Changing Worlds

[Zak]

​

---

The Congress of Deputies had an eerie feeling - only a handful of members had turned up due to the recent Madrid bombings which meant that politicians were restricted to working from home apart from the party leaders who had been invited to attend Congress. It was also the first time that the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party had been able to address Parliament on the mission of the new government and the Prime Minister had devoted the responsibility of delivering a statement and take questions to Nadia Calviño who had been given the role of Leader of the Socialist Group in the Congress of Deputies alongside her Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs portfolios.

"Members, I want to thank you for attending at such unprecedented times. We would usually have a chamber full of members right now but unfortunately Spain has been the victim of a terrible chemical weapons attack. We have been working day and night and I want to put my thanks out to those hard working doctors, nurses, paramedics and firefighters for protecting and helping everyone that has fallen victim to such a terrible attack. I have been working around the clock with fellow government Ministers to bring those responsible to justice. It is the mission of this government to make life better for every single Spaniard. The People's Party has made life miserable for all. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party has pledged to tackle inequality and deliver real change for all.

We are also looking to invest in our health services, Spain has one of the best healthcare systems in world and this is something we should be proud of. The People's Party slashed the healthcare budget but its now time we cancel out the policies set out by the People's Party and bring equality back to everyone in this country, regardless of your circumstances, we are one country and one country for all.

We are also seeking to nationalise many companies across our tenure to invest in them. Companies like Iberia will be nationalise and a fleet overhaul will occur and we will welcome investment from the entire world. Much more about nationalisation will be coming from a statement from the Minister of Industry in a couple of weeks time."

Nadia Calviño took her seat and took a sip of water as she allows the President of the Congress of Deputies to introduce the next topic - this was questions from each of the party leaders and their spokespersons.

 

[GingeOrCringe]

Gabriel Rufián of the Republican Left Party of Catalonia rose to address the chamber. “Fellow representatives,” he nodded. “Before I present my questions to the honorable Prime Minister, I would like to extend my condolences to the men, women, and children impacted by the recent terrorist attacks. I would also like to extend my thanks to the first responders working tirelessly to assist the innocent victims of this senseless act of violence.” He paused, as if he were about to say something more, but thought better of it.

“I would also like to offer my congratulations to all of our new female cabinet leaders. The Republican Left of Catalonia understand the importance of representation in government. That is why I would like to inquire as to how the Sánchez administration plans to represent Catalonia and Catalonians?” Rufián scanned the rest of the chamber as he spoke. With so many members of congress absent, his voice seemed to echo around the large room. “You say you will make life better for every single Spaniard, and I would like to know if you are talking about ethnic-Spaniards, or everyone living within the Spanish state--if the people who democratically put you in power will have their grievances heard?”

“I have a second question regarding the increased healthcare budget. The ERC supports citizens’ rights to healthcare. However, we would like to know where you plan to acquire the funding for this expansion and how you will ensure fair distribution. After years of government corruption and theft, how does the new administration plan to win back the people’s trust?”



@Zak

 

[Zak]

​

---

Nadia Calviño shuffled her papers as she continued to listen to the questions being set out by Gabriel Rufián of the Republican Left Party of Catalonia. The success of the new government was going to need support from the regional parties to have a chance of passing any new policies due to the minority government in power with only 85 seats in the Congress out of a total of 350. After being signalled by the President of the Congress of Deputies, she stood up and lifted her microphone from the desk as she spoke.

"Mr. Rufián, it has been the aim of this new government to represent everyone. Women remain a minority in this parliament across all parties but it is our party who has the most female members in parliament which has allowed Prime Minister Sánchez to operate a female-majority cabinet which is a first in the world - fifteen females and ten men operate across the many government departments. Three of our top politicians come from LGBT backgrounds. People shouldn't be judged on their gender or sexuality, they should be judged on the work that they do and that is why Prime Minister Sánchez is bringing a diverse cabinet from different backgrounds.

Everyone in the Kingdom of Spain will feel benefits from the new Socialist government, whether you come from Andalusia, the Basque Country, Catalonia or from the Canary Islands - we are bringing national projects to you that will benefit you for years to come. Residents of Catalonia will have access to the Madrid–Barcelona high-speed rail line which will connect the capital city with one of Spain's most important cities as Barcelona is a major commercial hub for Spain. Barcelona is also an important tourist hotspot for many people across the country.

As I deal with the tax budget, I will be reviewing the budget which was previously assigned by the People's Party and budgets for each department will be changing accordingly to their importance. We are looking to bring down our defence budget but not too much that our armed forces will struggle. We're also looking to raise the budget for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Vocational Training so that all people across the country can benefit from a good healthcare system as well as a good education and vocational training system to benefit our country as a whole. A provisional budget change will be brought to Parliament before amendments and voting can take place."

Nadia Calviño took her seat after speaking, she shuffled her papers before taking a sip of her water. The President of the Congress of Deputies signalled for Gabriel Rufián of the Republican Left Party of Catalonia to answer to the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Socialist Group in the Congress of Deputies.

@GingeOrCringe

 

[GingeOrCringe]

“I agree with your statement that people should be judged on their work—not on their gender or sexuality.” Nodded Rufián, standing once again. “Unfortunately, members of dominant groups do not always recognize the issues marginalized peoples face, and this impedes their ability to represent those marginalized groups. I’m sure that, as a woman, this is something you know well. Catalonians, like women, are also a marginalized group. That is entirely my point. It is difficult for non-Catalonians to fairly represent Catalonians.

“We yearn to be heard, but in the past our grievances fell on deaf ears. In those cases where Catalonians were heard, our objections and petitions were met with violence from the Franco dictatorship. Now, Sáchez is no Franco. The Socialist Workers Party are not goons and yes-men…” He studied the empty seats in the chamber, taking a mental count of the different parties with representatives present. “And yet, I’m beginning to wonder if we will continue to go unheard,” He sighed.

“Catalonia provided the much needed support to win this most recent election. Catalonia provides massive monetary contributions every tax season. We are as vital to Spain as a heart or brain is to a human body, and yet you leave our questions unaddressed, just as administrations from Franco to the present have done.

“I ask again: how will the new administration ensure Catalonia is fairly represented when we are outnumbered in government? You say Catalonia and everyone in the Kingdom of Spain will benefit from the Socialist Workers government, but how do you know what is beneficial for us? Catalonia is its own distinctive region with its own distinctive needs.” He began unbuttoning his dress shirt to reveal a StarWars rebels t-shirt underneath. “Catalonia has been treated with this paternalism from one government to the next. Will we be allowed to democratically decide for ourselves if this is something we wish to continue?”

He nodded to signal the end of his speech and waited for Nadia Calviño to speak, but Rufián did not sit down.