Emiliano García-Page, President of the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, has once again delivered sharp criticism of his own party. Speaking at a meeting in Toledo, he emphasized that Spain is not simply on the verge of another political cycle change, but is facing the threat of much more profound transformations. According to him, the country is under the shadow of a “judicial cyclone” that could not only undermine political stability but also call an entire era in the nation’s history into question.
García-Page noted that his government’s and party’s current problems are fundamentally rooted in matters of principle. While he did not directly name specific agreements, he made it clear that he was referring to deals with the Catalan party Junts, which allowed the formation of the government in exchange for the adoption of the amnesty law. In the regional leader’s view, it was precisely these kinds of compromises that served as the starting point for the current crisis.
A crisis of trust
In his address, García-Page stressed that solutions to the current situation should be sought in the very foundations of political activity. He stated that “it all started with principles,” and that it was the lack or distortion of them that led to today’s difficulties. The president of Castilla-La Mancha reminded that his region follows a different approach, focusing on openness and honesty in relations between the authorities and the public.
He also noted that after the July 2023 elections, the majority in Congress shifted to right-wing forces. At the same time, in his view, the current government was formed thanks to an alliance with parties he described as ‘right-wing or far-right’ in the context of independence, which, according to him, means the current political cycle cannot be considered leftist.
The dialogue problem
García-Page defended dialogue and compromise, emphasizing that politics should not be about building walls between different segments of society. He criticized those who prefer isolation and refuse to discuss difficult issues, hinting at the position of the central government. According to him, ‘walls may shield from certain problems, but ultimately they limit perspective and prevent understanding others.’
The regional president stressed that his administration has always advocated openness and cooperation with various social groups. He called this approach ‘an antidote to populism,’ which, in his opinion, is becoming increasingly evident in Spanish politics.
Challenges for the party
García-Page remains the only member of his party with an absolute majority in the regional parliament. This gives him the freedom to openly express dissent with the central leadership’s course. His remarks come amid ongoing debates about Spain’s future and the role of principles in politics.
He emphasized that the current crisis is not just another political storm, but a challenge that could reshape the very structure of Spanish democracy. According to García-Page, only a return to fundamentals and honest dialogue can prevent the crisis from deepening further.
Context and background
Earlier, we reported on this in a piece where García-Page distanced himself from Pedro Sánchez’s policies and stressed that there is no place for corruption in Castilla-La Mancha. In that article, he also criticized the political climate in the country and explained why he is opposed to the party line. For more details, read our article at this link.
