Por María Izquierdo 
Accuses the president of the Junta of «lying miserably» by saying that Vox supports Trump’s tariffs
The president of Vox, Santiago Abascal, has accused the president of the Junta and president of the PP in Castilla y León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, and the national ‘popular’ leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, of being «at the orders» of the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and of following the lead of the Spanish government president and general secretary of the PSOE, Pedro Sánchez.
«The PP and the PSOE are currently the same dogs with different collars,» he criticized in statements collected by Europa Press in a media briefing prior to a meeting with members and supporters in Valladolid, an event attended by about 500 people, according to the party.
Abascal recalled that the last time he was in Valladolid was when Vox was still part of the government of the Junta of Castilla y León, a government from which the party had to leave «because of the lies» of the PP, its government partner.
«In short, because of the bipartisan commitments of the PP, the commitments to migration pacts and the distribution of illegal immigration in the form of unaccompanied minors,» he explained, lamenting having suffered «the lies» of the ‘popular’ party, which is why Vox left the regional governments it was in.
The party leader expressed being «absolutely satisfied» with that decision, «not only because of the popular support that has occurred subsequently, but because Spain needed a true opposition.»
And indeed, in his opinion, in Castilla y León, Fernández Mañueco and at the national level, Feijóo «are at the orders of Von der Leyen and following Pedro Sánchez» in matters such as the Migration Pact or the Green Pact «that damages industry, transportation, and agriculture,» or with «ideological policies in the form of historical memory, gender in schools, or international policies.
«For us, the Popular Party and the Socialist Party are currently the same dogs with a different collar,» he concluded, reaffirming that Vox will remain «in total opposition both in Europe and in Spain» in response.
On the other hand, questioned about the party’s national crisis, Abascal stated that they face it «both internally and externally because it responds to a big lie» that has been «propagated by the media.»
In this regard, he pointed out that the party recently renewed the National Executive Committee «and no one presented themselves» and noted that «all the crisis that supposedly occurred led to anonymous manifestos» while «in reality, no one presented a candidacy» and the party felt «the support of the people.» Therefore, he stated that he is «very calm» about it.
AGAINST TARIFFS
On the other hand, in relation to the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on products from the European Union, he accused Fernández Mañueco of «lying miserably» by saying that Vox supports them.
«We have never supported tariffs against Spanish products. On the contrary, you will find statements from me in Spain and even in Washington saying that we do not want those tariffs. That is the truth,» he defended.
In this sense, he emphasized that Vox believes that «the best way to deal with this tariff threat is not to become anti-Trump champions, which is what both Feijóo and Sánchez are doing,» which is a «monumental mistake.»
«Who seems to be avoiding tariffs in Europe? In Trump’s words, Mrs. (Giorgia) Meloni (Prime Minister of Italy). Because he likes her, because she has not become the antagonist of Donald Trump,» he reflected, warning that «what Sánchez and Feijóo are currently doing is what places Spain «on the brink of tariffs.»
VOX CANDIDATE IN CYL
On the other hand, asked if the party is in the process of choosing the next Vox candidate in Castilla y León, he indicated that when the electoral process is faced, that decision will be made since what is important in Vox «is not the most important» for the party.
«It is a decision that we will make calmly as we did on the previous occasion, a decision that was made a few weeks before the elections and the result was extraordinary. Why? Because of the strength of Vox’s ideas,» he added, expressing confidence that his party’s message will reach «with much more force» in upcoming elections.
Also, questioned about the Government pact between Vox and the PP in the Valladolid City Council, he praised the work of his party, although he pointed out that «dealing with the PP is very difficult» because «they always have the temptation to betray Vox in all the agreements they make.»