The PP and Vox in Jumilla (Murcia) have authorised the “first measure” in Spain that prohibits Islamic celebrations in public places.
In a message on the social network X, Vox Murcia stated that Jumilla has made “history” by being “the first measure in Spain that prohibits celebrating Islamic festivals in public spaces.”
Vox presented the motion on the defence of the customs and practices of the Spanish people against alien cultural practices at the July plenary session, as indicated on the Jumilla City Council website.
This motion was approved with 10 votes in favour of the Popular Party (PP), Vox abstaining, and the PSOE and IU-Podemos-AV rejecting it. The People’s Party (PP) inserted a modifying amendment that exclusively addressed municipal powers for this purpose.
Consequently, Vox advocated for the “respect and safeguarding of the Spanish people’s own traditions in the public sphere against the dissemination of foreign customs that are motivated by policies of ideological concession, electoralism, or economic pressure.”
The Socialists, as reported by ‘Siete días Jumilla’, emphasised that “the City Council should belong to everyone, regardless of beliefs,” and characterised the motion and amendment as “xenophobic and sectarian”.
In the interim, Francisco Lucas Ayala, the secretary general of the PSOE in Murcia, has accused the PP of “violating” constitutional values and placing coexistence “at risk” in order to “cling to power.” “They have not acquired any knowledge from the events that transpired in Torre Pacheco.” They persist in inciting animosity and fostering a social division that has unanticipated repercussions. He stated in a message on the same social network that the PP violates constitutional values and places coexistence at risk to maintain power.
IU-Podemos-Av rejected the motion “as shameful and ignominious, as racist, and as fomenting discrimination and hatred against people based on their origins,” in the same vein. Additionally, they contended that “it presents cultural differences as a challenge, despite the fact that neighbourhoods are actively promoting interculturality and coexistence within the municipality.”
In the same vein, Víctor Egío, the communications secretary for the Purple Party in the Region, characterised this agreement as “xenophobic nonsense and an aberration.” He also emphasised that “public spaces are the property of all individuals, including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and those who do not identify with a particular religion.”
We have the option of presenting the motion to the prosecutor’s office
Podemos will present “this most recent nonsense from the Popular Party and Vox” to the Prosecutor’s Office. He continued, “It is yet another step in the xenophobic and racist drift, not only from Vox, to which we are accustomed, but also from the Popular Party, which in the Region of Murcia endorses all of its policies.” “Egío declared that the Popular Party of López Miras is no different from that racist far right as of today.”
Penélope Luna, the regional coordinator of IU-Verdes, also issued a warning that this decision is “unconstitutional” and “a direct attack” on Article 16 of the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom. “This is an administrative regulation that is disguised as an act of Islamophobic racism and hatred.” She declared, “We will not permit it.”
Luna castigated the PP for its decision to “complicit” in “fascism” by negotiating “the dignity” of Jumilla “in exchange for continuing to govern at any price.” ” He emphasised that the Region of Murcia cannot serve as a testing ground for reactionary authoritarianism.
The Left-wing party has declared that it will investigate the “most appropriate” legal avenue to challenge the measure for violating fundamental rights. It has not ruled out the possibility of appealing to the Constitutional Court and the Ombudsman “if necessary.” It has also requested that the Spanish government and the Government Delegation in Murcia adopt a stance “against this clearly unconstitutional and racist trend.”
Juan Agustín Navarro, the representative of Vox in the Jumilla City Council, has assured in a message on the social network X that “Spain is and always will be a land of Christian roots!” in response to the motion’s approval.
He also commended the defence of Spanish traditions against the “constant ideological offensive of the left” to impose foreign customs following the plenary session. He underscored that the conclusion of Ramadan and the supplication of the lamb would no longer be commemorated.
Author: Derek Appleton
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