The emergence of Trump and Spanish politics

MadridThe times we are experiencing on a global scale and particularly in Europe are a difficult challenge, but they could also be an opportunity for many things, both internationally and within Spain. At the European level, we have begun to react by applying a principle that has been mentioned a lot here over the last two years: "making a virtue out of necessity." But in relation to Spanish politics there are no signs of change. Quite the opposite. The most classic patterns and the most deep-rooted tics and behaviours are repeated, with an exhibition of what we could call lifelong prejudices. I say this particularly because of the reactions to the agreement between the government and Junts on the matter of delegating powers on immigration, which has taken first place in internal political activity and has temporarily left behind the discussion on the proposals regarding regional financing and the debt of the communities. They say that Spain has once again dramatically broken down because of these initiatives, in a debate in which foregone conclusions replace the analysis of the result of a long negotiation. It is a waste of energy that, given the surrounding reality, is becoming a waste of time and a mechanism for channeling frustrations and revenge between parties.

Since we saw the images of Donald Trump booing and threatening Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House, we have been accepting that we are facing a new reality. We do not know where it will lead us, but we have seen that everything has begun to move and that decisions that until recently were unsuspected will have to be made. The entire European strategy to confront the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been blown up by the design of a political and business elite that has achieved power in the United States after having won – let us not forget – 75 million votes in the last American elections. Following trips by two former Spanish presidents to Washington, I had the opportunity years ago to cover appearances by the visitors with the host on duty on the same stage.

Felipe González liked Ronald Reagan – the Spanish president said that Americans are a bit childish – and of course José María Aznar sold him saliva alongside George Bush. When the magnificent interpreter from Moncloa translated the words of one and the other, it was all praise and crossed congratulations. One could believe that in the Oval Office nothing else was allowed, that if these rules of diplomatic conduct had been breached, all kinds of alarms would have gone off on the walls of that historic office. Seeing now the singular Donald Trump threatening a European interlocutor, president of an invaded country, attributing to him the responsibility of a possible third world war, has meant a frenetic and vertiginous leap in an unknown direction. Trump himself described the episode as a very televised scene, with immediate repercussions for the entire planet. And shortly after he told the Capitol that God had saved him from an attack in order to change the destiny of America. What suffering the enlightened ones always produce!

The future

For all these reasons, I was saying that I am struck by the contrast between the dimension of the decisions that will soon have to be taken in all the European countries and the debates that we continue to have here with preconceived and repetitive schemes. It is true that there must be room for everything, that the crisis of transatlantic relations, being a problem of extraordinary gravity, must not make us lose sight of the internal pulse of the country. But a different period should open and the parties should be capable of reordering styles and priorities. Sanchez's call The fact that the PP and PSOE have joined forces in Catalonia for a major initiative – with the exception of Vox – should mean a change of climate, especially between the two organisations that have governed Spain for the last four decades.

We are still far from the possibility of a government in which the PP and PSOE participate, the last time they joined forces for an initiative of great importance was to apply Article 155 in Catalonia, after the referendum of 1 October, prohibited by the Constitutional Court. Without thinking of coalitions so alien to local political traditions and the natural permanent debate between right and left, what the situation would advise is to seek approaches to influence the discussion at a European level with a national position. The government is late in explaining to the parties its participation in the dialogue between the main leaders of the EU. And the dynamic of constant disqualification of the adversary should be left behind.

Sánchez should treat Feijóo in the way that corresponds to the leader of the opposition and make the relationship with him unique on matters of State. And Feijóo should reciprocate by avoiding clichés every time the government negotiates and obtains results with the partners of Sánchez's investiture pact. We will see what happens and how the regional financing, the debt of the communities and the delegation of powers over immigration in Catalonia end up. And we give priority to the response to be prepared to provide security in Europe in the face of the understanding –and this is a fearsome coalition– between Trump and Putin.

Instead, what we have seen is a video of the PP presenting Sánchez, Ábalos, his ex-partner Jessica and others in his entourage enjoying a supposed "paradise of corruption". I am not saying at all that the plot led or promoted by the former Minister of Transport should not be investigated thoroughly. As he must also end up knowing the truth about Ayuso's partner and his businesses and alleged tax crimes. But the PP and PSOE should give us a break and emphasize finding a national response to the economic and security challenges posed by Trump's return to power.

Constitutional loyalty should not be asked exclusively of sovereignists and separatists. This demand must be extended to all political forces. Podemos has long been waiting for an opportunity to punish Sánchez, and now the opposition to the agreement on immigration and the increase in military spending gives it an opportunity. But citizens would like from everyone a less tactical and more responsible policy, which is not reduced to the mere struggle for power.