Pedro Sánchez and Zohran Mamdani join forces in New York: "The powerful are afraid of us"

MadridPedro Sánchez and Zohran Mamdani. Two names from the left, with international projection, who joined forces this Wednesday in New York to stage an alliance in favor of progressive policies on a global scale. "The powerful fear us," declared the Spanish president, who was invited by the mayor of New York to an informative breakfast taking advantage of his stay in the North American city during the United Nations General Assembly. "Spain is demonstrating that another economic model is possible, and New York that this ambition can transform our cities. That is why the powerful fear us, because we demonstrate that there is another possible path that works and generates results for common people," stated Sánchez, as reported by Efe.

Under the title 'Building an economy for the majority', Sánchez argued that his policies contribute to reducing inequality, despite criticism from the opposition regarding the loss of purchasing power of the Spanish people. He remarked that it is one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union, with the lowest unemployment rate in recent decades and with measures such as the establishment of a minimum vital income. He also cited the suspension of evictions, even though the decree-law is no longer in force —it was struck down by PP, Vox, and Junts— and this Wednesday an 87-year-old woman was evicted from the house where she had lived her entire life, after an investment fund bought it and imposed a rent of 1,650 euros. Events that have caused the minority partner of the Spanish executive, Sumar, to have already demanded a new housing decree to suspend evictions.

Immigration

Although with the Ceuta crisis the opposition is questioning Sánchez's migration policies, the Spanish president has once again defended his government's position. He gave a speech praising the migratory phenomenon. "Immigrants work in our companies, contribute to our public finances, sustain our welfare state, and enrich our communities. Immigration makes us a better country," he declared. And on this point, he made a global criticism of the right, on both sides of the Atlantic, for pointing to immigrants as the culprits of all ills: "It is one of the oldest political tricks in history: making people look to the sides so they don't look up."