"The country can't stand any more masterstrokes": new clash between Junts and ERC over the vote on the Sabadell takeover bid

BarcelonaThe vote of the advisor to the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) proposed by Junts endorsing BBVA's takeover bid for Sabadell (although with conditions) still has a tail. Following criticism over the fact that Pere Soler, appointed a few months ago, did not distance himself from the majority position in the Spanish body, former president Carles Puigdemont has come out to defend his party's position. "The role of the minister appointed at the proposal of Junts per Catalunya has been maliciously confused. We do not and will not defend the interests of a particular financial institution, because we have no interests in either of the two at stake," he wrote in a message to X. However, the Junts leader has admitted that there is a "discrepancy between what the minister believed." However, despite the former president's explanations, ERC accuses the members of the judiciary of not having put spokes in the wheels of the takeover bid from within the CNMC pending the final decision, which corresponds to the Spanish government. The Ministry of Economy must decide in the coming weeks whether to raise the matter to the Council of Ministers.

Amid the uproar over Soler's vote, ERC Secretary General Elisenda Alamany came out this Sunday to attack the Junts: "The endorsement of the takeover bid against Sabadell is very bad news; also that it is being done with votes that should defend Catalonia, businesses, and our workers in social matters and not in the message. "I can't stand any more masterstrokes," she added. ERC spokesperson in Congress, Gabriel Rufián, joined her, pointing out that a minister appointed at Junts' proposal voted against what the party maintains.

Together, however, they are shaking off the criticism. Puigdemont maintains that the barbs against the party for the vote of Soler, Director General of the Police during the October 1 referendum, "have nothing to do with the financial operation at stake." His solo vote, he added, would not have changed the final verdict of the CNMC's competition chamber, made up of four councilors and the president, Cani Fernández. "But it doesn't matter: if it's an issue that can be used to attack Junts, all available artillery is mobilized. From right to left. From outside and also from within," he lamented. The Junts leader also questioned the Spanish government, which has so far opposed the takeover bid, maintaining its position. "If they don't keep their word, and the takeover bid is successful, the conditions set by the CNMC will give Catalan and Balearic SMEs coverage and protection above all other Spanish companies," he argued. This is what the secretary general of Junts, Jordi Turull, also did, who asserted that the final report gives the Spanish government "legal protection" to oppose BBVA's takeover of Sabadell.

Comunes promises to "put pressure" against the takeover bid.

In addition to Junts and ERC, Comuns also came out this Sunday to raise their voices against the hostile takeover. Small and medium-sized businesses in Catalonia, as already occurred with the takeover of the savings banks. "We will pressure so that it is not authorized," she said, referring to Sumar's position within the Spanish government. On the other hand, Vidal took the opportunity to defend Yolanda Díaz's reduction of the working day. Faced with the reluctance of Junts, which is considering presenting an amendment to the whole, she defended "continuing negotiations until the last moment" to avoid the veto of Carles Puigdemont's party, which is asking for exclude SMEs and self-employed workers. The MP noted that changes could be negotiated during the parliamentary process. And although she believes the position of some employers' associations is "decadent and anachronistic," she asserted that the Ministry of Labor is willing to introduce bonuses for microenterprises to hire new workers.