Esteve Sureda: "I don't find it inconsistent to be a member of Vox and have an immigrant wife."

ManacorThe Vox spokesperson in Manacor, Esteve Sureda (Manacor, 1977), recently took to the streets accompanied by the president of the Balearic Parliament, Gabriel Le Senne, on a tour that the party presented as a warning about the "worrying Islamization" of the municipality. With an almost urban safari-like feel, they toured the streets of the capital of the Levante region to "glimpse" a reality that the far right considers threatening.

Although Manacor and the rest of the island municipalities are characterized by coexistence, Vox is committed to presenting a conflict and an alleged loss of identity, basing its strategy on distrust and fear.

ARA Baleares has spoken with Esteve Sureda to address a political approach that points to and blames immigrants for what they consider a cultural and social threat.

Is his second lineage Sunyer? How do I spell it?

— With ñ ofSpain.

Now that we're in the second half of the municipal term, how do you assess the left-wing coalition in Manacor?

— I think Més-Esquerra and AIPC haven't realized they couldn't govern in a minority and have had to rely on the PSOE, which previously made things difficult for them from the opposition, but now plays into their hands. The Socialists, now that they're on the inside, have significantly changed their rhetoric.

Was this a merger focused more on urban planning, perhaps to expedite it?

— I would be very surprised if they could change in two years what they haven't been able to in the previous six. Here I must say that I don't think the politicians are largely to blame, but rather civil servants who are too comfortable in their jobs. It's unacceptable that a citizen has to spend a year building a garage or three years building a house; because when the time comes, they no longer have the motivation or the money. There's a lack of efficiency. The technical staff are in charge and can easily bring a town hall to a standstill.

Are we going back to being 'Manaclot'?

— In 20 days they'll have filled the biggest potholes, trust me. There's enough left over to fix the biggest ones and the smaller ones. Simply because we've already entered the pre-election period. Even so, even if it's just for propaganda purposes, it's welcome.

They portray immigration as Manacor's main enemy. What's that about?

— There's a mix of people here; some are well-integrated and pay taxes. But there's also uncontrolled immigration. Between 13 and 15% of the population in the municipality are immigrants, and this isn't sustainable in the long run. The problem is that soon our businesses won't even exist anymore; our local shops will close. They have an easier time starting a business. We all have to play by the same rules, or things won't work out. They pay less in taxes and are allowed to do things our people wouldn't be allowed to do.

Do you mind them asking him?

— I'm tired of being pitted against others. Religion, Islam, is a factor against integration, not people or nationalities themselves... Others respect our culture more. The ghettos are created by Moroccans.

Who are the others?

— Those who have a culture closer to ours and who try to integrate normally.

Why did the President of the Parliament, Gabriel Le Senne, come to Manacor a few days ago?

— The party always listens to what we have to say at the municipal level. That is, when a city councilor raises a significant issue every two weeks, the party headquarters in Palma develops a strategy to denounce it or publicize it on social media.

Do you agree that the video may be Islamophobic?

— I don't believe it. Whoever says that is mistaken. I completely agree with the video and its points.

Are there red lines the party should believe in?

— Throughout Spain, not just there. The language, Mallorcan, has been one of the biggest points of contention with the administration… that much is true. They understand that all communication must be in Spanish, but they need to see that we can't remove Mallorcan from our discourse, because it's part of our culture and way of life… and because it's something that distinguishes us from the Catalan they want to impose on us.

Because it's not the same…

— I will never defend Catalan… Mallorcan always! We often struggle to defend our own language. We present motions in Spanish so the message can reach everyone; then the speeches are in Mallorcan. No problem at all.

By the way, what is 'what is ours'?

— The fabrics with tongues, the baskets, or the palm fronds. Our traditions. For example, the feast of Saint Anthony has grown in popularity, but the blessings and the patron saint's feast day have declined. Traditions are being lost, like the simple pleasure of enjoying the fresh air outside and so many other things.

Is feminism another line of thought?

