Yolanda Díaz Urges Immediate Action on Social Shield Decree
Yolanda Díaz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor, has called on the government to present the comprehensive social shield decree to the Council of Ministers without delay. The decree was recently rejected in Congress by the opposition parties, PP and Junts, and included critical provisions such as pension revaluation, public transport subsidies, and protections against eviction for vulnerable families.
Díaz emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that more than 12 million people are anxiously awaiting the reinstatement of pension increases and other vital assistance. She urged that the government submit the decree as it stands, without any alterations, to avoid further delays in implementing these essential measures.
During a breakfast briefing with Europa Press, Díaz highlighted that the government should act swiftly to ensure that pensioners receive the approved increases, which entail a 2.5% rise for non-contributory pensions and a 6% increase for minimum pensions. By submitting the decree promptly, the government could potentially have it ratified by Congress before the end of the month, thereby safeguarding these financial adjustments for pensioners.
The decree also encompasses a six-month extension of public transport discounts, enhancements to the Minimum Vital Income (IMV) for two million individuals, a continuation of the electricity social bonus for over 1.6 million beneficiaries, and crucial protections against evictions for many vulnerable households. Díaz questioned the rationale behind dividing the decree, asking which specific measures the opposition found objectionable.
Furthermore, she pointed out that the PP has adversely impacted millions of citizens, including their own supporters, by voting against these essential measures. Díaz urged the government to proceed with the decree's approval and subsequently negotiate parliamentary support, expressing confidence that the PP would hesitate to oppose pension increases again.
She called attention to the need for the PP to justify its previous opposition, noting that the party had attempted to present itself as supportive of pension increases through a legislative proposal, despite its actions in Congress. Díaz laid the blame for the decree's failure squarely on the PP, rather than Junts, which also voted against it.
In her remarks, she refrained from criticizing the Catalan independence party and advocated for rebuilding trust between the government and Junts, asserting that the responsibility for the decree's downfall lies with those who hold a significant number of parliamentary seats.
Additionally, Díaz encouraged Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to engage in dialogue with Carles Puigdemont as a means of restoring confidence. She asserted that in a democratic society, discussions should occur with all political factions, and it is ultimately up to the Prime Minister to determine the timing and manner of such engagements.
