Together they abstain on the PP's extension of nuclear power plants, sparing Sánchez a headache

MadridThursday's votes in the Congress of Deputies were the first to test the relationship between Junts and the PSOE, after Carles Puigdemont's party have decided to break ties with the socialists. However, the anticipated clash did not materialize because the laws at stake were part of the list of exceptions drawn up by Junts, which included regulations on which it already had a verbal agreement. Thus, the Spanish lower house has given the green light to the Consumer Protection Law, as well as the Sustainable Mobility Law.

Although the outcome was known, the anticipation was evident, and the underlying reason lies in some of the amendments to the Sustainable Mobility Law that the PP had introduced in the Senate, where it holds an absolute majority. Among these amendments were two thorny issues for the Spanish government: the freezing of Aena airport fees and the attempt to leave the closure of nuclear power plants up in the air. The first has failed.Together they already voted against it in the Senate because they believed it jeopardized investment in El Prat.—But the amendment that sought to prevent the closure of nuclear power plants was also derailed. In this latter case, Junts abstained, something they had already done in the Senate, but had they voted in favor, the amendment would have passed.

The decision by the Junts members, therefore, provides a lifeline for the Spanish government, which avoids a major headache regarding the nuclear timetable. The question was whether they would vote in favor, given the pressure from the mayors of the Catalan territories affected by the plant closures, but also whether they would reaffirm their stance of breaking with the government, thus adding another problem for Pedro Sánchez. Sources within Carles Puigdemont's party in Madrid indicate that the amendment raised legal doubts and that it is an issue that needs careful consideration. "It's not about giving the PP a blank check," they add. However, they reaffirm that the clash with the Socialists is total.

The vote wasn't against it either, because they have always been in favor of reconsidering the closure of nuclear power plants. "It's 60 percent of the energy consumed by Catalonia," Junts spokesperson in Congress, Míriam Nogueras, reminded the media.

What impact will the PP's proposal have?

In any case, the impact of the PP's amendment was limited, according to various sources consulted by ARA. The amendment focuses on the ministerial orders that establish a definitive cessation date for the operation of nuclear power plants. It seeks to prevent the National Safety Council (CSN) from having to rule on a request to extend the plant's operating life, as it must do now. This move contradicts the PP's own actions in 2012, when it did consider the CSN's opinion when closing the Garoña plant (Castilla y León). However, even though the ministerial orders introduce a date for the cessation of nuclear activity—in the case of Almaraz (Extremadura), it is 2027—this does not prevent the companies that own the plants from requesting an extension of their operating life in accordance with regulations. Therefore, it does not prevent the current schedule from being extended.

In fact, in the case of Extremadura, Naturgy, Iberdrola and Endesa have requested itThe request is already on the Spanish government's desk. "The amendment creates confusion and introduces uncertainty into the procedures," say sources at the Ministry for Ecological Transition. A view shared by parliamentary sources. Ultimately, the amendment does not automatically imply an extension for nuclear power plants, because "the right to request an extension is not created by a ministerial order, but by current regulations," the same sources insist.

Balancing the lines with nuclear power

This is not the first time Carles Puigdemont's party has moved to extend the lifespan of nuclear power plants. Last February, Junts, and also ERC, abstained on a PP proposal urging a review of the nuclear power plant closure schedule. Both parties did so under pressure from the mayors of the Camp de Tarragona region. In fact, this Wednesday ERC voted against the amendment, unlike their abstention in the Senate. Had they maintained their original vote, the amendment would have passed, along with Junts' abstention. Whether they intended to or not, they have also given Sánchez a boost.

It should be remembered that, in Catalonia, the first nuclear power plant scheduled to close is Ascó I (2030), followed by Ascó II (2032), and finally Vandellòs II (2035). The areas affected by the closure have been lobbying for some time to have this reviewed, and this is where the political balance of power comes into play, even within the Socialist Party itself. The affected regions fear the potential impact, for example, on employment and the economy.

Extremadura, the first step

Despite Thursday's vote, the closure of nuclear power plants is an issue Sánchez will have to address. The Spanish government has always defended the current closure schedule and has only been open to revising it if the companies owning the plants did not cross certain red lines. This is the current situation with Almaraz. After a long back-and-forth, the owners of the Extremadura plant have requested a three-year extension of its operating life (until 2030), accepting some of the central government's demands. Beyond the technical issues and the study process that has now begun, the PSOE faces elections in Extremadura on December 21. There, the affected areas are also wary of the closure, and in fact, the Socialist candidate for the Extremadura regional government, Miguel Ángel Gallardo, expressed his certainty that the extension will be granted.