The party leader highlighted measures introduced by Pedro Sánchez’s government despite governing as a minority and facing opposition from the PP and Vox. Among the advances she cited were the labor reform, which has helped employment surpass 22.5 million people; the increase in the minimum wage to more than 1,200 euros; the extension of birth and childcare leave to 19 weeks; and the revaluation of pensions, benefiting around 300,000 people in Aragon.
Alegría warned that these measures could be at risk if a PP and Vox government comes to power. In her view, if the progressive government has achieved these advances with a parliamentary minority, greater support at the ballot box would make it possible to expand rights and consolidate social progress. “If we have been capable of doing all this,” she said, before asking what a new progressive government with greater parliamentary support could achieve.
ALEGRÍA QUESTIONS FEIJÓO’S LEADERSHIP
The secretary-general of PSOE Aragón also questioned Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s ability to govern Spain and criticized what she considers a lack of knowledge of fundamental issues facing the country. “If he is unable to sit through a half-hour journalistic interview, how is he going to represent and defend our country at an international summit?” she asked.
The presentation of the Socialist slate for Zaragoza was held beside the Alma del Ebro, at the Expo grounds. The secretary-general of PSOE Zaragoza, Teresa Ladrero, defended the record and commitment of those on the list. “We are the best team to defend Zaragoza and Aragon because the candidates are women and men with an impeccable record and a strong commitment to the PSOE,” she said.
Fernando Beltrán, the lead candidate for Congress in Zaragoza, said he was enthusiastic about the challenge of renewing a progressive government that protects social advances and looks after people. The candidate argued that the campaign should be used to explain the results of Socialist government in Aragon and the province.
BELTRÁN HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC GROWTH UNDER SÁNCHEZ
“We are going to explain loudly and clearly how well Pedro Sánchez’s governments have served Aragon and Zaragoza province. The results are overwhelming, both in terms of economic growth and the social safety net that has left no one behind,” Beltrán said.
The candidate highlighted the province’s receipt of a historic multimillion-euro investment from the central government and European funds, which Jorge Azcón opposed, he recalled. These investments have helped promote projects such as Stellantis’ gigafactory and improve transport links.
Beltrán also cited increased scholarships, educational places for children aged zero to three, pensions and sustained growth in quality employment. “Let’s set the noise aside. We have more than solid arguments and facts to convince people that supporting the PSOE is very worthwhile and to secure a Spanish government led by Pedro Sánchez that continues with these policies, which have served Aragon so well,” he said.
For his part, Miguel Dalmau, the PSOE’s lead Senate candidate for Zaragoza, stressed the need to secure a sufficient majority in the general election “to continue advancing the model of country we want to keep building.”
Dalmau criticized what he sees as the PP’s only proposal: “to repeal ‘Sanchismo’ and bring VOX into government in order to roll back scholarships, prevent the minimum wage from rising or tamper with pensions.” He also questioned the conservatives’ intention to “open unnecessary debates on rights that have already been consolidated,” such as euthanasia and abortion.
