Margallo and Podemos ‘get on wonderfully’ on Gibraltar

José Manuel García-Margallo, Spain’s acting Foreign Minister, said he would “get on wonderfully” with Podemos when it came to Gibraltar, citing common ground with the left wing party on their criticism of the Rock’s economic model.

During an exchange in the Spanish Parliament, Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias poked fun at Sr García-Margallo’s “performance patriotism” and said it had been ineffective because Gibraltar “continues to be a tax haven”.

In response, the Spanish minister said he would provide Sr Iglesias with a study prepared by his ministry that demonstrated “the extent to which Gibraltar has made use of favourable taxation” to become the world’s fourth economy in terms of GDP per capita.

He claimed he could provide the Podemos leader with “figures on money laundering” and alleged that Gibraltar had also damaged the environment, adding he was certain Podemos would support the Spanish government’s actions in these areas.

“I am going to get on wonderfully with Podemos,” he said. “I know what we agree on and what we disagree on.”

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