Spain on the brink: Catalans break with Sánchez – government in danger!

Spain on the brink: Catalans break with Sánchez – government in danger!

Spain's political arena is currently anything but stable. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces a massive challenge after the Catalan Junts party, led by Carles Puigdemont, canceled its support pact with the Socialist government. This could have significant consequences for the future of his left-leaning minority government, which once relied on cooperation with junts. Antenna Unna reports that the decision to terminate was made unanimously by Junts' 50-person board in Perpignan. A corresponding vote from the party base is due in the next few days, although approval is considered likely.

But what are the reasons behind this political change? A significant point of contention was the controversial amnesty law for Catalan separatists, which failed in parliament. This shows a fragile majority in Sánchez's government and is a sign of the unstable political situation in Spain. The conservative and right-wing populist opposition as well as Junts itself have positioned themselves against this draft law, which led to it being referred back to the Justice Committee. This decision highlights how fragile support for Sánchez is and could further stir the tide of discontent n-tv reported.

Consequences for the Sánchez government

Without the votes of Junts in the “Congreso de los Diputados,” Sánchez will lose his majority and thus the necessary support for important projects. Experts are already warning of the impending risk of a vote of no confidence, which could become a reality if the Junts cooperate with the conservative People's Party (PP) and the right-wing populists from Vox. Pedro Sánchez could be forced to call new elections to get out of the political misery.

The main reason for the break with Junts appears to be the failed attempt to recognize Catalan as an official EU language, as well as the inadequate implementation of the amnesty law, which has failed to apply in several cases, including for Puigdemont, who has been living in exile since 2017. The amnesty law itself, which theoretically provided for the pardon of around 400 Catalans, ultimately failed after months of protests in parliament against resistance from the opposition. The daily news describes that despite the passage of the law, the legal problems for the affected separatists have not been resolved and the proceedings could still be challenged in court.

A look into the future

Given the tense political situation in Spain, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop further. The looming vote of no confidence and possible new elections are opening a whole new chapter in Spanish politics. The coming days will be crucial in confirming or ending Sánchez's longing for stability amidst these turbulent times. The political stage in Spain remains hotly contested and we will keep a close eye on further developments.