Debuting deputy PM calls PP "anti-social"

Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba accused the Popular Party (PP) on Wednesday of assuming hypocritical positions by defending social policies as an opposition force but forgetting about such programs when they are in government.

Debuting in a congressional debate as the government's number-two man after his appointment last week, Rubalcaba described the PP as an "anti-social party."

The debate focused on the government's planned pension reform, which includes a freeze next year, but later turned to a PP-led inquisition against Rubalcaba, who the party claims has been responsible for many alleged covert actions against the PP in his role as interior minister.

Rubalcaba said that he regretted "the stream of insults and accusations."