Feijóo asks for the vote of anger and hope for the PP in the year of the Government of change

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, president of Spain's Popular Party (PP), has called on voters to cast their ballots with "anger and hope" during what he described as "the year of the change government," as he launched his political campaign ahead of upcoming local and general elections. The speech took place at the Carballeira de Cotobade in Pontevedra, a symbolic location chosen for its traditional significance. Feijóo used the occasion to criticize the current government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, particularly over the ongoing crisis in Ceuta, and outlined three immediate commitments aimed at addressing the situation. The first commitment involves organizing a mass demonstration scheduled for September 2, which will take place in all municipal squares across Spain, in coordination with the Federation of Local Entities of Spain (FEMP). This event aims to emphasize that Ceuta is an integral part of Spain, just as the town of San Xusto is. Feijóo confirmed he would attend the gathering in Ceuta at 8 PM that day. His second commitment centers around summoning Esperanza Casteleiro, director of the National Intelligence Center, to appear before the Senate, where the PP holds an absolute majority, to "tell the truth." The third step involves the PP's participation in an existing case opened by the National Court, ensuring those responsible for neglecting Ceuta face legal consequences. Feijóo framed this new political season as "the time for change in the government so that Spain functions properly." Local officials, including Mayor Jorge Cubela, President of the Provincial Council Luis López, and President of the Galician Government Alfonso Rueda, emphasized the cooperation with recent weather conditions to facilitate the event. They predicted that Feijóo would be the central figure in the region next year, possibly as Spain’s president. During his extended address, Feijóo divided his message into two main parts: one focused on Ceuta and the other on broader election strategies. In both cases, he blamed Sánchez and his government for inaction. He expressed confidence that the PP would win again in the 2027 general elections, this time with enough strength to prevent those who have lost power from governing again. He acknowledged that the current period was distinct and special, emphasizing that the PP was ready to receive votes driven by collective hope for political change in Spain. Regarding Ceuta, Feijóo reiterated messages previously conveyed by PP leaders since the crisis began. These messages were delivered forcefully during recent appearances in Congress, pending a final decision by Sánchez in a dedicated session next week. Feijóo attributed the crisis to Sánchez's "arrogance and indifference," citing past issues such as wildfires, medical strikes, inflation, drought, power outages, and poor infrastructure of trains and highways. Feijóo built his initial campaign speech on the premise that the events in Ceuta highlighted the collapse of Sánchez's government and demonstrated how different his leadership could be. He praised the work of security forces, the military, healthcare workers, and the mayor of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, attributing these efforts to the PP. However, he did not condemn or mention the recent incidents of violence nor question Morocco's role in the conflict. Feijóo and the PP leadership have pledged to join demonstrations planned for September 2, aimed at defending national borders. These gatherings are intended to show solidarity with Ceuta and reinforce the PP's stance against perceived governmental negligence. The upcoming events mark a pivotal moment in the political landscape, setting the stage for intensified campaigning and public engagement in the months leading up to the elections.