Ángel Víctor Torres: "Without empathy and compromise, the new financing will never be approved."

The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres (Las Palmas, 1966), says he's feeling great after his previously announced health problem—his schedule reflects this—and meets with La Vanguardia after the conference of presidents. Although outraged by Isabel Díaz Ayuso's attitude, he emphasizes the differences between the Madrid president and the rest of the PP's barons, differences that range from the concept of the State to debt relief.

What political intention did the Prime Minister have in calling this conference of presidents right now?

There was no political motive. There was a desire to comply with the regulations and to make a crucial economic proposal for a constitutional right like housing, which falls under the jurisdiction of the regional government and is one of the issues of greatest concern to Spaniards. The question is, what political motive could there be for others to call a demonstration when they know there's going to be a conference of presidents?

Why in Barcelona? Perhaps to contrast Ayuso's political model with Illa's?

No. It was Salvador Illa who proposed that it be held in Barcelona, ​​and the request was accepted by the regional presidents and the Prime Minister. And it was absolutely a good decision, because I, having participated in many, applaud institutional normality and the fact that it is being held in a region where just a few years ago we were going through a complicated process of dissolution.

Ayuso "The other PP presidents stayed; they don't agree, they don't share it."

What do you think Ayuso intended with her attitude?

He's completely wrong. He won't admit it, but when you act this way and not even the rest of your political organization, the presidents of the other autonomous communities, support you, you need to take a second look.

Do you think the other PP presidents disagree with her?

The fact that they stayed means they don't agree, that they don't share it. What's more, some of them spoke in their own languages ​​for a part of their speech. I chair the language committee, which includes all the autonomous communities and their PP councilors, where there are co-official languages, and they ask us for more space for their languages ​​on television or public radio, for example. And they defend the use of Catalan, Galician... I think it was an absolutely disrespectful attitude that was annoying, and not a little.

Feijóo “He is permanently in a hyperbolic conflict, beyond any limits.”

The People's Party (PP) has taken to the streets for the sixth time, this time to demand elections against a government it calls a "mafia." Are you worried that this narrative will permeate society?

They've failed. And they've chartered buses from all over the country. In Feijóo's umpteenth attempt to stir up tensions with an artificial narrative, he has garnered less support than in his previous calls. His frustration at not governing is hurting him because two things have become evident: first, that the Spain of noise is becoming less and less noisy. And second, that within the PP, there is an internal struggle for leadership between Feijóo and Ayuso. They wanted to break up the government, and they have broken up among themselves.

Is the relationship with the PP recoverable?

If we look at Mr. Feijóo's recent actions and, above all, Mr. Feijóo's anxiety about becoming president no matter what, I would say no. There's a fundamental problem: Mr. Feijóo hasn't accepted that he's not president. He doesn't accept it. He believes that because he won the elections, he should be. I also won them (in the Canary Islands) and I'm not. And I accept it. And he, I think, because of a lack of acceptance of reality, is permanently in a hyperbolic conflict, absolutely beyond any limits, and I think that with each passing day, his frustration grows greater.

Catalan financing Sometimes a little more time is required, but we are in those negotiations.”

Funding was discussed at the conference. When will the government address this issue?

For there to be an agreement on financing, the regions, and of course the political parties, must agree, because that is approved by the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council and ultimately by the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. And they are not. There is no proposal from the Popular Party to update financing, and the proof is that in 2014, Mr. Rajoy had an absolute majority—an absolute majority in many regions—and he did not do so in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, or 2018.

Will there be an agreement between governments on one-off funding for Catalonia this month?

We are working with all the communities and also with the various political organizations on the agreements signed for their implementation. Obviously, this is more of an issue for the Ministry of Finance, but my ministry also participates in it as coordinator. And sometimes a little more time is required, a little more time, but what I can say right now is that we are in those negotiations.

Will this unique financing model be applicable to other autonomous regions if they so wish?

