Professor of Administrative Law by the Open University in the city of Malaga. It was the mayoral candidate in 2008 which left Manchester United won two seats. Declared Catholic and communist. We talked in this interview about the upcoming election and the problems of the Left in our country.
usually always listen to the political class doing a critique of the opposing parties, so I ask this time a self-criticism. What has your party done wrong? Regardless of the unfair electoral law at the national level, IU has lost many votes. And in Manchester there was also a noticeable loss of votes. In the elections of 95 IU came to reach 9 councilors and currently only has two.
First, I do not like the term political class do not like. Among other things because we are not equal, I do not consider myself as someone from the PSOE and the PP. I think I'm also a very unique political citizenship as well because no cost. I have not got a salary from the City of Manchester, I live for my work in college and have waived any compensation for city council.
On the question of why we dropped, I do not think it's a problem if we have arguments, but it is clear that we have not reached much of the population. And in my opinion many times because we have to do identity as both a message to say what we should defend to 99.9% of the population. I am a Communist, but no need to be with the sickle and hammer on the forehead so that my core values \u200b\u200bsuch as equality, brotherhood, a society without ... classes are there.
We define short-, medium and long term and get to know people. We should not bask in our identity and if people do see that our approach is suitable to the population. Or we believe that in Spain there are many capitalists to all vote for the PP. It is clear that some sectors of the working class vote for the PP and PSOE but also vote to labor and economic policies are consistent with the PP. Who is failing? Clearly we are failing us as having some approaches that objectively would be receptive to the population because we have failed to reach be their inability or lack of organization.
And sometimes because there are sectors of the PC UI and seems to believe that the goal is the constant reaffirmation and defined in an exclusive circle of impurity. And the tradition of the left and communism has never been that and if more people arrive, trying to establish partnerships. I have very clear that our city has managed to break this idea in these four years and we now have a very high level of knowledge among the people and I know people who did not vote had been raised it is considering IU. And we go out there.
Nationally, for many, the idea of \u200b\u200bUI appears to be somewhat outdated
is much easier, they say "you do not go nowhere." When you say that, you have to ask Why? And do not know how to get there. But you have to cause the citizen to ask that question but for now it does.
And that our work is important. Do we have to pound the city with slogans or reflection? I prefer to do with the latter and show that there are holdings of class and see that this is what Marx said. In addition to show that the current crisis is caused by a financial economy and the fact of the brutal speculation to financial products ... No problems to argue our idea, the problem is to transmit. And the experience of Manchester now I think it's positive because we are getting to reach people who until now had not made it.
What role do the media? It seems that there are only Socialist Party and Popular Party?
is true that we give little space, but we can not spend all day crying about it. The media, except the public, respond to business interests. It is a reality and will be even when under the Constitution and the role of the media should be the role of information. But as of today it is clear that business interests are very strong and we obviously do not respond to any of those interests.
Our approaches do not match those interests. Does that mean you have to demonize the press? No. We should be working to do a job that makes it to the media and then promote alternative communications. I say I will not take us to boycott the newspapers and TV does not get us out.
With almost five million unemployed in Spain barely heard protests, which leads us to believe in the existence of a lot of undercover work. It's something we very surprised especially if the statistics say there are a million families where no member is working. Yet despite these data, the surveys also say that the results will be in line
I hope that there is a change. Polls are always important indicators, we should not reject, but not sanctified. There have been surveys that have failed miserably. I am confident that we can overturn Málaga ...
But why in spite of all that is happening now in Spain, nothing happens here, no one protest?
unemployment exists. And the people who are working within the economy also is unemployed because he is in precarious conditions in terms of employment contract, no price ... The economy is an evil to be combated forcefully. The problem is that the Labour Inspectorate employs laughable. And that's not what we say, they say the same tax inspectors. If increased controls over the economy would go far to light.
As to what questions me why did not explode? (The interview was conducted before the move 15 M) The underground economy, family solidarity ... it is a support system that makes it still has not broken out, but I do not rule out that to continue well come a time when the citizenship of a shoe. We have to prove by all means that all this has a political translation. Sometimes the crisis as brutal as the current, instead of going to the left have gone in another direction.
