The leader of Spain’s Podemos Party defends the coalition government’s efforts to change its predecessor “Mute Method”, Calling this “the biggest blow to civil and political freedom” since the country’s restoration of democracy.
Ione Belarra, minister of social rights in a minority government led by the Socialist Party, said that since the conservative People’s Party (PP) introduced public safety legislation six years ago, it has eroded basic democracy. right.
The so-called muting method-already UN experts criticized, reporter with Human rights groups – Allow the authorities to fine journalists and media organizations who distribute information Unauthorized police pictures, Strictly restrict the location and location of protests, and impose huge financial penalties on offenders.
The People’s Party, the far-right Vox Party, and dozens of police groups all opposed these changes, claiming that it would hinder the police’s ability to work and make things beneficial to criminals.
In an interview with The Guardian, Bellara said that the reforms should have taken place long ago, and that the legislation was deliberately designed by PP to suppress dissent when Spain is suffering from socio-economic impacts. 2008 financial crisis.
“I think this is undoubtedly the biggest blow to civil and political freedom since the transition [to democracy], And I don’t think it’s an exaggerated view,” she said. “It’s also obvious that the BJP carried out this reform during a cruel economic crisis, the purpose of which was to stop people from protesting…such as cutting public services. Kind of measures. “
Belara admitted that the Unidas Podemos Alliance-the coalition’s junior partner-wanted to go further with the amendments reached with the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), but said the group was satisfied with the deal. An area of divergence- Controversial issue The resistance of immigrants and refugees is excluded from reforms.
“Some of the measures in the amendment are good news: you don’t need to notify [spontaneous] For demonstrations, they will reduce fines and impose fines based on people’s different financial abilities, so as not to prevent people from exercising their civil and political rights on economic grounds,” she said.
“People will no longer be punished for taking and sharing images. This really limits China’s freedom of information. Spain And saw that journalists working legally and legally were suppressed. “
However, many ordinary military officers and the Spanish right have turned a deaf ear to the proposed changes. According to the Jupol Union, they will have the police “tie hands of people who have to face violence”.
On Wednesday, the BJP leader Pablo Casado and the police participated in a protest in Madrid. Santiago Abbascal, who led Vox, also participated in the protest. Another demonstration is scheduled for Saturday in central Madrid.
Casado said that if the amendment is passed, he will submit the matter to the Spanish Constitutional Court. “In protecting those who protect us, we won’t endure this kind of anger,” he said. “There is no freedom without security. Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil are our guarantees of freedom. If this legal reform is passed, they will eventually be sold out to criminals.”
At least one police union– ARP (Police reformers)-Support these changes and announce that they will not participate in any protests.
Bellala said that the police have every right to demonstrate, but added that the government-supported reforms are aimed at correcting PP’s mistakes.
“Everyone-and all these organizations and associations-are free to express any opinions they have about the legislation we are introducing,” she said. “Having said that, I think the gag law actually breaks the necessary balance between the rights of the protesters and the rights of the national security services, which obviously also need to be protected.”
Grass, who succeeded Pablo Iglesias As the leader of Podemos, he admitted that he had nervous With socialists, but expressing disagreements and different methods can only be expected in the alliance.
“But I think things are stabilizing and people are cooperating very well,” she said. “People need to understand that if we don’t agree on everything, or Unidas We can What the ministers say is different from that of the PSOE ministers. “
Belara stated that the fact that the government has approved its 2022 budget in Congress “enables us to send a clear message that stability exists and that the government is moving in the direction it chooses.”