The first thing is to finalize it and see how bilateral relations fit within what is, logically, a Fiscal and Financial Policy Council, which includes all the autonomous communities. That's possible. Therefore, we will continue working, and they are compatible.

How might this affect Vice President Montero's aspirations in Andalusia?

The important thing is that, in the face of singular and multilateral issues, we reach consensual negotiation agreements. That there is empathy and also compromise, because without it, we will never be able to reach an agreement, either bilaterally or multilaterally. What I have to say is that, of course, we will always do so within the scope of the Constitution and with absolute confidence in the work being done by the First Vice President.

Regional finances "The PP councilors will end up signing the debt relief."

Why do you think the PP rejects debt relief for the autonomous regions?

Because they're against the government. It makes no sense, none at all. In fact, I know they're going to sign it. They're eager to sign it. They want debt relief. When you see that, for example, regions like Valencia and Andalusia are among the biggest beneficiaries...

Will the PP approve it in Congress?

It's possible that the PP won't approve it, and at the same time, in a completely incoherent manner, the Finance Ministers will end up signing it. Debt relief is good for the autonomous communities. It's been demanded for a long time, but now we're in a situation where we're not accepting any initiative, as a rule.

Legal cases "There are also cases that affect the PP, I don't think they're here to give lessons."

Changing the subject: there is a whole string of legal cases surrounding the Government, the latest being that of Leire Díez.

It's something the PP is amplifying above all. What we have right now is journalistic information. There are ongoing investigations. But while this is happening, Rajoy's deputy is being sent to prison by the judge. There are also ongoing investigations where they are prosecuting and requesting oral proceedings for people like Isabel Díaz Ayuso's partner and other PP representatives. I don't think they're here to lecture.

There is a regional president from the PSOE who is calling for elections.

A small clarification. I think what Emiliano García Page is asking for is that the general elections not coincide with the regional elections. He's not saying there should be early elections, as the Popular Party is demanding, even in the streets. (Page) understands it could have a negative impact, but that's his opinion. I'm part of an organization, and I owe much more to my political organization, everything, than I can demand of it.

Migration seems to be another issue where an agreement with the PP seems impossible.

Clearly not with the Popular Party. They have fully and clearly, without hesitation, and in an absolutely visible manner, embraced the positions of the far right.

Immigration The PP has now clearly and openly embraced the theses of the far right.

What will happen to immigrant minors?

The guardianship remains with the autonomous communities, although I know the Canary Islands government doesn't agree with that. But on this, as with everything related to migration, I will strive to reach an agreement and steer clear of controversy. I will certainly not always agree with statements being made, and I will certainly make some that some will disagree with, but the goal will always be to reach a solution when we are talking about a situation I know well, which is unfair for children, for any territory, and for a country that must share responsibility. And that is why I deeply regret that a party that has governed like the PP is in the "no" vote.

Is Junts making the government sweat?

The government doesn't have an absolute majority and must achieve absolutely everything through agreements, so any political party is making us sweat, because these aren't easy negotiations. But that's what the voters of our country have decided. We may never see an absolute majority again, so either you have the ability to negotiate or you're out.

Amnesty “We always said it was constitutional and that it was also key to coexistence.”

With the Constitutional Court's decision on the amnesty, will it be easier to approve next year's general budget?

For now, we know the progress of the report. We have yet to see the final ruling. We always said that the amnesty was constitutional, that it was part of the Constitution, and that it was also key and fundamental for the coexistence of our country. And I say this in Barcelona, ​​with a president who has achieved a magnificent electoral result in Catalonia, like Salvador Illa. And I say this at a time when there is no fear of this territory breaking away from the rest of the country, when the pro-independence sentiment has undoubtedly waned. And that should make us rejoice.

When the Constitutional Court approves, will it be time for a meeting between the Prime Minister and Puigdemont?

I don't know when the right time will be, but I'm convinced that we must move toward that normalcy. I respect, as I say, the legislative framework, the justice system, the rulings, and also what happened. And I'm sticking with the Catalonia of today, without a doubt.