MadridJosé Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has a wish: to have a conversation with Carles Puigdemont in Girona. Zapatero confessed this on Monday morning during a speech at the Ateneo. In Madrid, despite the day's agenda—ranging from the political crisis in the Valencian Community to the start of the trial against the Attorney General—media attention confirmed that the speaker was one of Pedro Sánchez's key advisors. Everything the former Spanish president says must be understood as part of behind-the-scenes work to ensure the success of this legislature. Even today, and despite Junts' break with the PSOE"Dialogue must be incessant, tireless," argued the man who doesn't hide the fact that the right wing once accused him of breaking up Spain, and also of handing it over to the terrorist group ETA. "[For the PP] with me, Spain broke 187 times [...] With me, the Spanish nation surrendered to ETA, and it was ETA that surrendered."
Among all the tasks Zapatero has carried out behind the scenes, maintaining a smooth relationship with the Catalan regional government stands out, which has included repeated meetings with Puigdemont in Switzerland. Discretion and cordiality. These are the two words Zapatero has used to describe it. Will a return to Catalonia be possible, and will these meetings take place there as well? "With the events that are happening every day in Spain, it's risky [to make predictions], but yes, I believe so, and it would be very positive. I'm eager to speak with [Carles] Puigdemont in Girona, and not in Switzerland," Zapatero revealed, adding that he had another wish: that the Constitutional Court would take into account Puigdemont's appeal [against the Supreme Court] for being granted amnesty. "The spirit of the amnesty law is clear," the former Spanish president argued.
However, whether or not this wish becomes a reality no longer depends on him, nor on Pedro Sánchez's government, Zapatero implied. On the other hand, some progress regarding compliance with the so-called Brussels agreement between the PSOE and Junts does depend on it. "The government will comply with the Catalan agreement in Europe [...] It will take time, but it will be achieved," Zapatero maintained. He also included the agreement to delegate immigration powers in Catalonia in the same category of promises. standby After Podemos' rejection in the Congress of Deputies, Zapatero, if this move comes to fruition, is among those who believe the legislature will run its full term and Pedro Sánchez will remain in power for some time. "There's no one like him," he asserted to an audience that immediately showed its appreciation by applauding.
A "definitive" break for Junts
When asked about José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's remarks, Junts spokesperson Josep Rius insisted that the break is "definitive." In a press conference this Monday after the party's permanent committee meeting, Rius insisted that Spanish President Pedro Sánchez "must reflect" on the Junts' decision to break the agreements with the PSOE. "He needs to take a long-distance view because there are still two years left in this legislature," he asserted. The spokesperson made an implicit reference to the glasses Sánchez debuted in the Senate, to pressure him to say "how he plans to govern." He also acknowledged that the break is definitive and that Sánchez should, in any case, honor the commitments, although he expressed "doubt," reports Roger Palós.
However, they will approve "the issues already agreed upon," and he welcomed Sánchez's current "hurry" regarding the law against repeat offenders. In fact, he reiterated that Junts "has moved into opposition," and that they will not budge from this position. "There will be no further negotiations with the PSOE on any initiatives they may present going forward," he concluded.
