Interview with the Second Deputy Helendakari and Minister of Labor and Employment, Idoia Mendia, on Radio Euskadi

In recent hours it has become known that the Deputy for Sustainability of Gipuzkoa and President of GHK, the Socialist José Ignacio Asensio, will be investigated for a possible crime against the environment and documentary falsification regarding the facilities and operation of the Zubieta. incinerator. In an interview for the program “Boulevard” on Radio Euskadi, the Second Vice President and Minister of Labor and Employment said: Idoia Mendia, has defended the “impeccable” management of his party colleague at the head of the Zubieta incinerator. Moreover, he expressed “total confidence” in the justice and “innocence” of José Ignacio Asensio. In his opinion, the status of the investigation will allow him to defend his person and his execution ‘impeccably’, for which he has shown ‘total calm’.

Mendia is different from the lehendakari and sees no electoral interests behind the strike calls. According to him, “the unions are playing their corresponding role” and the strikes do not “necessarily” affect the election results. In this context, he gave the example of the PSE-EE, which, despite being part of the Basque government, improved its results in the last elections compared to the previous ones. Moreover, he believes that ELA “is trying to act as a counterforce not only to the government, but also to other political parties”, because it also criticizes EH Bildu. “He is an agent who is trying to transcend the union sphere and enter the political sphere,” he added.

In a different order, he also referred to the strike day in public education. Out of respect for the right to strike of its employees, Mendia has invited the parties to reach an agreement and offered mediation if both so request.

When asked about the accusations from Israel to the government of Spain Mendia believes that Israel has shown “too much nervousness” to join Hamas because of the statements made by some ministers. He added that “the position of the government of Spain has been crystal clear from the beginning” and that we need to know how to distinguish between the position of a government and the position of the political parties that make up that government.