López elogia el avance de Casares, comprometido a que el PSOE vuelva a gobernar Cantabria
The spokesman for the PSOE in Congress, Patxi López, praised the «step forward» taken by Pedro Casares to lead the party in Cantabria. This weekend, he will be ratified as the general secretary at the Regional Congress held by the Cantabrian socialists in Santander.
During the opening of the conference, López also highlighted Casares’ «commitment» and work in the Lower House, where he is also a deputy. Casares emphasized the importance of «local strength» for the PSC to become the leading party in the autonomous community and regain governance in the region.
At the beginning of the congress, with the attendance of 208 out of the 239 expected delegates, along with 180 observers and regional and local leaders, Casares thanked his predecessor, Pablo Zuloaga, and former Lehendakari. He acknowledged the previous general secretaries of the PSC, Eva Díaz Tezanos and Lola Gorostiaga, who were present at the event. The tribute was also paid to Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, a Cantabrian who held various political positions, including Minister of the Interior, and passed away six years ago.
The conference also featured speeches by the general secretaries of CCOO and UGT in the region, Rosa Mantecón and Mariano Carmona, alongside Patxi López, who praised the work of the new leader of the Cantabrian socialists in Madrid.
The new general secretary of the PSC-PSOE, after winning 52.35% of the votes in the primaries against Zuloaga a month ago, emphasized that the XV Regional Congress is an «opportunity to renew and strengthen» the party’s political project, describing it as the «common house of progressives in Cantabria.»
He outlined plans to enhance the party with more training, participation, ideas, debates, and commitment to the region. He called for unity among the members after the party’s previous division before the federal congress last autumn.
The new leader of the Cantabrian socialists emphasized the importance of a collective project to emerge from the congress stronger, more united, and credible, aiming to build a more recognizable and credible regional project. He reiterated the party’s focus on municipal issues and collaboration with local groups to secure more mayors in the 2027 regional and municipal elections, aiming for change in Santander after 50 years of the same governance.
The conference, held under the theme ‘Cantabria, our commitment,’ included speeches by the leaders of UGT and CCOO in the region, highlighting the achievements and improvements in labor and social issues through the efforts of unions and progressive parties like the PSOE, such as the increase in the minimum wage and pension revaluation.
Rosa Mantecón called for action against the extreme right and preventing its consolidation in power, while Mariano Carmona urged addressing the concerns of the people, focusing on healthcare, education, housing, and employment.
The inauguration of the conference at the Paraninfo of the University of Cantabria featured videos from the Minister of Finance and Vice Secretary-General of the PSOE, María Jesús Montero, and the Secretary of Education and Secretary of Aragon, Pilar Alegría. Both expressed support for Casares as he embarks on a new phase, with Montero emphasizing the need for change in Cantabria under Pedro’s leadership.
The event was attended by representatives from other autonomous communities, including Esther Peña from the Federal Executive Committee of the PSOE, as well as various regional and local secretaries. The conference also saw the presence of political figures from the Basque Country, Navarra, and euro deputies.
A tribute was paid to Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, and the conference will be concluded on Sunday by the PSOE’s general secretary and the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.
FUENTE
