The Popular Party has decided to facilitate the approval of the decree of economic measures of the Government. But it will do so with an abstention, and not with an affirmative vote. The position of the party led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo has been kept secret until after 5:30 p.m., when the decision that until then only a handful of deputies knew about has been made public.
PP sources acknowledge that "it is an insufficient and incomplete plan", and they lack measures "specific for the middle classes" -such as deflating the personal income tax rate for income of less than 40,000 euros-. From the Genoa party they also criticize the Executive's refusal to lower the cost of the Administration and that, in addition to 22 ministers, adds more than 800 advisers attached to the Government of Spain.
But they value positively the fact that Pedro Sánchez has rectified his position regarding the reduction of VAT on electricity -which, had it arrived earlier, "would have cost the Spanish 200 million euros less"- as well as the start-up of "direct aid to the lowest incomes to mitigate minimally the effects of inflation" which, they insist, "leads the PP to abstain in the corresponding vote".
The gesture of the popular parliamentary group does not hide its criticism of the fiscal measures promoted by Pedro Sánchez and inspired by the economic doctrine of Podemos. "We cannot accompany the PSOE in its attempt to brand Vice President Díaz, and we cannot endorse economic theses that could endorse new price increases for energy and hydrocarbons. Nor can we bet on the acceleration of decarbonization, which reduces the electricity generation routes, reduces supply and opens the door to an increase in the rates that Spaniards bear," they point out from the popular ranks.
Regarding the announced tax on financial entities, "inconcrete and diffuse at the moment", the PP emphasizes that Sánchez has not offered any guarantee that it will not end up being passed on to citizens so that they can see how their credits become more expensive , the remuneration of their savings is reduced, credit is restricted or additional costs are generated in ordinary bank commissions for maintaining current accounts or withdrawing cash.
In summary, the popular underline that they do not support the general economic doctrine of this Government. "When each of the points to be assessed is substantiated, we will establish a position." So, while waiting, they will vote against the claims of an Executive that, they understand, "renounces political centrality and copies the proposals that inspired the creation of Pablo Iglesias's Podemos."
