Taking on the challenge of taking the reins of a BNG drained of blood by successive splits, Ana Pontón (Chorente-Lugo, 1977) has not only healed the wounds of Galician nationalism, but in just ten years has catapulted it to erect -se in the alternative to the all-powerful PP of Galicia. And all this, paradoxically, contradicting one of the maxims of Castelao, the father of Galicianism. Far from assuming that “in Galicia you don’t protest, you emigrate”, Lugo’s is ready to lead the change after four legislatures of popular governments in the Xunta.
One of the most repeated phrases in the campaign is that this is a momentous election. Is political change possible in Galicia?
I think so. After 43 years of autonomy, we have had six presidents, all men, and all state forces. It’s time we have a woman in the presidency and with free hands to govern.
Despite the fact that the BNG continues to grow, the polls are favorable to the PP.
What the polls are telling us is that the stage is open. Alfonso Rueda and the PP are in a clear downward trend against a BNG that does not stop rising. It depends on the fact that all undecided people, around 20% of voters, take the BNG ballot. If they do, the PP will go into opposition and we will have a president who will work to give Galicians a better future.
What do you think this change in trends is?
We are losing population, we have less weight in the State as a whole, we have lost jobs in the industrial sector, 700 ships and 5,000 jobs in the fishing sector have disappeared, we are suffering a brutal drop in productivity in our estuaries… This has caused growing discomfort with the PP, because it does not have a future project for Galicia. It is time to bet on something different and this is how more and more Galicians feel, who see the BNG as a solid alternative. The PP governments have done nothing for this country these past 15 years beyond making it go backwards in many aspects. That’s why Rueda doesn’t want to run a campaign focused on Galicia. Whoever is part of the problem cannot be part of the solution.
What needs to be changed?
The first measure will be a shock plan in primary care endowed with 200 million euros to return to public health a part of what the PP has taken from it. Secondly, allocate 86 million to take care of many elderly people who are now helpless in their homes. And the third priority is to change the current energy model according to which the wealth of Galicia is taken and given to the electricity companies, which, by the way, pay their taxes in Madrid. It is necessary to remove the chair they have in the Council of the Xunta from the electricity companies and establish a lower tariff for Galicia.
The PP has admitted that it could propose a pardon to Puigdemont under certain conditions when, in the meetings, Rueda and Feijóo call the former president a “criminal” and “blackmailer”. Is there a double language of the PP?
The PP has pressed the panic button. He goes from one taunt to another, he goes absolutely without a north and what he is telling us with his nervousness is that he knows that in these elections a handful of votes can make the presidency fall to the BNG.
The BNG and Anova have reconciled with a view to the 18-F, while Podemos and Sumar have not been able to join forces. Is it easier to collaborate between nationalist forces than between leftist forces?
This agreement we have reached is very generous on the part of Anova and I am grateful for it. He has read the political moment and has decided to prioritize the change of cycle over any other consideration, because we have a historic opportunity to have a Government at the service of Galicia. I think it was a gesture that reached the hearts of many people who see there the honest way of doing politics.
Do you think that the division of Podemos and Sumar slows down the options of the left?
Pluralism is a value and all organizations have the right to present themselves. Then it is the citizens who decide what role and what responsibility they give to each one of us.
Where has the independence project of the BNG been?
We carry in our acronym what we are… the Galician Nationalist Bloc. And we consider that the more capacity Galicia has to be able to decide, the better. Not to go against anyone, but to go in favor.
The PP accuses the BNG of wanting to “impose Galician”
One in three students say they don’t know Galician, while 100% master Spanish. It is the PP that is endangering our language and, by extension, our country, in front of the BNG, which has a project to bring hope back to Galicia.
Does Madrid determine what happens in Galicia?
We have just experienced it, for example, with the pellet crisis. It is not logical that the competences in matters of maritime rescue and the fight against pollution are in Madrid. The Government of the Xunta has too many bonds of centralism.
What solution do you propose?
To begin with, it must be remembered that the Galician Statute dates from 1981 and that, 43 years later, there is a very important part of its powers that have not yet been achieved. But it is clear that in Spain there is a debate about its territorial model and Galicia, as a nation, must appear in this debate with its own voice and without any kind of discrimination.
