Former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero stated this Wednesday that he has "very good confidence in the possibilities of the Socialist Party of the Canary Islands." He did so in an appearance before the media in which he was accompanied by María Dolores Corujo, head of the party's list to Parliament for Lanzarote, whom he defined as "a great companion" and "a great worker." He also referred to the new political formations, emphasizing that "the trajectory counts" and, specifically, to Podemos. "The PSOE is stronger," he said about their situation in the Canary Islands.
Zapatero, who traveled to the island to "support the campaign of the PSOE candidates in Lanzarote and the Canary Islands" and participated this Tuesday in a party rally in the Civic Center of Arrecife, highlighted the work of the Canary socialists. "I think I can say that the PSOE has worked, has taken care, has worried, has invested, has defended, and has been close to the Canary Islands as the party that has done the most. I don't want to say that it is the one that has done the most, but I think I can say that it is like the party that has done the most," he said.
"The trajectory counts"
The president has referred to various topics, such as what the political configuration of the Community and the City Council of Madrid will be, for which he predicts a "political change," or about the difficulties that the socialists are experiencing in Andalusia to form a government. But if one allusion has been recurrent during his intervention, it has been the reference to the "new parties."
"The novelty is good, but the important thing is the content. The trajectory counts," he said. "We make our trajectory an asset, with our successes and with our mistakes," he said, referring to the Socialist Party.
The former president then went a little further and, anticipating it as a "very personal opinion," assured that "as the new parties are a little less new, we also see flaws." "We see statements that I sincerely believe are not correct, in the last few hours we have seen some of them," he added, although without pronouncing exactly on who or what words in particular he was referring to. He did allude specifically to Podemos later, stating that he has "understood" that the party "supported the tax amnesty of the Greek government." "This may be a good testimony that with little time, in effect, governing sometimes means what it means," he added.
The PSOE, "stronger" than Podemos
Asked precisely about the role of Podemos in the Canary Islands and to what extent it could be a political rival for the socialists, Rodríguez Zapatero assured with conviction that "the PSOE is stronger." "I sincerely believe it," he added.
The former president added that the PSOE "has the capacity to open dialogue with all progressive voters" and pointed out that "logically, winning always involves an effort and you have to deserve it."
However, the former president wanted to make it clear that he will not join the warnings of some political leaders about Podemos. "But I will not be one of those who warns of any fear for what citizens vote. No, no; because I believe that is in the laws of democracy and is in the good use, in the good democratic attitude. We have to show that we are better. We have to demonstrate it, convince, feel it, which is so important, and, of course, respect. The greatness of the democratic debate is that you can disagree and respect, respect and deliberate." Rodríguez Zapatero added in this regard that "what is not good for democracy is disqualification, insult."
Vacation in Lanzarote
The socialist leader has also confirmed that, once again, he will spend his holidays in Lanzarote, an island that he "visits frequently." "I am very happy to be in Lanzarote," he admitted, to then praise the island and its people, whom he considers "very kind and very hospitable."
Rodríguez Zapatero has announced that he will return to the island in August and that he and his family have already rented the house where they will stay. "I am happy [to spend the holidays on the island] because every time I have come I have rested, I have enjoyed this island that is so well cared for. I always say that it is what I have learned from Lanzarote: how things are taken care of and how an island with these temptations has managed to have a reasonable order and a sustainable development that must be taken care of."
