The City Council of Logroño has approved, in its session at the regular plenary meeting in April, to advocate for «a fair, coordinated, and balanced migratory policy among autonomous communities,» while rejecting the transfer of migratory competences from the central government to Catalonia and demanding that «resources be guaranteed» to address this issue.
This was done by approving a motion presented by the Popular Party – which received the support of the PP – in which, in addition to rejecting the transfer of competences, it was argued that it is a decision «that generates inequalities» and that has been made «responding only to political interests, unrelated to the general interest.»
Furthermore, the motion also rejects what is considered «discriminatory treatment» and that it «commodifies human beings with its management of immigration.» Therefore, the motion urges the Spanish Government to «carry out an equitable and coordinated migration management with all autonomous communities.»
Likewise, the motion calls on the central government to «assume its responsibilities in border control, improve the planning of reception for unaccompanied minors, and guarantee sufficient resources for autonomous communities and local entities in order to avoid improvisations and inequalities in immigration care.»
VOX proposed an amendment to the motion, in which they opposed the distribution of immigrant minors and called for their repatriation, an amendment that the PP rejected because, as defended by Youth Councilor Laura Lázaro, «their only intention is to remove minors from the community» and to «re-vote on their already rejected motion.»
From the groups, the spokesman for the Riojan Party, Rubén Antoñanzas, has urged Conrado Escobar «to be in solidarity, also with other communities that are saturated, which would make many Logroño residents proud of their mayor.»
The spokesperson for UP-IU, Amaia Castro, has criticized the «racism» of these proposals, declaring herself «amazed,» recalling that «we have an anthem that says ‘in Logroño, no one feels like a foreigner,’ I feel sadness and shame.»
After the rejection of their amendment, VOX spokesperson María Jiménez questioned «which PP am I debating with,» pointing out what she sees as changes in position within the ‘popular’ party.
On his part, socialist Iván Reinares criticized that «they present a motion in which they intend to give us lessons on justice and equity.» «We are talking about minors, a little more respect,» he demanded. And their spokesperson, Luis Alonso, argued that migration policy «should be a State policy,» a «sense of State» that he specifically requested from the PP.
The Councilor for Social Services, Patricia Sáinz, countered the criticisms, arguing that «we are here and like this because of seven votes, which are determining the policies of the entire country» and recalling that «they have allied with Junts, a party that says that there are too many immigrants in Spain.»
She asked, «how do we care for 157 minors, who not only need economic resources but also time and emotional support, it’s not just about money and building large facilities.» «Forget about securing votes and speak to people from the heart,» she concluded.
To close the debate, Mayor Conrado Escobar intervened, stating that «the PP is where it has always been, in the political center, in moderation, in coexistence, in common sense.»
«And in contrast to this, we have a position in favor of tariffs on our wine, of the party of deportations. But on the other side, there are no better positions: a party that has given in to its proposals and has succumbed to exclusionary nationalism. They are accomplices to the most retrograde aspects of immigration,» he asserted.
In this context, he affirmed that «the people of Logroño are intelligent and have entrusted their confidence to common sense, to coexistence, which yearns for State pacts also on this issue.» «We are aware that Spain manages one of the most complicated borders in the world, and also that immigration is a key economic factor. Without immigration, a large part of economic activity would suffer,» he emphasized.
Therefore, he considered it «necessary to have a State Pact among all, not to talk about solving an issue through the back door, because it is evident that this is a matter that needs to be resolved between the two major parties.» «Solidarity, responsibility, and coexistence,» Escobar requested in conclusion.
REJECTED MOTIONS.
The PP’s motion was the only one approved in today’s plenary session, in a particularly intense session in this regard, with a total of seven proposals, and a total of four questions presented and answered.
Thus, the PSOE demanded the «urgent» call for aid for energy efficiency and that «the remaining aid for rehabilitation» not be reduced in 2025. Motion rejected – thanks to the PP’s vote against it – with the local Government criticized for «neglect» and «reduction» in this area during the previous term, to which it added improvements in the call for these subsidies.
Likewise, a motion proposed by the socialists to annul and reassign the health zones of Logroño, following the changes made with the opening of the new La Villanueva health center, was not approved. A proposal that, for the opposition, highlights a «disastrous» management and, for the PP, is «just political opportunism» and «generates unnecessary alarm.»
Also, related to immigration issues, a motion from VOX was rejected, with only VOX voting in favor, to show «the rejection of the massive reception of unaccompanied minors.» A proposal that received widespread criticism from the rest of the Corporation’s parties.
Another motion from VOX was also rejected – the only party to give their vote in favor again – in which they demanded «improvements in the living conditions of animals in the city.» In this regard, the Councilor for the Environment, Jesús López, highlighted improvements in dog walking areas and in the maintenance of these spaces, which are included in the new parks and gardens contract.
Similarly, a proposal from UP-IU «for the implementation of measures against double-parking» was rejected – with the ‘no’ from VOX and PP and the vote in favor from the rest – with a harsh exchange of criticisms between the local Government and the opposition on aspects related to bike lanes, traffic, public transportation, or mobility.
Another motion, in this case from the Riojan Party, «to promote a Municipal Fronton Plan 2025-2028 that improves the offer of sports and leisure spaces for children and youth,» also failed, with the ‘yes’ from the PR, UP-IU, and PSOE, the abstention from VOX, and the ‘no’ from the PP, which pointed out, as the local Government, to actions in these spaces that are already being carried out.