There is a curious case of protest as the Icelandic What do you think the refusal of citizenship to return to the bank debt?
I think it's an example of civic dignity. Here above, the executioners of the crisis are the ones to be served by public money. The fact that the Bank, the greatest beneficiary of the entire boom property and all the speculation, it has to be rescued with public money, I find it regrettable. That the citizens have given an example of dignity.
two weeks ago Zapatero met with the forty richest companies in Spain who asked the president to continue with its reform and gave congratulations to the subject. Is not it a bit shocking that a supposedly left-wing government receives the applause of the most powerful in Spain? Accentuate
assumptions. I tell you as a professor of labor law and therefore as a purely academic data, the worst labor reforms has made the PSOE. 1994 reforms and 2010 have been the worst reforms that have shaped a government supposedly leftist and socialist. I think the drama of the PSOE is that ends up making the policies of PP to the PP when it arrives after you have it all ready. There if they want to have that historical baggage. History teaches us that the Social Democrats have played that role in places like Germany and I think that is not the role of the Left
The issue of corruption is something that generates a lot of apathy towards politicians. If your review is the involvement of First Deputy Mayor of Sevilla involved in the case of irregular or EREs for Manilva, where it has apparently been irregular placement in City Hall.
The best response to corruption is the controls. If you have strong internal and external controls just about it. Now, about the examples you say I think we should be fair. Seville is not talking about a topic of corruption, is talking about prosecution. The law allows for competition and auction and opted for a contest and the judge understood that this harms the interests of the municipality, but that's not a case of corruption. There has been no bribery, malfeasance or ... or anything.
And in Manilva personal irregular situations are being dragged on for years. Without prejudice to administrative irregularities that may exist with the data I have does not infer that there may be criminal irregularities. So it would be unfair to say that is the same as the case Gürtel that what you tell me.
Focusing on our city, what are your expectations for IU in Malaga for the forthcoming municipal elections?
This is fiction politics because we have no money to do surveys. I, the impression I have after the whole Malaga kick, after meeting with all social sectors, with neighborhood associations, cultturale, s professional, academic ... I think IU is now best known in Manchester. And experience tells us that when people are known values \u200b\u200bthe work and make proposals.
I hope a good result. Upload now is a good result. But do not dismiss the results of 95 repeat, knowing that it is obviously very difficult, but there is a precedent that we do see your choice.
If the Popular Party of Manchester did not get an absolute majority, would you consider forming a government with María Gámez? "Even for Maria Gamez was mayor?
I hope that Mary is the Deputy Mayor Gámez and I'm the mayor. However, it plays right now is not about that. Any mention of the covenants can mobilize people. What is true is that if we depended on, so the 95 will not happen again again (in the 1995 elections IU reached 9 seats, 7 of the PSOE and the PP 15). On the other hand, any agreement would require an agreement with dignity and power sharing. But I prefer to focus on what we have now and what else there will be time to talk.
This question I have done many times. But nevertheless, could sum up briefly without sounding program to political discourse?
A Manchester for all with real equality. And this requires housing, employment, integration plan and social services. In Malaga there is poverty. There are people who did a year ago was going through her head that would be in a dumpster looking for food. Malaga Malaga has to be one of all, which also prioritize equipment for green areas, mobility and environment that allows us to preserve this city for future generations.
And, of course, a Malaga to enjoy with culture, a culture of truth and not merely focusing on media festivals. And it reaches every neighborhood and with a marked belligerence in defense of the historical (the Alcazaba, Convent of St. Andrew, Trinidad ...) but has been preserved.
cultural level, however, it appears that the opening of the Thyssen hides many cultural gaps in our city.
However, events of resignations that picture you mention is already beginning to deteriorate. Thyssen's work has led to 31 million euros, 6 billion cost overrun is, there are irregularities in hiring staff and Yl ... I think the project of the mayor with the Thyssen is a failure, although the media at the mayor has been sold as a success. As neither is the Gems Museum has failed. Right now the status of historic heritage Malaga is regrettable.
