The PP is unmarked from the regulation of the ‘lobbies’ in Congress because the PSOE « is not legitimized » | Spain

The Congress of Deputies has entered a unique phase: government and opposition vote different even when they agree. The Socialists proposed on Tuesday to open the process to address a reform of the Chamber Regulations in order to transparent relationships between deputies and interest groups. « On this there is a broad consensus in the camera, » Mikel Legarda anticipated, of the PNV. And indeed it seemed when the popular Carmen Navarro rose to the tribune and admitted that this matter « must be addressed in favor of democracy. » The impression dissipated in just a few seconds. If someone thought that the PP could support it, Navarro ran to deny it. His party cannot support the proposal because the PSOE « does not meet the minimum ethical and moral rules. » « He is not legitimized to bring something like that, » he said. And abstained in the vote.

The PSOE had already taken A very similar proposal in the previous legislature that did not bear fruit. The government also sent to Congress last March a law to regulate relationships between lobbies and The administration that for now it is paralyzed in the period of presentation of amendments. Several groups reproached the socialists to present the initiative circumscribed to the lower house without first activating that bill.

The proposal aims to force the entities that try to influence the deputies registering in a registry of lobbies. Each approved law would have to include a “footprint” in which it would realize all the external contributions incorporated. For the first time, a sanctions regime for parliamentarians who do not comply with the obligation would be established – and without coercive capacity to impose it – to disseminate any contact with representatives of interest groups or that hide data in their patrimony statements.

The initiative was defended by the socialist María Adrio, who ended up appealing to the entire hemicycle: « Ladies, we give example, that we can go with our heads high and represent citizens as a democratic society demands. » The usual government allies agreed that regulation is necessary because, as Pilar Vallugera said, of ERC, in the process of elaboration of the laws « sometimes miraculous things happen, sudden changes of opinion that you do not explain. » But none showed excessive enthusiasm with the proposed text. Just add, by the mouth of Francisco Sierra, he adhered without raising objections.

Oskar Matute, from EH Bildu, labeled him as « warm » and disagreed with the wide definition of a group of interest proposed by the text, an objection also expressed by Nestor Rego, of the BNG, with these words: « It cannot be considered the same as Repsol as to a neighborhood platform. » The Peneuvist Legarda warned that a « deep reflection to try to achieve the greatest possible consensus » will be necessary. Josep Maria Cervera, from Junts, anticipated that his group will propose to specify « ambiguous concepts » and correct an excess of procedures that « could slow down the legislative activity. »

PP and Vox or entered to address the text. They almost liquidated it with identical words for considering it « a perfume » – according to the popular Navarro – or a « makeup » – according to Ignacio Gil Lázaro, of Vox – to cover the « unbearable stench » of the government.

The popular managed to inflict another defeat to the Government, of few consequences, when taking the plenary in consideration a proposal to reform the Coasts Law to withdraw traditional population centers from the public domain by the sea. Junts and PNV supported it.