National
Mariano Rajoy calls on the Partido Popular to stop talk of a crisis
By h.b.
May 13, 2008 - 8:09 PM

As the debate on the state of the opposition Partido Popular continues both inside and outside the party, the party leader Mariano Rajoy has broken his recent silence and called on the paty to stop talking about a crisis, so as not to complicate matters.

It was his first comment since the head of the party in Galicia, María San Gil, announced she would be taking a step back from making policy, indicating that the party was taking a softer line with the Basque nationalists and ETA. However the latest statement from the party on the policy in the region is as hard line as ever, leading to even more speculation as to the reasons for her decision to move aside. An act planned with her and Mariano Rajoy together for this Thursday has now been cancelled.

Mariano Rajoy told journalists today that he had held several phone conversations with María San Gil on Monday, and that he has no intentions of changing his strategy, even though it would lead to a difficult party congress in Valencia next month.

María San Gil is considered to be on the hard right of the party, and many have come out in support of her, which some journalists see as forcing a large split in the party. Among those to voice support for San Gil are the outgoing Secretary General, Ángel Acebes, the PP President of the Madrid region, Esperanza Aguirre, and the Madrid deputy and wife of the previous Prime Minister, José María Aznar, Ana Botella.