Government's Stance on Recent Moroccan Attacks
The recent question regarding the Spanish government's stance on the attacks by Morocco against Sahrawi leaders and activists was initially set to be discussed in the upcoming Congressional session. However, this question has been removed from the agenda and replaced with another matter. According to sources from the Presidency, the question could not be addressed this week as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, will not be present. It was deemed inappropriate for Félix Bolaños, the Minister of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with the Cortes, to respond on his behalf, despite being listed on the agenda to do so.
Sources clarify that this maneuver is unrelated to the strong criticisms made by Brahim Gali, the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, against the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. Gali has accused Sánchez of "turning a blind eye" to issues in Western Sahara and applying a double standard when it comes to defending human rights. The Presidency has communicated to Bildu, the group that raised the question through their Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Jon Iñarritu, that they can pose the question next week when the Foreign Minister will be present, allowing for a substitution of the inquiry this week. The Congressional Regulations allow the government to request, with justification, a postponement of a question to the agenda of the next plenary session.
Changing the Agenda Amid Criticism
The government had notified that Albares would be absent from this week's session prior to the registration of questions by the various groups. These questions are directed towards the government as a whole rather than specific ministers, leaving the Executive to decide which of its members will respond and the order of responses. The new question registered by Iñarritu, which will be answered by Bolaños, asks: "Will the new judge and prosecutor positions ensure respect for linguistic rights?" Meanwhile, sources from the group coordinated by Arnaldo Otegi indicate that they have not abandoned the original question and will present it next week.
The criticism of the Spanish government's double standards, as highlighted by Gali, includes its response to violent attacks against Sahrawis by Morocco, notably the drone strikes on June 7 that resulted in the deaths of a Polisario leader and two other members. The Spanish government has not condemned these attacks, despite having condemned a prior attack on occupied territory perpetrated by the Polisario that resulted in no casualties.
As reported by abc.es.
