Pedro Sánchez Hosts EH Bildu Leader Mertxe Aizpurua at Moncloa
This marks the first official visit by a representative of EH Bildu to the Palace of Moncloa.
On Thursday, Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Spanish Government, welcomed Mertxe Aizpurua, a spokesperson for the political party EH Bildu, at the Palace of Moncloa, marking the first time a representative from this party has visited the official seat of the Spanish Presidency.
The meeting between Sánchez and Aizpurua was part of a series of discussions aimed at addressing security issues in Europe and the increase in defense spending.
Upon her arrival, Sánchez greeted Aizpurua along with other political leaders gathered for the meetings at Moncloa.
They posed briefly for photo opportunities on the steps of the Council of Ministers building before entering the meeting room, where they were seated in chairs next to each other amid the flags of Spain and the European Union.
Mertxe Aizpurua has a controversial history, having been sentenced to one year in prison in 1984 for glorifying terrorism.
Prior to this meeting, Sánchez had engaged with Aizpurua in Congress on October 13, 2023, during consultations to secure support for his government.
While previous communications with EH Bildu had occurred, no other representatives from the party had been received at the Palace of Moncloa before this visit.
In September 2020, Sánchez had also held discussions with parliamentary group representatives regarding budget agreements and the renewal of constitutional bodies, though those meetings included both in-person and virtual components.
The invitation to Aizpurua has prompted criticism from the Popular Party (PP).
Its leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, remarked that when his party governs, they will not grant such access to Bildu, criticizing Sánchez for opening Moncloa to what he termed 'a party linked to terrorism.'
Feijóo further stated, 'Let them enjoy the visit,' while also asserting that the current president's tenure will end any legitimacy for such meetings.
Miguel Tellado, the spokesperson for the PP in Congress, echoed these sentiments, accusing Sánchez of legitimizing Bildu, whom he characterized as the heirs of ETA, and called the meeting a culmination of infamy.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, also criticized the government for allowing Bildu into Moncloa while denying a visit to Vox, underscoring the contentious political climate surrounding this unprecedented meeting.
The meeting between Sánchez and Aizpurua was part of a series of discussions aimed at addressing security issues in Europe and the increase in defense spending.
Upon her arrival, Sánchez greeted Aizpurua along with other political leaders gathered for the meetings at Moncloa.
They posed briefly for photo opportunities on the steps of the Council of Ministers building before entering the meeting room, where they were seated in chairs next to each other amid the flags of Spain and the European Union.
Mertxe Aizpurua has a controversial history, having been sentenced to one year in prison in 1984 for glorifying terrorism.
Prior to this meeting, Sánchez had engaged with Aizpurua in Congress on October 13, 2023, during consultations to secure support for his government.
While previous communications with EH Bildu had occurred, no other representatives from the party had been received at the Palace of Moncloa before this visit.
In September 2020, Sánchez had also held discussions with parliamentary group representatives regarding budget agreements and the renewal of constitutional bodies, though those meetings included both in-person and virtual components.
The invitation to Aizpurua has prompted criticism from the Popular Party (PP).
Its leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, remarked that when his party governs, they will not grant such access to Bildu, criticizing Sánchez for opening Moncloa to what he termed 'a party linked to terrorism.'
Feijóo further stated, 'Let them enjoy the visit,' while also asserting that the current president's tenure will end any legitimacy for such meetings.
Miguel Tellado, the spokesperson for the PP in Congress, echoed these sentiments, accusing Sánchez of legitimizing Bildu, whom he characterized as the heirs of ETA, and called the meeting a culmination of infamy.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, also criticized the government for allowing Bildu into Moncloa while denying a visit to Vox, underscoring the contentious political climate surrounding this unprecedented meeting.
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Translated by AI
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