The African Swine Fever (ASF) crisis has once again placed the Government's crisis response capabilities at the center of the debate. This sector is vital for the Catalan economy, representing almost 21% of the industrial GDP and 40% of Spanish exports. President Illa appeared at his own request to defend his executive’s response, despite numerous criticisms from opposition parties, especially Junts.
“"For the moment we have managed to contain the outbreak, foreign markets endorse the measures adopted, and the Government will remain vigilant and transparent always, and we will not give credence to false speculations."
The main reproach from the opposition focused on the Government head’s trip to Mexico immediately after the first ASF positive was confirmed, and the request for intervention by the UME (Military Emergency Unit). Junts and ERC questioned Illa's leadership, arguing that the crisis required his presence in Catalonia from the outset.
“"The Spanish Army, present in Catalonia, and the President of the Generalitat, absent from Catalonia. It seems like a metaphor for the Catalonia some would want."
The origin of the outbreak was also debated. The “theory of the sandwich” launched by the Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, was deemed a “serious irresponsibility” by Mònica Sales. Furthermore, several groups (PP, Comuns, CUP, and Aliança Catalana) questioned the independence of the investigation, as members of IRTA CReSA, the laboratory located in the outbreak's ground zero, are involved.
In his final reply, Illa defended his model of “inclusive leadership,” justifying his presence in Mexico because “no human life was at risk” and assured that the country has enough resources to manage the crisis without his constant physical presence. He reaffirmed that, as of today, “nothing” allows concluding that the origin of the outbreak is a lab leak.
