Sánchez in Junts: tits, tits
Sánchez's proposals to "reboot" the Spanish government's relations with Junts are reminiscent of this classic Pujol-era repertoire of "titas, tites." "Titas, tías" is essentially a synonym for "a cube of fish." It's true that Jordi Pujol uttered this expression in a fiery, vindicating speech, like an expectoration of pent-up anger ("Who do they think we are?" he exclaimed), but in reality, the fish and the "titas"—chickens—are more or less caricatured formulations of the most established tradition of Catalan nationalism's relationship with Madrid, and of its preeminent, decisive influence in achieving things (read: funding, read: powers, read: recognition) for Catalonia's self-government.
It can be assumed that, if Sánchez came out to announce the proposal to Junts In an ad hoc interview on TVE, it wouldn't be a case of jumping headfirst into an empty pool: it's understood that there have been preliminary inquiries, discreet talks, and all the necessary prior negotiation protocols in urgent situations. The PSOE urgently needs to break the deadlock imposed by Junts, which has placed the Spanish government in a dead end. And it also needs to prevent Junts from being swayed by the PP (or by Catalan business leaders). as Feijóo has asked them) to support a motion of censure, an unlikely but not impossible idea.
In Junts, therefore, they can enjoy the sweet moment of being celebrated by both sides. However, their room for maneuver is not extensive, and the price they risk paying is also high. After the Advocate General of the European Union gave the green light to the amnesty, everything suggests that the CJEU will do the same, but the chances of the amnesty being applied, and therefore of Puigdemont's return, necessarily depend on the votes of the majority that invested Sánchez (a potential PP-Vox government seems likely to revive the PP and Vox). On the other hand, it is true that polls show that support for the Socialists in Madrid electorally weakens Junts compared to Aliança Catalana. But the question is whether supporting a motion of no confidence, besides also weakening them, wouldn't make them the pawns of the Spanish ultranationalist right. And not exactly for nothing: in exchange for a new phase of judicial, police, media, and other forms of harassment.
Meanwhile, every time Ione Belarra and the Podemos circle poison the atmosphere by treating Junts as if it were a neo-fascist party, they are only shooting themselves in the foot. It's a maximalism as stubborn and futile as that perpetrated by the right-wing independence movement, which insists on placing the Comuns, Sumar, and the Socialists alongside the PP and Vox. Anyone who thinks they will benefit from pushing polarization to the extreme will only be playing into the hands of a resentful and spiteful Spanish right wing, which yearns, as they themselves say, for a reconquest. And this has always meant a purge.
