Balearic Parliament President to Face Trial for Hate Crime over Tearful Incident
In a significant legal development, Gabriel Le Senne, the president of the Balearic Parliament representing the far-right party Vox, is set to stand trial for an alleged hate crime. This decision follows the Palma Court's dismissal of an appeal lodged by Le Senne's legal team and the Prosecutor's Office regarding a contentious incident that occurred during a parliamentary session.
The controversy erupted when Le Senne, in an apparent fit of anger, tore and destroyed a photograph of Aurora Picornell, a Republican victim executed in 1937. This action took place during a session where tension was already high, and Le Senne himself has acknowledged losing his temper amid the heated exchange with socialist deputies, Mercedes Garrido and Pilar Costa. The photograph had been displayed on their laptops as part of a discussion around the historical memory law, which the right-leaning politician had previously negotiated to repeal.
Judge Juan Manuel Sobrino ordered the trial earlier this year, permitting a brief window for Le Senne to post bail amounting to 40,000 euros. Three months later, he must comply with that ruling. This incident coincides with a politically charged atmosphere, as the Balearic parliament under the leadership of PP president Margalida Prohens has crafted a controversial agreement with Vox, including provisions against hosting unaccompanied migrant minors and promoting Spanish over Catalan.
Interestingly, this recent collaboration comes after the PP had initially allied with leftist parties to protect the historic memory law from repeal, suggesting deep political fractures within the coalition.
The ill-fated parliamentary session took place on June 18, 2024, where Le Senne's aggressive conduct led to the expulsion of two socialist deputies who were displaying images of the repressed on their laptops. In a bizarre turn, after the incident, the Balearic Parliament released a statement pointing fingers at the socialist deputies for provoking Le Senne’s actions, asserting that he had not intended to destroy the photograph but acknowledged that it would have been more suitable to use official parliamentary procedures to manage the situation.
The situation has sparked significant public outcry, raising concerns over respect for historical memory and the integrity of political discourse in the Balearic Islands. As Le Senne prepares for his trial, the case not only underscores the challenges of modern-day politics in Spain but also highlights the broader implications of historical narratives and political expression in a rapidly changing political landscape.
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