was born. Rivers of ink have already been spilled in recent years and I could add little else, except my personal experience: illusion and commitment, which have led me to take the step into the institutional political arena in Podemos before any other political party. Even so, it is clear that a lot has happened in these last three years that I would like to try to put into proper perspective.
The coalition government — called by the media at the service of the “social communist” and “philoetarra” political right — has put on the table a new way of governing, far from the impertinent despotism typical of absolute majorities and reaching agreements with different forces to carry out, for example, three State Budget laws. Contrast, by the way, with the inability of Ayuso or Almeida, who despite their majority have not been able to approve the most important law that each administration has.
This formula of government —which every day with its management demonstrates that it works— was until recently inconceivable in a democracy. The last precedent was in 1936. And, paradoxically, that is something that a right wing unable to disassociate itself from its Francoist past has not forgiven.
During these three years, and with particular harshness in recent months, the media paid for and subsidized by the great powers have not stopped fueling Podemos and its leaders with hoaxes and manipulated news, because it is the first time that a force of government calls into question the indecent privileges of some. That is the difference between Podemos and the rest, which is the only truly transformative force and which has promoted measures that were unthinkable until today. Do you remember all the times we were told “you can’t”? Take an example: The cap on the price of gas. Something that we had been demanding for years and that they told us was impossible. Today, in Spain we pay a lower price than in the rest of the European countries, and we are advancing more decisively in the development of renewables. In parallel, we cannot forget the so-called “FerrerasGate” (click here if you want to know more), the clearest example of how the powers are willing to do anything as long as nothing changes, and why not say it, they also exemplify the crisis suffered by national journalism. Bad news for ordinary citizens who see their right to truthful information contained in Article 20 of the EC violated.
We have been accused of being stubborn, radical and even unsympathetic, harassing the figures of Pablo Iglesias and Irene Montero to infinity. Theft of telephones through a “patriotic police” at the service of the PP; illegal demonstrations day and night of madmen at the doors of his house; dehumanization; death threats… And also, putting into motion all possible propaganda machinery to twist public opinion. One day this anti-democratic aberration will be studied in Political Science universities.
During this time, we have been held responsible for all the ills of the country, the examples are many, but perhaps the pandemic was the historical moment where the powers put all their efforts in overthrowing a democratically constituted government.
Podemos is the necessary political tool to point out those who really profit from social injustice and pervert the institutions from their position of privilege. Those who today are determined to liquidate our project are sidelined in the face of corruption cases that would embarrass any democrat who loves public services. Those who today put all their forces into making Podemos disappear from the equation are the same ones who aspire to return to a bipartisanship that has only served to divide up the great cake of power in Spain.
We see it on practically all television when in the great debates between fellow members who have stopped inviting representatives of Podemos. Radio stations that every day instill merciless criticism of the purple formation. Anything goes to kill us. It has never been forgiven for giving normal people a voice on the street.
We see it in the informative silence that currently exists, and that I personally, and as a candidate for mayor of Madrid, suffer from some media. Democracy only for when we are interested.
Council of Madrid City
We see it in the institutions, for example in the Madrid City Council itself, with a mayor constantly whitewashed by an opposition that has not lived up to it. That he has agreed with Vox, Ciudadanos and PP, in the Villa Pacts and that he has been unable to make him pay for his excesses with the case of the masks. Two gentlemen enriching themselves with multi-million dollar figures while our people died in residences and hospitals, thanks to the mayor’s cousin.
We also see it in the neighborhoods of our city, completely forgotten by a political class that is more concerned about having their offices clean than that our streets are clean. And those are the ones who claim to represent the will of the citizens! I am tired of seeing my compatriots suffer abandonment by everyone, even by those who claim to be progressive. Who are silent too many times. The progress only for the photo. In Podemos we have always differentiated ourselves in something, and it is in not being the typical weather vane party, more concerned with opinion polls than with their own convictions. We are not going to win by proposing the same thing as the PP. We know what country we want. And that’s why he hasn’t stopped constantly persecuting us, even with false evidence. Where were those who claimed to be the new left then? Real politics in this country is only for the brave who are willing to fight the powerful. Not everyone is worth it, and that is why there are those who prefer to support NATO, put themselves in profile, or vote with the worst right when they are interested. Everyone chooses which side they are on. I have it clear.
Nine Years of Dignity
These are nine years of dignity and social progress, especially in these years of coalition government. To be fair with the rights conquered is to recognize what has been achieved. And a lot has been thanks to Podemos, to brave women and men who have put their faces and continue to put their souls to make this country a real full democracy.
At a time when the winds of intolerance and hatred are lurking again is when we must be firmer and more secure. It is now when we must push forward and demonstrate that Madrid is going to be the driving force behind the transformation that the Spanish government accompanies, to achieve a more dignified country and more livable cities.
During the last days I have watched with concern the speeches that have been adopted in the PP. The “enemies of Spain” that they said back in 1936 about republicans, liberals, socialists and communists return to impregnate the daily story. We see it in the vocabulary of the leaders of the PP, among them the mayor of Madrid, Martínez Almeida, when he equates us with ETA and stigmatizes us as if we were the evil that wants to end the country. Enough of speeches that endanger democracies and that can only lead us down the path of unprecedented social tension.
In May we have a new opportunity to put an end to this dangerous drift, and begin to fully understand that in Madrid there is no one left over and that another way of doing politics is possible. We have achieved it in the government of Spain and I am prepared with all my soul for it to be so in Madrid. Against all odds, against all pressures, to put the council at the service of the people, at the service of social welfare. That’s why I joined Podemos.
This article is originally published on blogs.publico.es
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