Sánchez is open to unblocking Junts' law on multiple recidivism

MadridPedro Sánchez is now open to unblocking one of the agreements with Junts. This concerns the proposed law on repeat offenders, which is currently stalled in the Congressional process. The first step was taken in September 2024, and it has been frozen for a year now, with several extensions granted for the amendment period. "We are willing to process this legislative initiative and complete what can be completed from the legislative branch to address one of the main problems when we talk about security, which is repeat offenders," said the Spanish president, in response to a question from the PNV spokesperson, Maribel Vaquero. Sources from Junts told ARA that they do not have confidence that the PSOE will take this step.

One of the breaches by the PSOE that Puigdemont denounced from Perpignan on Monday is this proposed law, which aims toughen the punishment for repeat offendersThis initiative passed the lower house with votes from the PSOE, PP, Vox, and PNV, while ERC abstained and Sumar, EH Bildu, and Podemos opposed it. Socialist sources admit that the problem with this proposal is that it implies a division between the two coalition partners, and at a time like this, the PSOE wants to avoid passing measures with the PP. To move forward with the process, the committee for the text must be convened, and pressing this button depends on the chair of the Justice Committee, a member of the PSOE.

Junts' break with the PSOE announced on MondayThus, it has played a significant role in the question time session in the lower house. Alberto Núñez Feijóo alluded to it when he asserted that Sánchez "lied to Puigdemont," although the conservatives are glossing over this rift because, in a way, the pressure of whether or not to present a motion of no confidence rests on their shoulders. On Tuesday, the Junts deputies sought to demonstrate the rift by changing their vote from yes to abstention on a PSOE bill to increase fines for parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities. They also voted in favor of considering a PP initiative regarding the regulation of the public prosecutor's office.

Sánchez does not respond to Feijóo

Beyond that, Wednesday's question time in Congress was marked by Sánchez's refusal to answer Alberto Núñez Feijóo's questions. The Spanish president never answers the PP leader's questions, but today, coinciding with the first anniversary of the devastating floods in the Valencian Community, he found the perfect excuse. "In a parliamentary democracy, the Spanish government must be held accountable. But today is not the day. Today is the day for the victims of the floods in Valencia. Today is a day for empathy and remembrance of the victims, and we will have time to discuss these issues and many more," the president said, referring to the Ábalos case. Later, Sánchez did answer the PNV's question, after the leader of Podemos, Ione Belarra, explained that the Spanish government has allocated almost 8 billion euros to reconstruction efforts in the Valencian Community.

This afternoon there is a state funeral in Valencia where Sánchez and Feijóo will meet again, and in Congress several members of the Spanish government have arrived dressed in mourning. With a low and serious tone, Sánchez sidestepped the questions. The conservative president reproached him for the fact that a year ago, when the tragedy occurred, the Congress's governing board, with a majority from the PSOE and Sumar, suspended the scheduled question time. However, it maintained the agenda item regarding a change in the election of the RTVE board of directors. In Feijóo's words, "the assault" on RTVE. In his speech, the PP leader accused Sánchez of "lying" about everything and predicted that Sánchez would also lie this Thursday in the Senate. "If he tells the truth, it will be your downfall," the PP leader emphasized.