awaits Sánchez's assurance of adherence to agreements amidst the search for a new negotiator; Junts demands guarantees
Time's Up: Junts Lays Down the Law to Sánchez
In a move that could shake up Spain's political landscape, Junts — Catalan pro-independence party — has given President Pedro Sánchez an ultimatum, demanding assurances that he'll stay true to the Brussels agreement as they look forward to resuming talks.
The real deal went down during a chat with the press, where Junts' secretary general, Jordi Turull, voiced out their concerns about the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and hinted at mistrust. Sánchez sat down with Turull and Miriam Nogueras, Junts' parliamentary spokeswoman, to discuss the way forward following the resignation of Santos Cerdán over the Koldo case.
Despite Sánchez's pledge to complete the legislature and honor the agreement with Puigdemont's party, specifics on his game plan were scant. This left Junts in a bit of a lurch, forcing them to schedule more meetings to figure out Sánchez's next moves and strategies.
"The President said he wants to continue, but he didn't specify how or what measures he plans to implement — not only regarding this scandal but all the other breaches," Turull explained, hinting at the PSOE's waning trust. "We were the first to call for a confidence vote due to the breeches with Catalonia," he added.
While Turull kept the specifics of Junts' next move under wraps, he made it clear that Catalonia's interests would be their top priority. As of now, they'll give the PSOE a bit of breathing room to find a replacement for Cerdán in the negotiations.
A Tense Relationship
Turull hasn't been shy about Junts' desire to meet with Sánchez ASAP to gauge the impact of the PSOE crisis on the fulfillment of investiture agreements, especially after Cerdán's departure. Cerdán was instrumental in negotiating the historic amnesty law in Brussels, which secured Catalan support for Sánchez's investiture and the rest of the legislature.
However, Puigdemont warned that "stability is something that must be earned day by day" with regular meetings to monitor the agreement and the help of an international mediator. This condition has been an elephant in the room since the beginning, resulting in constant political clashes.
Despite Junts holding only seven seats in the Congress of Deputies, their votes play a crucial role in Sánchez's minority government. The ongoing negotiations for each 'folder' and legislative proposal have led to unprecedented moments, such as when the government snatched a victory with a last-minute agreement with Puigdemont's party, who maintained their 'no' during the debate.
A Dance of Doubts and Decisions
Recent episodes have illustrated the complex political relationship between the two parties. For instance, Junts unleashed a proposal last December calling for Sánchez to face a confidence vote due to his failure to implement agreements swiftly, such as transferring migration competencies to Catalonia, official recognition of Catalan in the EU, or the application of amnesty. After months of back-and-forth, Junts decided to withdraw it following the recommendation of the international mediator to avoid a breakup, but they made their skepticism towards Sánchez crystal clear.
With Cerdán's departure and Junts' trust at an all-time low, the Catalan party is keeping a close eye on Sánchez's reorganization within the PSOE's ranks. "In Madrid, we don't have friends, we have interests," Turull warned. "We'll defend Catalonia's interests, regardless of the PSOE's internal turmoil. We won't shy away from making tough decisions," he added.
Sánchez Face-Off
Sánchez will face a string of meetings this week, starting with parties ERC, Bildu, and PNV on Wednesday. He'll lay out his plans and gauge their support following the report by the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard implicating Cerdán for allegedly receiving bribes for illegal awards.
Sánchez is also scheduled to appear in Congress on July 9 to address the UCO report and the Leire Díez case during a plenary session. However, opposition parties have called for an immediate explanation in a specific session on corruption cases, arguing they shouldn't have to wait three weeks for an explanation.
Note: The tense relationship between the Spanish Government and Junts Catalunya is marked by growing mistrust and demands for guarantees after the resignation of Santos Cerdán, the main interlocutor between the parties. Junts has threatened to withdraw support for the Spanish government if their demands for the transfer of fiscal autonomy and respect for the Catalan language are not met.
- Mistrust and Demands for Guarantees: Junts has expressed their distrust in the Spanish government and has demanded guarantees that the investiture agreements, including the transfer of 100% of taxes to Catalonia, will be fulfilled. This demand is part of a broader insistence on compliance with the Brussels Agreement, which has been interrupted[5].
- Conditional Support: Despite the tensions, Junts has not withdrawn its support for Sánchez's government outright. However, their continued backing is conditional on the government meeting their obligations under the existing pacts. This includes addressing Junts' concerns regarding fiscal matters and the status of the Catalan language in the EU[5].
- Political Consequences: The fragile nature of Sánchez's minority government means that any significant breakdown in relations could jeopardize the government's ability to pass legislation. This situation is further complicated by the ongoing corruption scandals plaguing the government, which have heightened political instability[3][4].
- Corruption Scandals: The ongoing corruption scandals have weakened Sánchez's position and increased pressure on him to maintain support from key partners like Junts. The European Commission is also scrutinizing these scandals, which could have broader implications for Spain's political and economic stability[4].
Overall, the agreement between the Spanish Government and Junts remains on shaky ground due to these factors, with significant challenges ahead for maintaining stability and cooperation. As a result, the coming weeks may prove to be critical for Spain's political landscape.
- The Catalan pro-independence party, Junts, has conveyed its mistrust towards the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), as stated by Jordi Turull, the secretary general of Junts, during a press conference.
- Junts has set conditions for their continued support of President Pedro Sánchez's government, insisting on the fulfillment of the Brussels Agreement, specifically in terms of the transfer of 100% of taxes to Catalonia and respect for the Catalan language in the EU.
