This Saturday one of those people whose imprint has contributed to making us all a little better has left us. I sincerely believe that it is the most positive thing that can be said of a senior State official, committed to the Government of his country, for a long period of time, enough to gather the achievements and failures of all human endeavors.
First of all, my condolences to his family, friends and the members of the Socialist Party governments who had the opportunity to get to know him more directly as a person and as a fellow worker.
My relationship with him was based on the opposition of ideas and approaches typical of democracy. For this reason, I was able to appreciate from very close his pragmatic character, not at all sectarian about him, his dialogue and conciliatory tone that was sometimes more disliked among his own ranks.
For years, I have had the opportunity to confront arguments from the Tribune of the Congress of Deputies, from the rooms of the Economy and Finance Commissions and in private meetings at Calle Alcalá 7 in Madrid. And now, that he is no longer with us, I can confirm that there were never any outbursts or bad manners that are so common today in Spanish public life.
If I have to summarize his personality, at the sad moment of his farewell, it is that of a convinced Europeanist and a determined member of the Liberal Socialism current that Alfonso Guerra recently summarized in this newspaper.
Spain's entry into the then European Economic Community was a milestone in our modern history. In addition to an extraordinary revulsion on our economy, it reformulated the content and focus of our political system. And in his subsequent role as European Commissioner he had to manage the first major crisis of the Stability and Growth Pact as a result of the breaches of the founding countries, Germany and France.
His personality and his deep democratic conviction made him understand that his positions in politics were provisional, perhaps a key to his longevity in them.
This is not the time, nor is it for me to take stock of his management of public affairs. Yes, it is to thank you for your determination and determination to improve the lives of your fellow citizens.
It has been an honor for me to meet you and I am grateful for the thorough treatment and mutual respect that we have always had. Rest in peace. Until forever.
Cristóbal Montoro was Minister of Finance in the governments of José María Aznar and Mariano Rajoy.
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