The main points discussed in the program can capture very well the General Plan. A city more sustainable, more livable, more livable ... if they reach the Mayor, the General Plan be reformed?
course. The general plan would not be ours. There would be changes to ensure that more sustainable Malaga and Malaga equipment and not speculative and the present.
For the historical center, it is clear the loss of heritage. Many buildings have been demolished, leaving only the facade ... What would you do? First
comply with the law requiring that any building should be kept in sanitary conditions and public adornment. Look at the Convento de San Andres, where Torrijos spent the last hours before his execution, or the Convent of the Trinity, or the same Fortress ... historical heritage must be preserved under the law and it is not done in Malaga. At this point, it seems to apply the law and is revolutionary. The problem is that the failures are so widespread that law enforcement has become an exception.
In this sense of law enforcement, you Jesus Gil de Marbella threw it gave me
forced holiday. When I took my exams I went to Marbella. I had the misfortune that year won the legal reports Gil and I did not liked. I lasted a week and had six months of forced holiday.
And how is it possible that in Marbella, where everyone knew what was going on, no light out before the various corruption schemes
Because there was a lot of complicity. If the controls had worked as of Marbella would not have lasted six months, but the controls did not work. Marbella was very complicated, and some cowardice. At that time, in the year 91, Gil was placed face on the margins. The most common was reírle jokes and jokes.
however, but now something similar is happening. In Valencia, for example, statistics show that the PP will retain his absolute majority of votes exceeding the number of previous elections. And nearby, in Alhaurín el Grande, is the same.
These cases are in line with those of Marbella, but that was something very serious. If my ministry would have supported me in my duties of monitoring the lawfulness had been a legal response, the problem is that he left open field to do whatever he wanted. The best definition Marbella is that it was a failure of the rule of law.
But why is it possible that tolerance to corruption of Mr. Gil? Cowardice
one side. And second, there were many people who saw many benefits.
Being Catholic, how can you reconcile membership in the communist party and also be a practicing Catholic on issues such as abortion law, divorce Express ...?
I am Catholic, but no papist. Catholic it does not mean that strictly follow all the principles of the Church. The voluntary interruption of abortion in legal terms is not a crime. I would like the official Church was more forceful with the death penalty. And I have very clear that divorce is a step in the democratic and civilized society and that there is an article of faith that establishes the impossibility of dissolution of marriage.
not waive, nor ashamed of being Catholic, like I've never been a communist. And indeed, there is a long tradition of Christian-communism and the Communist Party historically has fought many Catholics and even priests. The Christian message of love of neighbor I think few politicians can embody ideals as well as communism.
But being Catholic is supposed to accept the primacy of Rome and the Magisterium of the Pope
be Catholic if we are to theological and canon law means that you identify with a religious belief, but obviously did not go through to accept each and every one of the statements, because there are some speeches of the Pope who are intellectually and socially far removed from reality. I certainly do not identify with the more radical pronouncements of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. I hope not excommunicate me for that. In any case there would be people who deserve to be excommunicated long before me.
Would
among Catholics lack a grassroots movement to modernize the Church and bring it?
I think that has always existed. The base Christian community has a great tradition in our country. For example the HOAC are integrated in a large percentage of supporters, and even militant of the Izquierda Unida.
However, at least in Spain, the image given the Church through the media is dominated by the right or that's my feeling.
First you have to keep in mind that an institution with more than 2000 years is a complex institution-fed. Must also say that the official church in our country has to be commended pronouncements such as opposition to the church. It is also true that the bishops' conference has said things such as opposition to condoms, divorce, abortion ... are things I do not subscribe. Moreover, historically it is shown that such speech is adapted over time to reality with great skill.
Recently his party harshly criticized the government's involvement in the war in Libya. Where do you position? How could they have acted in Libya? In 1936 the English Republican government was left to his sort by Britain and France.
I of the Second English Republic was the chronicle of an announced abandonment. We speak of a rebel army against a legally democratic government. That government can not compare the Qaddafi scoundrel.
But we are referring to Spain was internationally isolated and this victory to the Nationalist side. But back to the current case of Libya, which had been the right solution?
