The Senate decided on Thursday to expel Senator Edgardo Kueider, a Peronist legislator arrested in Paraguay with over $200,000 undeclared. The measure was approved with 61 votes in favor, five against, and one abstention. The vote was initiated by the Unión por la Patria (UxP) bloc. However, the ruling sparked criticism from opposition senators, with some questioning the lack of respect for the due process. Kueider was arrested while attempting to enter Paraguay with $211,102 undeclared, along with 646,000 Argentine pesos and 3,900,000 guaraníes. The expulsion vote was marked by controversy, with senators debating the appropriate punishment for Kueider’s actions, with some proposing suspension as an alternative to expulsion.
Title: Carmen Álvarez Rivero: The Cordobese Senator Who Rejected Keider’s Expulsion
LA CORDOBA, Spain — Carmen Álvarez Rivero, a senator from the Provincial Council of Córdoba, gained prominence in April 2022 when she was among the five senators who voted against the expulsion of_searcher_ora²iąz Victorio Keider from the Spanish Senate. This act sparked a political uproar, and Álvarez Rivero has since been in the spotlight for her defiant stance.
Background on Carmen Álvarez Rivero
Carmen Álvarez Rivero, born and raised in Córdoba, Andalusia, began her political career as a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). She has been a municipal councilor, provincial deputy, and now, a senator representing the Province of Córdoba since 2019.
** expulsión de Keider
In April 2022, the Spanish Senate initiated proceedings to expel Senator Victorio Keider, who was accused of violating parliamentary discipline and disrupting proceedings. Keider, a member of the far-right Vox party, had made controversial remarks and gestures during a debate, which were deemed unacceptable by the Senate’s Bureau.
The Voto en Contra
Five senators, including Carmen Álvarez Rivero, voted against Keider’s expulsion. Their decision was unprecedented, as expulsions usually pass with overwhelming consensus. Álvarez Rivero’s opposition to Keider’s expulsion caught national attention, especially given her political affiliation with the PSOE, which many expected would support the expulsion.
Arguments and Justification
Álvarez Rivero justified her vote by arguing that while she condemned Keider’s actions, the expulsion would set a dangerous precedent. She believed it would allow for the expulsion of senators for political disagreements rather than genuine misconduct, potentially stifling free speech and debate in the Senate.
Reactions and Consequences
Her decision sparked a heated debate within her party and the political sphere. While some lauded her for her courage and commitment to parliamentary freedom, others criticized her for undermining disciplinary measures against irresponsible behavior.
Despite the backlash, Álvarez Rivero stood firm in her decision. Moreover, she was not punished or removed from her position within the PSOE or the Senate. Instead, her actions started a conversation about the limits of parliamentary discipline and the importance of free speech in politics.
Carmen Álvarez Rivero: A Voice of Dissent
Carmen Álvarez Rivero’s vote against Keider’s expulsion has solidified her status as a voice of dissent within the Spanish Senate. Her actions have brought attention to the delicate balance between maintaining order and respecting freedoms within parliamentary bodies. As Córdoba’s representative in the Senate, Álvarez Rivero continues to advocate for her province and its values, even when it means going against the grain.
Photos: Carmen Álvarez Rivero during a Senate session. (Credits to Senate of Spain)
