Sánchez pampers Junts and defends amnesty for Puigdemont and "the Brussels agreement."

MadridPedro Sánchez boasted this Wednesday about the stability of his government. He did so to defend himself against the accusation by PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo that the Spanish government was using the Palestinian cause to cover up its problems: "You don't defend any noble cause, you just want to cover up your shame," Feijóo retorted in the face-to-face session. The PP member was referring to the lack of a general budget in the State, but also to the open legal battles that are cornering the Socialists. "During these seven years [of government] there have been seven prime ministers in France, six in Austria, and five in the United Kingdom, and when we talk about national [Spanish] politics, the truth is that you are the third-leading leader of the PP. [...] This is a government that governs with stability and effectiveness," Sánchez replied.

However, the truth is that this stability that Sánchez boasts about does not depend on any comprehensive amendments the Spanish government can make to the PP's argument. Rather, the key role is played by the partners who allowed the investiture, particularly Junts and Podem, who have become a thorn in the side of the Deputies. In fact, this Wednesday's session came a week after the clash over the reduction of the working day, especially between Junts and Sumar, the minority partner, after the members of the judiciary voted against it.

However, this dependence was evident in the members of the judiciary's questioning of the Spanish president during the control session, with Sánchez urging patience despite threats from Carles Puigdemont's party. During her speech, Junts spokesperson in Madrid, Míriam Nogueras, did not hesitate to read the riot act to the Spanish Prime Minister, reciting a list of grievances, headed by the failure, in Junts' opinion, to comply with the agreements reached with the PSOE in Brussels in November 2023, within the framework of the Spanish investiture in Geneva in the coming hours. "Do you think you will be able to continue governing [if you do not comply with the agreements]?" warned spokesperson Nogueras, in Sánchez's speech.

Pending agreements

However, the Spanish president has attempted to tone things down and dispel the sense of derailment. Sánchez has maintained that his government is making progress in terms of the agreements reached, although he also acknowledged that there is still work to be done—he cited the official status of Catalan in Europe as an example. He also reiterated that "the will is to comply with the Brussels agreements," which, according to Sánchez himself, entails applying the amnesty to "all those affected" by the events of 2017. That is, also applying the amnesty to the former president of the Generalitat and leader of Junts, Carles Puigdemont.

But the Spanish prime minister's attitude doesn't come at any time. Beyond what has happened with the reduction of working hours, one of the flagship measures of the legislature, or with the rejection this Tuesday of an anti-corruption office, as proposed by Sumar, next Tuesday, Congress will debate and vote on the consideration of another major pact between the PSOE and Junts: the delegation of powers to immigration. But the proposal comes with a fatal blow from Podemos's rejection.

Socialist ranks maintain that they have complied and cannot be held responsible for votes that do not come from the PSOE or its minority partner in the government, Sumar. Thus, they are rubbing their hands with glee regarding the decision of the purple party. Junts also refuses to assess whether the PSOE could put more pressure on Ione Belarra's party. In fact, Junts sources in Congress acknowledged this Tuesday that they are the ones who have tried to bridge the gap with Podemos, so far without success, although they remain open. Spanish government sources indicate that if the proposal ultimately falls through, other avenues could be sought to approve those issues related to the agreement that fall outside the scope of the law, and then continue discussions to see if "something in common" can be found. "The problem is that Podemos doesn't want to get into the matter," the same sources indicate.

What does Podemos want?

The truth is that while the interpellation of the regional council members has served to demonstrate that Sánchez does not want to add insult to injury, in the case of Podemos, it has been made clear that tension is rising. This Wednesday, the purple party accused the Spanish government of lacking ambition regarding its measures against the Israeli government—the Sánchez administration's intention is to approve the decree announced a week ago at next week's Council of Ministers meeting, after resolving the final technical details. In fact, it has even filed a complaint for malfeasance against the Ministry of Economy, Business, and Trade for not ending the arms trade with Israel.

"Why haven't you broken off diplomatic relations with Israel? Why have you been on the wrong side of history?" Podemos spokesperson in Congress, Ione Belarra, rebuked the First Vice President and Minister of Finance (PSOE), María Jesús Montero, with whom relations are not particularly fluid. Belarra has accused the Socialists of engaging in "cheap electioneering" with the ads.

"No one understands your position, neither on this issue nor on others," Montero responded, accusing the Podemos leader of being "the only person in the international community who thinks Spain has been lukewarm on Gaza." "You may have a political strategy, but don't lie," Montero rebuked her. Some voices in the Congress of Deputies suggest that Podemos is already in election campaign mode, and that this not only means "erasing" the Sumar brand, but also trying to step on the heels of the PSOE.