Joe Duggan (Reporter)
ALBERT Rivera has told The Olive Press he offers his ‘total support’ to British expats living in Spain.
The Ciudadanos leader was speaking at a party rally in Teatro Las Lagunas in Mijas.
During his speech, Rivera took aim at corruption and overspending by previous political administrations.
But speaking exclusively to The Olive Press afterwards, Rivera backed Brits living here, with Brexit currently causing concern among Spain’s British expat community.
“I offer all my support to British people here in Spain,” he said.
“I know there are a lot of British people who wanted to carry on being in the EU, but it looks like it’s going to be confirmed soon the UK is going to start the process of exiting.
“I fully back the good relationship the Spanish and UK governments have, despite this decision.”
Rivera also praised the Costa Del Sol’s British community during his speech, highlighting the area’s multi-cultural mix.
At one point during his speech, Rivera brandished a newspaper article, which claimed local PP councillor Santiago Martin offered work to Podemos councillor Francisco Martínez in return for political support.
“You can’t have politicians buying work from other councillors. With Ciudadanos, this will never happen,” said Rivera.
Rivera compared the incident to ‘caciquismo‘, a corrupt nineteenth century political system.
The leader also praised the 32 Ciudadanos deputies in Spain’s national Congress, and attacked the overspending of past political regimes.
“There are airports that have been built without planes, trains without passengers, roads without cars,” he said.
“They have stolen €60 billion and we don’t want the Spanish people to pay the bill for their party.”
Rivera also proposed a ”Mediterranean corridor’ from Andalucia to Catalunya, and called for more funds to improve transport links along Spain’s coast.
whats your view on this Pleblo Cedron….oh i forgat that it does not concern you….you are American
whats your view on this Pleblo Cedron….oh i forgot that it does not concern you….you are American
Giving support to all of them as a whole is nonsense.
There are many who deserve to live in Spain.
On the other hand you have the typical arrogant British immigrant, unable to speak the local language and unable to integrate with the local society.
They think they are the owners of the town when they are just guests, in the best of the cases.
It seems they dont understand they are not at home.
You can see some of those as*holes in the Guardian: “British expats in Spain count the Costa Brexit – video”
Or if you prefer an even worse case, you can always read the posts of Jack Dawdler.
the thing is you dont understand……….your not at home….make your comments on your homeland not others…….it does not concern you pleblo….you are American
The Guardian video is worth a look to understand the cultural clash between Spanish citizens and certain groups of UK immigrants who have little interest in Spain or Spanish people. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2017/mar/16/british-expats-in-spain-count-the-costa-brexit-video
Very interesting Chas. It made me cringe a little but the “Boomers” have generally paid towards the life they’ve got here and they do keep pumping money into the local economy. It doesn’t seem fair that the younger, more integrated, contributors have to pay for Brexit but like the Madrileño (with excellent english) I’m sure they’ll find a way..
I watched this video last night and was extremely disappointed at the attitude of some of the British immigrants and saddened that the Spanish guy who was there working hard was made to feel like a stranger in his own country. We are guests in Spain and that will be more apparent after Brexit (which I still hope won’t happen). I am heartened by the comments of PM Rajoy and other political leaders in Spain and hope that PM May doesn’t screw with things up with her all mouth and handbags attitude.