The current Spanish Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, and incoming Commission Executive Vice-President for the Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, is being condemned by the Spanish press for consistently dismissing funding for anti-flooding projects in Valencia and other regions due to lack of funds. the Valencian region of Spain experienced a flooding catastrophe that left up 223 victims, and the failure of the government to address the crisis created political tumult in Spain.
As Minister, Teresa Ribera spent up to €42 million on advertising to promote the Spanish government’s initiatives from 2022 to 2024. In 2021, Minister Ribera dismissed funding for anti-flood project for Valencia and left up to 90% of EU funds designated for anti-flooding projects in Spain unspent.
Her European parliament hearing was extremely difficult, with various Spanish MPs directly blaming her for the flooding disaster in Valencia that resulted in up to 223 victims. Spanish EPP MEP and former Minister Dolors Montserrat accused her of being the main enemy of the Spanish people, directly responsible for the disaster in Valencia due to her role in prevention and response. Montserrat also criticised her for destroying the Spanish countryside and agricultural industry with her radicalism and refusal to communicate with stakeholders. Additionally, she was attacked for spending her time in Brussels instead of addressing the crisis in Valencia.
Lega Nord Italian MEP and Silvia Sardone accused the incoming Commissioner of supporting a policy of European deindustrialisation which ultimately benefit China and impoverish Europe. Fratelli d’Italia MEP with the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Nicola Procaccini asked the Spanish Minister to explain how Spain has become the biggest importer of Russian gas. Minister Ribera didn’t provide any answers to these questions saying only that Europe needed to decarbonise without providing many explanations. On Russian gas she just said that “it is difficult”. France’s EPP MEP François-Xavier Bellamy criticised her government’s record on rule of law and for attacking the Spanish judiciary. The room burst out in laughter as she replied by saying that “Europe has a varied and diverse political discourse”.
Spanish Climate Change Minister Teresa Ribera will now be responsible to oversee European legislation that will be aimed for the energy transition from fossil-fuels to renewable energy.
Newsroom
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