A last minute change-of-mind from the Spanish government this Tuesday evening after being hit by an avalanche of criticism from all sides, raising the possibility that the necessary parliamentary vote to extend Spain's state of alarm might be defeated. And at the centre of it all: the lockdown question on which families all over Spain were expecting some good news, the promised permission for children to be able to go outside after five weeks locked up, a hope that the Pedro Sánchez government initially poured cold water on. If on Saturday the prime minister promised the country that within ten days children would be able to "enjoy some time outdoors every day", the cabinet announced at midday today that this right would only be granted to accompany adults on errands such as shopping trips to the supermarket or the bank. No chance of just going for a walk. Finally, the Spanish government gave in to the pressure. "Children under 14 will be able to go for walks" from this Sunday. This was confirmed by health minister Salvador Illa this evening.
The initial announcement of not permitting children to take walks if it was not for specific already-allowed tasks had outraged not only the opposition groups - on whom Sánchez depends to be able to extend the lockdown until May 10th - but some within the coalition government itself. Left-wing Podemos and its associates Catalonia in Common forced a review of the measure. After an (in) tense meeting this afternoon, the correction was duly made. At eight o'clock, the minister Illa addressed the public. He avoided talking about a change of plan, as no detailed document had yet been presented with the details of the measure, although in the government spokesperson's press appearance at noon it already became clear that permission to take a stroll was not what was contemplated.
This weekend the health ministry will issue an order - still to be drafted - "so that children under 14 can go for walks." Illa has confirmed that, in the end, this walk will not have to justified by any other need.
The extension of Spain's state of alarm, in the balance
The Sánchez government's rethink comes 12 hours before a parliamentary session in the Spanish Congress, during which the PM needs the support of opposition groups in order to approve the new decree to extend Spain's state of alarm for the third time, now until May 10th. It is precisely this decree that enables the health minister to take measures to ease the lockdown which are considered necessary.
During his appearance, Salvador Illa spoke positively of the Spanish executive's management of the coronavirus situation since the implantation of the state of alarm, on March 14th. “The measures taken have been a success,” he concluded.
Iglesias has his say
The behind-the-scenes battle within the coalition government is hardly a secret. Pablo Iglesias went on social media to make it clear that the change of plan was possible thanks to pressure from his party. Moments before minister Illa's appearance, the Podemos leader and deputy PM sent a tweet stating that he "welcomed" the adoption of the measures that his party had proposed. "It's common sense," he said. Common sense which his ally Barcelona mayor Ada Colau had demanded in mid-afternoon.
Niñas y niños deben poder salir a la calle para respirar al aire libre, con paseos cortos y controlados. Es de sentido común. Con esta medida se consigue un equilibrio entre la protección frente a la pandemia, y el bienestar emocional de los niños y las niñas.
— Pablo Iglesias 🔻 (@PabloIglesias) April 21, 2020
Translation:
"Girls and boys must be able to go outside to breathe fresh air, with short, controlled walks. It's common sense. This measure strikes a balance between protection against the pandemic and the emotional well-being of children."- Pablo Iglesias