MEP Blasts Zapatero over property abuses

Euro MP Marta Andreasen presented a strong case in both the English and Spanish language on behalf of those people who are facing the loss of their homes in Spain.

The Spanish Prime Minister was grilled in the European Parliament yesterday by the Euro M.P. Marta Andreasen from the UK Independence Party. She has unique and ideal background to be able to present the case - Argentine born, now a Spanish citizen and elected as a member of the European Parliament for the UK Independence party in 2009.

Speaking on Wednesday in the chamber in Strasbourg directly to Prime Minister Zapatero, as part of the debate on the Programme for the Spanish Presidency, she asked how Spain thinks it can organise the European Presidency if it remains unable to find a solution to the real estate abuses on its own territory.

She made specific reference to the British couple, Helen and Len Prior, who saw their home in Vera, Almería, demolished two years ago, and promised she would do all she could to convert the EU threat of sanctions against Spain over real estate abuses into a reality if the problem is not solved by the end of the Spanish presidency in six months time.

Other MEPs Glenis Willmott (Labour) and Diana Wallis (Liberal Democrat and Vice-President of the European Parliament) also appealed for a solution to urban abuses and land grab scandals on behalf of British victims. Michael Cashman, MEP, has already written a personal appeal to the Spanish Prime Minister stating that “It is the Spanish government alone that can bring an end to these abuses”.