The Balearic Parliament has approved this Monday a non-legislative proposal with which praises the figure of María Corina Machado, whom it considers worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to democracy in Venezuela. The proposal has gone ahead with the votes of PP and Vox, while MÉS per Mallorca, Més per Menorca and PSIB have voted against.
On the same day that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in Oslo -an event in which Machado was not present-, the autonomous Chamber wanted to vindicate her work, underlining that, despite the political persecution in her country, “she has not abandoned Venezuelans and has shown that the peaceful struggle is stronger than any dictatorship”.
“She is a brave, firm and determined woman, who represents the hope of a people subjected to a corrupt and violent regime”, defended Cristina Gil, deputy of the PP, in her speech before the Institutional Affairs Committee of the Parliament.
The initiative also urges the central government to publicly recognize Machado and support her candidacy for the Nobel Prize. In their argumentation, the signatory parties highlight her “tireless work” in favor of democratic rights and her role in the search for a peaceful transition in Venezuela.
Prohens adds to the recognition: “Pain has become strength”.
The president of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, also wanted to express her support for Machado through the social network X. In a message published on Monday, she expressed her admiration for the opposition leader, stating that “she has turned the pain of her country into a serene, courageous and persevering force“.
“Today, from the Balearic Islands, we feel close to those who are resisting there, to those who have had to leave and to those who have suffered persecution”, said Prohens, who also pointed out that the phrase pronounced by Machado’s daughter during the Nobel Prize award ceremony –“Venezuela will breathe again“- sums up the longing of millions of people.
The leader of the Autonomous Executive called for the award to serve as “an embrace to the Venezuelan people” and as a global reminder that one should not be indifferent to injustice.
Political division in the Parliament
The parliamentary session has been marked by ideological division. While the PP and Vox have supported the proposal on María Corina Machado, the progressive parties have expressed their rejection.
“Not a single congratulations, not a single gesture of support from the Government of Spain. Not even the institutional respect that a figure like him deserves”, lamented Cristina Gil.
In the same commission, the Parliament has rejected two proposals of the PSIB, one on the condemnation of hate speeches and another on democratic memory. Both were knocked down with the votes of PP and Vox.
