Javier Moreno Sánchez: "The aim of European funds is that they should reach the companies and people who need them"

There has been talk in Atalayar about the murder of the Parisian teacher Samuel Paty who was beheaded by a student after teaching the famous Muhammad cartoons created by Charlie Hebdo. And also, about other issues such as the European Union, the recovery fund and the future of the United States and Europe depending on who wins the elections on November 3. 

To analyse all this, Capital Radio's Atalayar programme has interviewed Javier Moreno Sánchez, Head of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. Javier lived in France and is very familiar to French society.  

Javier, the first thing we want to know is about the personal impact that this news about the professor's beheading had on you. What questions can French or European society pose now to try to prevent something like this from happening again?

I personally feel a lot of pain, frustration and indignation because this is barbaric. If I may, I would like to convey to the victim's family, friends and acquaintances a message of condolence and a message of support and solidarity to the French people and authorities.

We must fight against terrorism, against fanaticism, extremism and violence. This is the opposite of what we are trying to build in Europe. It goes against the values of the European project, because we want coexistence, peace, tolerance, freedom, freedom of expression, diversity... We have to think that this is an attack on the heart of democracy and one crucial institution: education.

It is true that they have attacked other symbols such as journalism, places of entertainment, Jewish communities. But this time they have gone further. He was also a 28-year-old young man. It is something incredible. The opening session of the European Parliament began with a solemn declaration by the President, David Sassoli, and we observed a minute's silence. 

The commotion is at all levels. They are French but we are all Europeans. 

The French state has a secular education and it is perhaps not very tolerant... Maybe multiculturalism, as seen from the French point of view, should watch its defences. Could this be the interpretation of what is happening? 

Obviously, we have to defend ourselves against this barbarism, but we cannot give up. They cannot win the battle and we have to continue with this education which, in France, is a central pillar of democracy. Perhaps we need, not only in France but in other Member States, more resources, more personnel, more material, to transfer our values and that which we want (coexistence, peace, diversity), and so that everyone finds a place and a vital moment in these multicultural societies, which represents a great enrichment. 

Until Friday, when this outrage occurred, the current situation in Europe was moving in a different direction: the issue of European funds, the distribution that will be made in the most needy countries (including our own), the Spanish government's sending of the budget plan for next year (which already occurred last week). In short, where will things go, Javier? When is Spain to receive the money? What conditions are going to be placed on us? Is everything in order or is the money committed taking too long to arrive?

It should be remembered that Pedro Sánchez was the first to foresee what was ahead and call for a genuine Marshall Plan for Europe, which he did in March. Then followed the historic Council agreement that took four days of negotiations, which I believe is up to the task at hand. 

Spain will be the second beneficiary after Italy with 140 billion, and the important thing is to ensure that it reaches the citizens, but also the companies, regions and states that need it most. 

Because we cannot delay. The response to the virus cannot be an institutional blockade and the deadline of January 1st must be respected. Citizens would not understand if this were the case. So, we are fighting (this is a tug-of-war) between the Parliament and the Council, but the important thing is that funds reach those who need them.

This morning we heard the government might not, for the time being, have recourse to half of the 140 billion, which are loans to be paid back. Do you think we are ready to renounce the 70 billion even if it has to be paid back? 

You have said so yourself, and the press has also announced it. "For the time being". The most important thing now is that the direct transfers and the subsidies for lost funds should arrive now. We will see later on, as we are not the only country taking this approach. Even Portugal and Italy are planning to go slowly, but the most important thing is the emergency to find an answer to the health, social and economic crisis. 

How will these European funds be distributed in the Spanish autonomous regions? Will the projects determine the granting of this aid? What do the autonomous regions have to do to ensure that their requests and needs are met? 

The Government has presented a detailed plan in Brussels which includes all the requests. I believe, without a doubt, that both the central government and the autonomous regions have the capacity and the will to manage these funds and to make them available to companies and people who need them.  

This is essential and there must be no doubt about the capacity of the government (and of all Spanish governments since we entered the European project) to manage European funds. I have no doubt that it will be done without problems. 

Last week, a spokeperson to the European Commission gave the Spanish government a call on the reform of the justice system. Do you think this will be a problem? Let us hope that there is agreement in our country between the main opposition party and the Socialist Party for this renewal of the leadership of the judiciary. But, if there is no agreement and this reform is undertaken, could European funds be at risk? 

Not at all. The funds are not at risk. A parliamentary process has been initiated through a law regarding this issue, in which, the Popular Party has presented a counter-proposal. We have to see the origin of this proposal.  

This is a blockade on the part of the People's Party to the renewal that the constitution of the General Council of the Judiciary asks of us and I believe that it is impossible that this fact conditions the funds. 
The PP is making a lot of noise. But I believe this s the time to work together and fight not only for its own party interests, but for the interests of all Spanish women and men.
 

Spain, unfortunately, is overwhelmed by EU bureaucracy. We don't know how to navigate in these stormy and complicated waters. The figures show that in 2019 only 35% of the European funds allocated to Spain were executed. There were many billions of euros that are still in limbo. How can we learn from other countries that do take advantage of all the funds? 

I repeat that I have no doubt in the capacity of the Spanish governments (both central and regional) to respond to the situation. 

We have not experienced, since the Second World War, a situation like this and, as I have said, the plan presented by the Government is very detailed and will do everything necessary to ensure that not a single penny is lost, because this would never be forgiven by citizens. 

I believe that, like other States, we will be up to the task. And the most important thing is that we bring the money to the citizens and companies that need it. 

One more question: what is in Europe's best interest, whether the United States re-elects Trump or whether Biden wins?

Let's see, the American elections are very important because they transcend the borders of the United States. It affects us all but the problem is that we cannot vote. As you will understand, I am in favour of the tandem Biden - Kamala Harris. 

For one thing in particular: to close this gap in chaos. For returning to normality. Because neither Trump is America, nor America is Trump. 

The United States is a very important partner and we must return to a normal relationship and to multilateralism. 
Mr. Trump is running the presidency as if it were a reality show. And such an important power, in such a delicate context, cannot afford to do so. 

Unfortunately, American people have the worst president at the worst time and, as I said, I hope they stop it on November 3.

You have said it yourself: they are the ones who vote; in Europe we certainly value wishes more than reality, but we have to remind ourselves that this is the case. You cannot vote unless you have dual nationality.

Unfortunately, we have to accept the consequences, but we cannot vote, that is the big problem.

The problem is that Trump has already announced that he will not accept the result if he loses. This is not only a danger to American democracy, but to the whole world. In the end, whoever does not accept the result... Imagine what can happen after that in the United States. 

Yet, I have confidence in the American powers and counter powers that have always worked. Even though in 2000, the election that was cheated, Bush won by 500 votes and a bit. I don't want to talk about what has not yet happened, but imagine what would happen in the world if Trump continues, especially with regard to the fight against climate change and multilateralism...