He is not a PSOE militant. It is not on the socialist lists for the general elections on July 23. But Nadia Calviño has appeared this Monday in Ferraz, the national headquarters of the PSOE. Pedro Sánchez promotes his figure to value the management of his Government in the last five years, he wants to focus the debate on what they define as “a responsible economic policy that works, and some social advances that are reaching all citizens “. And in this presentation, the highest economic manager of the Executive boasts that in the socialist mandate, United We Can hardly have had influence in her area, despite the fact that, for example, Yolanda Díaz is the head of Labor.

It is not the first time that Calviño, a minister without a socialist card, attends a meeting at the headquarters of the leadership of this party. It has done so on several occasions, including to coordinate the economic message with those responsible for the different territories. This Monday he went to Ferraz to participate, together with other ministers, in a meeting to articulate the electoral program of the Socialist Party for the general elections on July 23. But it is the first time that Calviño has appeared as a socialist representative since Ferraz.

“Going or not on the lists are personal decisions that have nothing to do with my commitment, since I returned to Spain in 2018, with Pedro Sánchez. I am committed to this project, delighted to collaborate and move forward with our president”, stated the First Vice President of the Government. In his speech, he did not outline or anticipate any of the measures that the PSOE will take in its electoral program, and he has focused his message on what he defines as “a responsible economic policy”, economic growth, job creation and that the measures implemented in the pandemic and as a consequence of the war in Ukraine “affect all areas of the lives of citizens.”

And that, furthermore, “it is true that the minority partner [of the Government] has had practically no influence on economic policy”. And this despite the fact that on more than one occasion there have been clashes within the coalition on account of economic initiatives and, on occasions, the purples have finally seen how the balance tipped towards their side.

It is a speech with which the PSOE intends to remove or calm the misgivings that may mean that a coalition with the purples is repeated, in this case with Sumar, after the general elections. They seek to transfer that “with things to eat” the socialists rule and will rule.

The PSOE exhibits and sharpens Calviño because it considers that it is time to take advantage of the absence in the PP of a leading figure in economic matters. “In front we don't know what, or who or for what”, has been the mantra that Calviño has repeated on more than one occasion. The head of Economic Affairs has demanded that the PP hold a debate focused on the economy. It happens that precisely this Monday, according to Sánchez's proposal, the first face-to-face between the President of the Government and Alberto Núñez Feijóo should be held, since he wanted six from here to the elections, and it will not take place.

In her appearance at the socialist headquarters, the first vice president has confirmed, as she did days ago, the Executive's willingness to renew the VAT reduction on fresh or basic food, which goes from 4% to 0% and 10% at 5%, depending on the type of staple food. A measure that was approved in December 2022 and expires on June 30. Calviño avoids getting his fingers caught and does not confirm 100% that this will be the case, but in his words and reflection he makes it clear: “We will maintain the VAT reduction on basic foods as long as we do not reach more appropriate price levels”. The decision will be made based on inflation.

The Government is confident that food prices will show a new drop in June. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1% in May in relation to the previous month and cut its interannual rate by nine tenths, to 3.2%, its lowest level since July 2021, due to the moderation of food prices and lower fuel prices. Calviño has not figured out what the appropriate price level is.