The effects of a weak government: Spain reduces its aerial firefighting resources

Many Spaniards believe that having a weak government like the current one doesn't really affect their daily problems, but that's not the case.

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In March 2018, when he was in opposition, Pedro Sánchez stated: "A government without a budget is a government that governs nothing." He was referring to the inability of Mariano Rajoy's government to approve its accounts, as it was in the minority and did not have sufficient parliamentary support. Sánchez seems to have changed his mind after coming to power, as he has done with so many other issues: the last budgets approved were those of 2023, in 2024 he gave up on presenting them and the same situation could be repeated in 2025.

Although some may forget, extending the budget year after year not only violates the government's constitutional duty, clearly established and with an express deadline by Article 134 of the Constitution, but also means it cannot adequately respond to new needs. We are now experiencing a clear example of this.

This Thursday, Vozpópuli points out that in 2024 the government mobilized 50 aircraft to fight forest fires, but in 2025 the number has been reduced to 42. This figure refers to the aircraft contracted with private companies, which are added to the 14 CL-215T and CL-415 amphibious aircraft of the 43rd Air Force Group. In addition to these resources, there are 200 aircraft contracted by the autonomous communities, according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

The aforementioned media adds: "What is the reason for this reduction? The lack of Budgets", pointing out this explanation provided by the Ministry of Ecological Transition: "The sizing of the device must be adapted to this scenario, postponing a potential additional reinforcement until the moment in which the budgetary framework is clarified".

Obviously, this reduction in resources has consequences. Vozpópuli points out that in 2024, 47,711 hectares of forested land burned in Spain: this year we have already seen more than 60,000. Of course, it is easy to blame the fires on climate change, but public administrations have a duty to have the necessary resources to fight fires. If Sánchez is incapable of fulfilling his duty as a leader, what he should do is call elections, no matter how much he has acquired a taste for the Moncloa Palace and traveling in official Falcon planes.

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Photo: Ejército del Aire. An archive photo of a Canadair CL-215T of the 43 Group, the UD.13-27/43-27.