José Ramón Gómez Besteiro, the secretary general of the Galician Socialist Party (PSdeG), has accused the People's Party (PP) and Vox of consistently voting against the interests of the working class and insulting its representatives. Speaking at a demonstration in Vigo, Besteiro remarked, "Saying the PP is the party of workers is like saying the fox is there to protect the chickens," in response to comments made by PP spokesperson Miguel Tellado.
The PSdeG joined protests across Galicia on 11 November in support of a general strike, which was organised by the trade unions CCOO and UGT. Besteiro emphasised the significance of the strike, stating, "The 11N is about defending workers' rights, and the 29N elections will also revolve around this issue: rights or cuts. Everyone will know where they want to stand."
The demonstration saw a strong presence of socialists, including Vigo's mayor Abel Caballero, as well as candidates for Congress and the Senate from the Pontevedra province, Abel Losada and Carmela Silva, along with several city councillors and David Regades, the PSdeG secretary for Pontevedra.
Besteiro reiterated the party's commitment to advocating for the interests of the working class, including the right to decent housing, fair wages, and adequate pensions. He claimed that these issues seem to irritate the PP and Vox, who he accused of consistently voting against measures that would advance workers' rights.
He highlighted the voting records of both parties in Congress, noting their opposition to labour reforms, increases in the minimum wage, and improvements to pensions. "They have voted against all measures in favour of housing," he said. Furthermore, he condemned the recent derogatory remarks made by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the President of the Community of Madrid, who referred to trade unions as "union rubbish" and urged PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo to promise to eliminate them.
In a direct rebuttal to Tellado's comments about the unions, Besteiro pointed out that under the current government, the minimum wage has increased from €735 to €1,221, providing nearly €500 more each month for the lowest earners. "If that is sleeping through the night, then it is a blessed sleep," he quipped.
He also challenged Tellado's portrayal of the PP as the party of workers, citing Feijóo's comments equating absenteeism with cancer and questioning the right of sick workers to receive full pay. Besteiro urged Tellado to explain why, after 17 years of PP governance in Galicia, the average salary remains nearly €3,000 below the national average, while rents in Vigo have surged by 6% in the past year.
Responding to criticisms regarding the strike being called against a government supported by the PSdeG, Besteiro suggested that such comments reflect a lack of understanding of the need to improve the lives and salaries of workers. He described the strike as "absolutely legal and legitimate" and asserted that it comes at an appropriate time.
Mayor Abel Caballero also participated in the protest, asserting that the strike's objectives are valid across the country. He stressed that the current economic progress must benefit society as a whole, stating, "It must have a significant and important impact." Caballero noted a strong turnout for the strike in Vigo, reporting that many businesses were closed in solidarity with the cause.
He called on political groups, including his own, to reflect on the four key demands of the strike: housing, wages, pensions, and employment. Regarding pensions, he argued they should be updated in line with inflation and more, to ensure they maintain purchasing power. He also highlighted the need for continued action and mobilisation to support employment growth.