— There is violence on both sides. That's what the left refuses to understand. The protests and motions they pass are all the same; they will continue to abuse and kill women. If I knew that passing a motion or hanging a flag on the town hall balcony would prevent any more victims the next day, I would cross any red line, believe me. I wouldn't hesitate.

Do you feel the support of the party?

— He feels it 100%. Lessons in culture and Mallorcan identity that hurt me, but that we're going to dismantle.

Returning to the topic of immigration, he is often criticized for his wife being an immigrant.

— My wife is an immigrant and my children are of mixed heritage [he smiles]. I feel bad that because of this, people say I can no longer defend my beliefs. As I was saying, I have no problem with immigration if people come legally and work. As long as the obligations are the same for everyone. The criticism always comes from that same source. They appropriate a discourse and certain symbols…

What does that mean?

— We're the first to defend Spain, even to the death. I should be able to carry a Spanish flag to plenary sessions and nothing should happen... I have to be able to carry it because it's my life and my country... and because it's ours.

Everyone's?

— First come those here, then everyone else. If we're on a sinking boat, who would you save first? Your family or someone else? Obviously, you'd save your own first, and then you'd start saving others if you could. Aid programs only create a pull factor. They're rewarding a country of layabouts and criminals.

He recently said that if you were to govern, you would eliminate the Mallorquín School.

— Look, the Mallorquín School is a sect, I'm telling you straight. In reality, behind the name is a Catalanized and indoctrinating school. It existed before Franco and nothing happened. I'd like to return to that original model. I wouldn't abolish it, but I would change its system. It's indoctrination in disguise. I'd fire the conductors of that orchestra.

But there must be rules in writing… don't you agree?

— I agree, but there are words, expressions, or the definite article "salado" that should be able to be written and taught normally. It's like the victimization of war. We dwell too much on the past. We must learn more to live in the present and toward the future. We bear no responsibility for our ancestors' conflicts… it's shameful that we're still dealing with this. The same goes for language.

What has disappointed you most about politics?

— Above all, one issue is that things can't be changed overnight; the procedures take too long and are incredibly frustrating. On this point, I agree with what Manuela Carmena said. We need a more direct approach to politics, one that's less reliant on bureaucratic processes. And, to some extent, we politicians ourselves have created this situation.

I wasn't expecting that political reference.

— You see. For me, Mateu Puigrós, who was mayor of Sant Llorenç for so many years, is also a role model. Because he provided quick solutions for the town. It's not logical that to change a lightbulb or put a shovelful of asphalt over a pothole we have to go through a bureaucratic process.

Will it continue?

— If I have enough strength, yes… but not everything depends on me.

Have you ever been insulted in the street, or do people actually support you?

— All the councilors in Manacor do a lot of work. Believe me, we don't even earn 0.1 cents an hour... and yet we're still viewed negatively. But to answer your question: I've never been insulted in the street, quite the opposite.

Will he form a coalition with the PP in the next municipal elections if the numbers work out?

— I don't know if we'll need them. In any case, we don't have any problem with them; I think they have more of a problem with us. If it comes to that, it won't be good to do anything... I'm worried that the PP won't do the job and that the numbers won't add up.

Do you notice that young people are becoming more right-wing?

— I think that nowadays they can't find an opportunity in the system, which constantly shows them that it doesn't even give them the chance to rent a house to live in. It's not because they like the right wing more, but because they've realized that change is necessary. And the left wing doesn't see it. If the people were working, I'd be happy with sardanas or castellers... but until that happens, you first have to take care of what's yours.

Independent Portocristo?

— I disagree. The people of Manacor and Portocristo are the same; some live in one place but also have homes in the other, they work in one town and in the other, and their businesses are the same. Portocristo needs a good representative to look after it and the District Council, which only serves to waste time, should be abolished. I believe in unity, not in the segregation of citizens.

What would be your first measures if you were mayor?

— Repair all the streets and roads in Foravila properly. And if basic services aren't working, they should be taken over by the City Council.

And how do we get rid of the undocumented immigrants who are already there?

— Those that are already here could be legalized… but we can't admit any more. We can offer them work facilities, but I insist, no aid or privileges that we don't have.