Por Redaccion 
LEÓN/OVIEDO, 14, (EUROPA PRESS)
The mayor of León, José Antonio Diez, has deemed the formation of a Leonese autonomy «unfeasible» without the involvement of El Bierzo. As a result, he has announced upcoming meetings with political representatives from the region to discuss this matter.
The agenda for these future meetings will include the Bierzo Regional Council and the Bercianist party, Coalition for El Bierzo, as well as other institutions and entities interested in fighting for a territorial situation that will enhance the quality of life for citizens and help connect the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
In statements reported by Europa Press, the mayor of León emphasized that El Bierzo must play an «active and essential role» in the steps towards achieving autonomy for the province of León; otherwise, the process will be «a pipe dream.»
It is worth noting that on Tuesday, the mayor presented a legal report outlining the roadmap for the so-called ‘Lexit’, extending an olive branch to Bercian representatives to participate in a process that would involve Article 144 of the Constitution.
Following this proposal, Ponferrada’s deputy mayor and general secretary of Coalition for El Bierzo, Iván Alonso, expressed readiness to engage in dialogue with Diez, contingent on León «sharing benefits and resources» with the region.
In this context, he highlighted the Bercianist party’s demand for the University of León to offer the Medicine degree program from the first year at the Ponferrada campus.
Regarding this demand, the mayor of León clarified that the location of these university studies falls outside his jurisdiction and argued that this issue is not the «Achilles’ heel» for progress.
According to the mayor of León, «there are many other important developmental issues that may be even more significant for the future than whether or not we have a Medical School.»
«MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EL BIERZO»
The mayor once again extended a hand to his Bercian neighbors, insisting that «their situation will not improve within the current territorial framework» and inviting them to be part of «a new framework, constitutionally possible,» which, according to his argument, would offer many opportunities to the region.
He also stated that future discussions will address topics like «the historical claim of El Bierzo as a province,» clarifying that he is not in a position to determine its validity.
«The province has wealth, and if it is not exploited and developed, we all lose. Therefore, we need El Bierzo to be strengthened, provided with infrastructure, grow, and improve as one of the essential focal points in this province,» argued Diez.
The mayor of León concluded by advocating for a new territorial model that, according to his proposals, «will generate synergies» with autonomous communities like Asturias, Galicia, even northern Portugal, or Castile itself, in the fight to «enhance connectivity, development, and equality among citizens.»