Citizens expressing their opinions is beneficial, and it matters when those voices are considered in decision making. The Catalan national holiday and a Catalan Civil Society event stirred memories for supporters, yet turnout on the day and Sunday remained modest.
Alberto Núñez Feijoo attended the demonstration opposed to amnesty and the idea of Catalan self-determination because he champions equal rights for Spaniards. He spoke as a citizen rather than in his official capacity as president of the PP. He framed the government’s plan, which had not been announced or officially recognized, as a bailiff-like overreach. In that moment, he could sound like a Galician critic, noting how caciquismo once shaped his country’s politics with a certain elegance, even if the term carries a negative connotation.
Isabel Diaz Ayuso, serving as president of the Community of Madrid and directing nearly all of the regional government, joined the Sunday gathering in Barcelona in a personal capacity. When she appears alongside Feijoo and offers a nod or a wink, she is perceived as more than Feijoo—both as a private citizen and as a political figure. Her presence signals a blend of personal stance and public duty, with her support appearing unambiguous to onlookers.
Ayuso’s actions reflect a moment where personal conviction and official roles intersect. While Feijoo withdraws from presenting his stance as an official PP position, Ayuso aligns fully with him as a participant in the demonstration, leaving little room for ambiguity about her support.
Manuel Fraga is recalled as a longtime political force whose legacy shaped Galicia and the broader party landscape. The description emphasizes how Fraga’s era and decisions influenced the party’s trajectory, including leadership transitions, and how those past choices contrast with current developments. The portrayal suggests that Feijoo, who had been urged to rise to Madrid from Galicia, chose a different path that shifted him away from the party’s traditional demonstrations tied to its organizational structure. The narrative implies a tension between historical leadership and present strategic moves, highlighting how a leader’s past roles can cast long shadows over today’s political demonstrations.