-How is the extraordinary congress of CC, which is held on Saturday in Lanzarote, being prepared?
-Nothing, the CC congress is going very well. It is good to remember that it will be held next Saturday, October 1, in Arrecife. It will take place throughout the morning at the Arrecife Gran Hotel and, as I say, closing the last details so that we can see each other and develop that congress and continue working for CC in Lanzarote.
-What time does the congressional meeting begin?
-At nine in the morning.
-And when does it close?
-At 2:00 p.m., at two in the afternoon.
-Are many papers being presented?
-The papers that we have already worked on are five: citizen participation, the new challenges of politics for Lanzarote until 2007, social policies, economy and territory, Canarian culture and youth.
-Has there been any other candidacy for the island Presidency of CC?
-No, the candidacies are an internal matter of the party, in which we are working and logically we intend to have a candidacy to present on October 1 at the congress and that logically it be approved with the greatest possible consensus. If possible, unanimously.
-But it seems that so much secrecy makes no sense because everyone knows that Mario Pérez will lead it.
-That's why, well, maybe yes and maybe not. I think that in any case, regardless of the rumors on the street or that the name of the person you just mentioned has already appeared in the press for days, we believe that within a party the steps for a congress should be taken as it should be done. That is, first we talk about papers, amendments, the work of local committees, of the delegates until the moment when the candidacy has to be presented. It is simply a deference on the part of the people who may ultimately have the presidency of the party and of ourselves, in the sense that things are done as they have to be done. It is nothing more than that.
-We imagine that many CC leaders will come to this congress, however it seems that the Minister of Health, María del Mar Julios, will be in Lanzarote this week. Is this so?
-Yes, it seems that the visit of María del Mar Julios, Minister of Health and Vice President of the Government, has already been confirmed and, as we understand it, she is coming mainly to work because I think she has already received the repeated calls that have been made to her by Lanzarote and CC. The health situation on the Island needs to be seen closely, to be worked on again with her, although we all know that she knows the reality because she is a person who works and is always up to date. However, I think there is nothing better than coming and seeing her work.
-The problem is not that she knows the reality but that she solves it.
-Indeed, I reiterate that the reality is harsh. I would say that there are many things to improve but I would not say that it is pathetic. Then logically the fact of knowing the reality and coming with solutions is essential. With this visit we must think positively, in the sense that she will come with enough time to address all the issues. It is already known that visits are sometimes of very few hours where there is hardly any time for anything and in this case she comes with enough time. I think that in addition to coming and seeing the reality, it is necessary to listen to the people, especially those who work in healthcare, who are truly the ones who know the problems in depth and are even the ones who can shed light on solutions because logically those who know and live day by day the problems presented by the health of this particular place. Healthcare presents problems everywhere but each place has its own problems, so I think the visit is very positive.
-On the other hand, what is the current situation regarding the issue of inspectors? Have we made progress on this matter?
-No, we are not paralyzed. We are talking about and demanding that competence of inspection and sanction in terms of tourism and as I have reiterated on occasions, the counselor told us that at the end of September, beginning of October he would tell us about a study they were doing on inspection and that from there decisions would be made. I think that, more than anything because he has practically just taken office and we have to give the counselor a little time, so he has been given that time. Logically, it has been reiterated to him on different occasions, the situation in Lanzarote has been made clear to him regarding the issue of tourism inspection and sanction and well, we are already waiting for decisions to be made regarding this issue.