The solution is a humanitarian intervention by the United Nations to guarantee the human rights of the population. Is that guaranteed by a bombing? No. Is NATO intervened for humanitarian reasons or economic reasons there? As for Iraq have so close in time, came to the conclusion that there is to control its economic and geo-strategic rather than search and respect for human rights. Because if it were a human rights issue should also intervene in Saudi Arabia and other countries where human rights are respected. Never such intervention has been raised with the slaughter of the Saharawi or Palestine.
In the latter case we have UN resolutions against Israel and yet nothing happens. Also I have to remember that when Mr Gaddafi came to Spain the only political group which refused to meet him was Izquierda Unida. Because now that both criticize Gaddafi, it should be noted that both the PSOE and the PP Gaddafi received with open arms. What I have clear is that the Libyan population is not having to suffer the consequences of a war for economic and geostrategic reasons.
Talk about communism. A lot of people away from communism you see it as something past. For you, what is to be communist today?
communist I became 13 years and became a communist because of my Christian convictions. Keep Christian beliefs and remain communist. Know the old phrase, "who at 18 is not a communist is that it has heart and who at 40 is that it still has no head." I've already passed 40 and still defend a classless society, a society where we get the economic and social improvements for the fullness of human rights, that's for me to communism. For me, communism is a dictatorship of the proletariat.
The examples we have had worldwide have finished deforming the communist idea of \u200b\u200bMarx and Engels. But though the speech IU continues to defend regimes like Cuba where rights are not respected
human experiences regimes have self-identified as Communists, especially in the satellite countries of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union itself have been unhappy experiences. Because based on a noble ideal as communism came to an unsustainable strain Stalinism. It is clear that as of today, I as a communist I do not totally identify with any of the historical experiences that have occurred.
Perhaps the project that if it can feel more identified Allende's socialism, a democratic and socialist. Or as the current experiences of Venezuela, a democratic system and deep although they say there is no dictatorship. Chaves may be more or less striking, but objectively it is a system of guarantees of democratic rights. Going back to those countries classified as self-communist I do not feel identified with them. That does not mean that once had meant some progress, for example social, these are irrefutable historical data. Like China where they managed to escape from a medieval to a different situation, but now not to shoot rockets.
"The case of Cuba? I have no complex about it. I have very clear that Cuba has to go to a democratic system. Have to deepen democracy because it is now clear that it is not. But why do not identify with the deep impasse in the United States. That is, the lack of democracy in Cuba do not remove that also criticized the North American block.
In line with what you are saying, do not you think that communism should return to its roots? Marx's ideas remain valid operating. But operating costs that denouncing Marx slope to reach the people
Cuesta reach the people because today the reading levels at the University are very low levels. Something that has nothing to do with the level of politicization that occurred in our country makes 40 years where it was strange not to find any university that does not take the Pulitzer or any book of Marxist theory. It is clear that there was a political and intellectual concerns. Today, this concern is at its lowest level in sectors such as teachers, the academic community ...
regard we believe that the problem is not reaching the concerns of young people who are many, but different from other generations
I speak as a teacher. With my own students if you are able to provide data that allow them to make a reflection. You have to leave the effort and not only students but also teachers and evidently us, IU, the political message become what is the real reflection
What are the sources of Pedro Moreno Brenes? Which authors recommend?
Marx and Engels clearly . But Fernández Buey, Alonso Sánchez Vázquez, Poulantzas and the capitalist state theory, etc.
several names and I tell you briefly tell me your opinion
or Rosa Aguilar. A former colleague who has kindly passed to another party.
Julio Anguita. An example consistency and honesty.
or Santiago Carrillo. An old fox.
or Fidel Castro. You have to retire.
or María Gámez . A person working on a project and believes in him and deserves my respect.
or Francisco de la Torre. Someone who also works for his project, but that his project is finished.
or Zapatero. Someone not as bad as Felipe González, but as of right as he was.
Ratzinger. A good theologian, but when she tried to apply his pastoral in his approach has proved to be one of the most reactionary Popes Church history.
or Aznar. A be unfortunate.
Antonio Serrano. No opinion.
or Obama. This hope has been quite average.
What is and what is it utopia?
Utopia is a project where many people not satisfied with the short term but when it ends is an advance of civilization. One must believe in it.
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