President Jorge Azcón, in the Pignatelli institutional office / Eduardo Ezequiel
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The President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, gave his end-of-year speech this Sunday, December 31, – the first since his arrival in office – from the headquarters of the Aragonese Government in the Pignatelli building in Zaragoza , in the which has placed special emphasis on the defense and safeguarding of the Constitution in the face of the independence threat to attack the Executive of Pedro Sánchez . “In no case are we going to allow the shameful pacts of the central government with the independence movement to relegate us Aragonese as second-class Spaniards,” he emphasized.
“In the face of the attacks of those who are willing to break this constitutional framework, it is vital to reinforce the commitment to the Constitution and the Statute of Aragon as essential laws to strengthen our present and our future,” the leader of the PP in Aragon has also highlighted.
Azcón has recorded his first end-of-year speech in different exterior and interior locations of the Pignatelli building, headquarters of the regional government, with a special focus on the coat of arms of Aragon, which turns 525 years old in 2024. “One of our main symbols, which reminds us at the same time of our historical roots and our decisive role in the creation of Spain,” he stressed, highlighting the role of a community “satisfied with the history shared with all our compatriots” and , above all, “willing to continue strengthening its commitment to freedom, democracy and the constitutional system.”
“We loyally accept the same duties as the rest of Spaniards and, consequently, we demand the same rights and the same opportunities. We Aragonese do not want more, but we will never settle for less”
Jorge Azcón, President of Aragon
Azcón had words of recognition for the Aragones deputies and senators who participated in the process of drafting the Constitution in 1978 in what he described as “an exemplary democratic transition.” Recalling the presentation, a few weeks ago, of the first Gabriel Cisneros prize to these former parliamentarians , he remarked that “they are the greatest example of the interest and enthusiasm with which all Aragonese and Spaniards have participated in the construction of a common future.” from harmony, respect and encounter”, which has allowed us to develop as “free and equal citizens and we have enjoyed the highest levels of well-being”.
The Aragonese President of the Executive wanted to emphasize how “Aragon and Spain have transformed extraordinarily in the last four decades”, but he has warned, however, that Spain is currently experiencing “difficult days”.
“I summon you with determination”
The president has stated that “the defense of the Constitution and our freedom has recently become a challenge that we cannot avoid” and has stressed that his Executive will not do so: “We reaffirm our commitment to the national unity of Spain, the freedom and equality of all Spaniards. Therefore, from the Government that I preside over, I have committed to carrying out all possible initiatives to prevent what has given us the greatest collective successes from being destroyed by lack of solidarity and the selfishness of a few,” he stressed, and has appealed to citizens to follow him in his efforts. “I summon you with determination. Because a free society must assert the essence that defines it and defend it with courage and conviction.”
“From the Government that I preside over, I have committed to carrying out all possible initiatives to prevent what has given us the greatest collective successes from being destroyed by the lack of solidarity and selfishness of a few”
Jorge Azcón, President of Aragon
Regarding the possible concessions to the Catalan and Basque nationalist parties as a bargaining chip for parliamentary support for the Government of Pedro Sánchez , Azcón has been blunt: “We loyally accept the same duties as the rest of Spaniards and, consequently, we demand the same rights and the same opportunities. We Aragonese do not want more, but we will never settle for less.”
Four months of Government of Aragon
Azcón has taken advantage of the New Year’s Eve message to also take stock of the four months he has led the Executive. “Beyond the honor and responsibility with which I assumed the task that you entrusted to me, we Aragonese have shown that, once again, we are capable of designing a future together and drawing that prosperous and avant-garde Aragon to which we aspire,” he said. saying. And he has emphasized that with that purpose, they have approved the first budget of the Legislature with the support of four different parties PP, Vox, PAR and Teruel Exist.
In this sense, he has highlighted the increase in social spending, between 10% and 12% in Health, Education and social policies, which allow the reversal of “cuts” applied in the previous legislature, such as that of ambulances. To this he has added “a fairer and reduced taxation “, which helps families and companies and is capable of developing the economy and attracting investments.
That “better Aragon for all” that Azcón has spoken of must also address “decisively” and with sufficient economic allocations challenges such as depopulation, territorial structuring and the extension of quality services to the entire community.
For the regional president, “stability and institutional loyalty” are also essential to reach agreements such as those signed in the recent Bilateral Commission with the Zaragoza City Council , which include strategic projects such as the New Romareda, or the “substantial” improvement of municipal financing with the other two capitals and with the rest of the municipalities through the Local Fund.
In economic matters, despite recognizing that the prospects for 2024 indicate “a global slowdown”, he stressed that the Aragonese Executive will continue working to promote productive sectors and continue attracting companies and investments that generate wealth and work. “We maintain unwavering confidence in the future and in our ability to take advantage of opportunities and competitive advantages that differentiate us,” he stressed.
Azcón has also highlighted the logistics and energy production capacity that Aragón has which, together with the availability of space, the business, work and training culture and the quality of life, are “development levers” that attract large technology companies, such as Becton Dickinson, Amazon or Microsoft.
“Aragon is not only a geographical territory; it is an economic engine, a land of opportunities and entrepreneurship”
Jorge Azcón, President of Aragon
However, he has insisted that new regional financing that is “fair, supportive and appropriate” to the demographic and territorial parameters of Aragon is “essential”, as well as the need for state aid to reach the electric battery factory project. of Stellantis in Figueruelas (Zaragoza).
It has also called on the central government to participate in the Pyrenees Plan to promote the northernmost regions, to establish aid for business operations in Teruel at 20% and one at 1% annually and to complete the major road, railway and pending hydraulic projects, which “accumulate decades of delay and are essential for our growth and projection.”
Azcón concluded his speech by wishing “the best from the heart” for the year 2024.
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