Besides being a great writer, Benito Pérez Galdós (1843-1920) was also a politician. In 1886 he was a representative of Puerto Rico in the Congress of Spanish Deputies, and was also a deputy in the constitution of the republican and socialist government at the beginning of the twentieth century.

 

Apparently, Galdos wanted to raise the level of political discussion, but his efforts did not achieve the goal. “Nothing can be done in this house, it turns its back on what is really in the interests of the people. My efforts have been useless,” the Canarian writer said.

According to him, egoism, partisanship and political courtesy took precedence over the interests of the citizens. At first he thought he could improve some things, but he quickly realized that it was not possible to push for effective measures, and that attempts to delve into the discourse were also useless. Over a hundred years, though, there are things that don't change.