Ignacio Garriga, the secretary general of Vox, criticised the Popular Party (PP) on Friday for its differing interpretations of 'national priority' regarding access to public services. Speaking in Barcelona, Garriga highlighted the contrast between agreements made with Vox in Extremadura and Aragon, and the views of PP regional presidents in Madrid and Andalusia, as well as national leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo.
"It is not new because we are used to it, just as they can talk about one language policy in Galicia and another in Catalonia, or water policy depending on whether it is in Aragon or Murcia," Garriga said in an interview with 'La2Cat' and Ràdio 4. He added that the most concerning aspect for Vox is the need to negotiate with the PP to govern Spain.
Garriga defended the concept of 'national priority' as a "reasonable" debate. He acknowledged that while the measure might face legal challenges, regulatory changes could be implemented. He cited the points system for school enrolment in public schools as an example.
Legality of National Priority
When asked about Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the PP president of the Community of Madrid, calling the idea illegal, Garriga insisted it is within legal bounds. "We do not propose anything in terms of exclusivity, but rather prioritising Spaniards," he stated.
Regarding comments by Vox spokesperson in the Catalan Parliament, Joan Garriga, who claimed a Spaniard is someone born to Spanish parents, Ignacio Garriga clarified that this is "an error in terms of current legislation." He maintained that a Spaniard is anyone born in the country or who has acquired nationality.
He expressed regret that "for too long, Spanish nationality has been given away" and called for a debate to rethink migration policy. This comes at a time when the government has carried out an extraordinary regularisation of migrants. Garriga argued that migration policies over recent decades have strained public services and labelled the extraordinary regularisation as "the greatest act of betrayal to the Spanish people."
Deportation and Jordi Pujol Case
Asked if a Vox government would lead to scenes similar to those of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations, Garriga affirmed that all irregular migrants would be deported. "We are going to do it with great care, but at the same time with great forcefulness," he said.
On the National Court's decision to summon former Catalan president Jordi Pujol, despite medical reports confirming his deteriorating health, Garriga stated that Pujol "must pay for everything he has done." He added that a method must be found for Pujol to testify, whether in person or not.
Regarding the PP and Vox agreement to remove Catalan as a priority in Aragon, Garriga commented that public funds should improve services, "not for ideological politics."
Internal Party Matters and National Pride
Vox's secretary general rejected calls for an extraordinary congress from former and dissident members, including Iván Espinosa de los Monteros and Javier Ortega Smith. He asserted that the recent regional election results are the strongest endorsement of Vox's ideas.
When questioned about his feelings regarding chants of 'Muslim, whoever doesn't jump' during a Spain versus Egypt football match on 31 March in Cornellà-El Prat, Barcelona, Garriga expressed "national pride."
Looking ahead, the ongoing debate over 'national priority' and migration policy is expected to remain a central theme in Spanish politics. Vox continues to push for stricter immigration controls and a re-evaluation of national identity, while the PP faces the challenge of balancing its alliances with Vox against broader public and legal opinion.
