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Stoic sacrifice
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GIBRALTAR
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Vol. 5, Issue 113 www.theolivepress.es January 8th - January 21st 2020
The Gibraltar International Chess Festival returns to the Rock see page 20
FINALLY! The nearly man becomes the Main Man, as Pedro Sanchez forms a government in Spain after a turbulent two year wait
SERIOUS: Fabian Picardo GIBRALTAR will ‘make a success’ of tough ‘challenges’ in 2020, the Chief Minister has said. In his New Year’s speech Fabian Picardo mentioned details of a major investment to be announced in the next couple of weeks Picardo said everyone must work together with ‘stoic sacrifice’ by asking for less ‘to secure our children’s future’. He noted the ‘critical importance’ of the MoUs and Tax Treaty which allowed Gibraltar to take part in the transition period. Picardo highlighted the ‘dangers and opportunities’ of leaving the EU, pointing out the agreement of a UK common that was a ‘Brexit Bonus’.
Respect
However, the Chief Minister promised to remain firm in agreements over future relations with the EU after the expected final departure date of the end of 2020. “Any negotiation for Gibraltar for such a deal will be conducted for Gibraltar by a team led by me or by Joseph Garcia,” he said. “Such negotiations must be based on mutual recognition, mutual respect and an understanding that nothing can ever be imposed on Gibraltar. “The Government I lead is willing to walk away if the terms proposed do not favour Gibraltar or respect our red lines.” This would mean Gibraltar could opt out of a deal which gave other countries like Spain a greater say on the future of the overseas territory. After congratulating Pedro Sanchez on forming a coalition government, Picardo will have breathed a huge sigh of relief he would not be up against a more right-wing Spain.
RELIEVED: Pedro Sanchez after the vote PEDRO Sanchez has become Spain's official prime minister after winning a second vote of confidence yesterday. The PSOE leader will govern the country for the next four years, after an agonizing two-year wait and three general elections. Acting prime minister Sanchez, 47, from Madrid, was forced to recall MPs to sit for the first time over the weekend to confirm his victory. It was his second attempt at an investiture vote since the PSOE won the most seats in December's general election, but failed to win an overall majority. The vote saw MPs in Spain's congress vote either 'yes' or 'no' to Sanchez's proposed left-wing coalition government, propped up by Pablo Iglesias's Podemos party and a host of other parties. After a heated afternoon session, he won a knifeedge victory of 167 votes against 165, while 18 MPs, the majority from Catalunya, abstained. It means Sanchez will preside over the first coalition government in Spain since 1977 after the death of dictator Franco. The PSOE is propped up by MPs from Unidos Podemos, PNV, Más País, Compromís, Galego
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OVERWHELMED: Podemos’ Pablo Iglesias in tears after the coalition victory Nationalist Block, Teruel Existe and Nueva Canarias. It was no surprise who voted against the leftwing coalition, with 165 MPs from the Partido Popular, Vox, Ciudadanos, Junts per Catalunya, Navarra Suma and others saying 'no'. The left erupted into applause, with some shedding tears, when it was revealed that Sanchez had clinched the vote. Representatives screamed 'si, se puede!' while Sanchez hugged Iglesias, who was photographed in tears. Spain’s most recent election was the fourth in as many years as the country failed to form a cohesive government. “It’s great news for Spain,” leading expat Hispanist, Sir Ian Gibson told the Olive Press. “There are going to be lots of compromises, but also solutions.” He added: “Sanchez is an amazing man and it’s remarkable to think he stuck it out after being kicked out of his own party and then came fighting back. “He has the qualities of a true statesman and speaks very well. He will be a great asset for Europe.” Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo also sent a letter of congratulation to Sanchez on being re-elected, after ‘a tortuous and fractious debate’.
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In his letter, he referred to the two men’s shared desire to look beyond ‘the eternal issue’ of sovereignty and he extended the hand of friendship on behalf of the people of Gibraltar. He also offered his support for the promotion of ‘policies based on the principle of dialogue, understanding and co-operation between our respective people’. Key to Sanchez’s victory was the abstention of the pro-independence Catalan Republican Left party (ERC), which agreed to sit out the vote after Sanchez vowed to find a solution to the political conflict that has dogged Spain since Catalunya’s separatist regional government tried to secede in 2017.
Terrorists
The government’s opponents argue Sanchez’ ‘Frankenstein government’ will be too beholden to Catalan separatists and pose a threat to Spain’s national unity. While Sanchez appealed for calm, and called on MPs to overcome the ‘atmosphere of irritation’, his adversaries went on the offensive. PP leader Pablo Casado, accused him of being an ‘extremist’ who had left the country’s future in the hands of ‘terrorists and coup-mongers’. In a tweet sent after the vote, Sanchez wrote: “Spain is entering a time for defending dialogue and useful politics. A government for all people that restores co-existence and fights for social justice. Today is the dawn of a time of moderation, progress and hope.” new coalition is expected to See page 23 Spain’s roll out a policy of raising income tax for people in Spain who earn more than €130,000.
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