Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, speaking on the Cadena Ser radio station, has told the Spanish Bishops that he will not be taking a single step backwards in the laws he has passed which extend rights.Showing firmness and visibly angry about the criticism he has received from the Spanish Catholic Church, he referred to the recent rally for the family, held in Madrid on December 30.
At the rally the two Cardinals, Rouco and García-Gasco, went as far as to say that democracy had retreated with certain laws passed by the Government such as gay marriage.
To that Zapatero said that the Government is not going to impose any moral belief or religion on the citizens, and he doubted that the Partido Popular had the capacity to hold such an influence.
He said that he was especially disappointed with the Spanish Church, noting that the Vatican had not claimed that human rights were under threat in Spain, as the Spanish Church had done in the Plaza de Colón, and something unacceptable, according to Zapatero. He added that he was surprised and worried that the Partido Popular had remained silent on that, instead of coming out to defend the fact that the laws are passed only in Parliament.
On other matters the Prime Minister promised transparency in the investigation into the allegations of torture during the arrest of two ETA activists earlier this week, in which Igor Portu was allegedly injured and admitted to intensive care hours after his arrest.
With a General Election just two months away, Zapatero said there was a margin for income tax cuts, without entering into an election auction, but doing so with ‘balance and equality’.
He had a message of calm for the economy, despite the recent poor data in inflation and employment.
The surprise of the interview came in the Prime Minister’s voiced intention to have a cup of coffee with José María Aznar, the previous PP Prime Minister. The two men are likely to meet today at the dinner to celebrate King Juan Carlos 70th birthday.
Meanwhile the previous Socialist Prime Minister, Felipe González, has launched a harsh attack against the Bishops. In an acceptance speech for the Ramón Rubial prize in San Sebastian, González said the Bishops thought they were in the possession of the ‘absolute truth’ and that they ‘want to save the Spanish people from their mistakes’. We are fed up with them saving us, he said.
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