The PP doubles its attack on Ribera during a debate on dana in the European Parliament
MEPs from the People’s Party, supported by Vox which directly denies climate change, took advantage of a debate on dana that took place in Valencia at the opening of the plenary session of the European Chamber to double their attack against the person designated as Vice President of the European Commission, Teresa Ribera. As its leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, did from Madrid, popular Europeans asked Brussels to be replaced “by another candidate”. Socialists responded by accusing popular parties of “politicising” the tragedy to “try to hide their shame” in Valencia.
“Will the competent minister be rewarded? Will she be promoted when there are still unrecovered bodies under the mud? ”Am I the only one who sees the immorality that this represents?”, launched the popular Esteban González-Pons in a very harsh speech in which he was supported by his companion Dolors Montserrat, who even went so far as to accuse Ribera of “lying” during the long evaluation hearing to which she underwent on Tuesday, and where the third Spanish vice president has already received harsh attacks from the PP and Vox.
“I underline the terrible contradiction in which we run into here by dedicating ourselves to mourning the death of over 200 people while, in the next room, we award the vice-presidency of the Commission to the minister who is the competent one in the Spanish government.” in flood”, continued González-Pons, amid protests from the Chamber, before ”imploring” the socialist group “to have the sensitivity to propose another candidate as commissioner”.
The president of the social democratic S&D group, the socialist Iratxe García, fresh from a meeting organized by the president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to try to unblock the appointments of her new team, recalled what she defined as the usual “protocol” of the PP after “every natural disaster” that occurs under his mandate: “They hide the truth, attack experts, deny their mistakes and politicize the tragedy.” In this sense he denounced the “brazenness” of the popular people who during the hearing accused Ribera of being the main person responsible for the catastrophe “with the cowardly aim of hiding their own mistakes”.
Ribera, he added, “represents everything that is repudiated in dealing with a natural disaster: respect for science, commitment to the fight against climate change and defense of public resources”.
In one of the most emotional interventions of the heated debate, the Valencian MEP Vicent Marzà (Compromís), said he felt ”ashamed that the pain, the death of more than 200 citizens, is used in a partisan way” and warned the PP that “he will not be able to get rid of this guilt”, although he also invited the PSOE to “suppose” that it should have intervened earlier.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Climate Policy Expert Dr. Elena Martinez
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. Martinez. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent debate in the European Parliament concerning Teresa Ribera and the recent tragedy linked to the DANA climate event in Valencia. What are your thoughts on the way the People’s Party and Vox have approached this situation?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The situation is indeed troubling. Utilizing a tragedy of this magnitude for political gain, as we’ve seen from the People’s Party and Vox, raises ethical questions. Their attacks on Teresa Ribera during a moment of mourning are deeply concerning, especially when it seems aimed at undermining the credibility of climate policy and the scientific consensus around climate change.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned ethical questions. Can you expand on that? What could be the implications of such politicization of climate tragedies?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Certainly. When political parties choose to capitalize on a disaster for scoring points against a member of the government, they risk shifting the focus away from critical recovery efforts and necessary policy discussions. This not only affects the moral standing of those parties but can also lead to a lack of trust in governmental institutions and the scientists who study climate issues. If parties like Vox deny climate change, then we’re left with a dangerous narrative that suggests tragedies result from other factors, rather than an urgent need for climate action.
Time.news Editor: There was a particularly strong statement from Esteban González-Pons questioning the morality of promoting Ribera in light of the tragedy. How should political figures balance accountability and support during such crises?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Balancing accountability and support is crucial, especially during a crisis marked by loss. Expressing concern over competency is necessary—accountability should always be part of governance. However, it should be pursued in a constructive manner that focuses on learning and improving rather than scapegoating. In situations where lives have been lost, empathy and support for victims and their families should take precedence. Holding leaders accountable is valid, but it should not devolve into personal attacks that obstruct necessary dialogue or collective healing.
Time.news Editor: The Socialists accuse the popular parties of “politicising” the tragedy. How can we ensure that political discussions around climate remain focused on solutions rather than turning into blame games?
Dr. Elena Martinez: This is a fundamental challenge. It requires a commitment from all political sides to prioritize factual discussions based on science and the real needs of the communities affected. Establishing forums for constructive dialogue, where experts can provide insights and solutions, can help depoliticize the conversation. Additionally, promoting climate literacy among the public can empower citizens to demand accountability while also advocating for constructive policies that address climate change and disaster preparedness.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, given the current context, what steps do you believe should be taken to ensure a more effective response to climate tragedies in the future?
Dr. Elena Martinez: First and foremost, investing in resilient infrastructure is vital. We need to develop strategies that not just respond to disasters, but proactively prevent future damage. This includes sustainable urban planning, investing in green technology, and improving early warning systems. Education and public awareness campaigns about climate risks should also be integral to these efforts. On a political level, fostering bipartisan climate action could shift the narrative away from divisiveness, allowing for a shared understanding of the necessity of combating climate change seriously.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Martinez. It’s clear that navigating these challenges requires a delicate approach and a commitment to truth and responsibility, especially in the wake of such tragedies.
Dr. Elena Martinez: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we engage in these discussions thoughtfully and pursue progress together.