Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez narrowly avoided a potential parliamentary defeat on Wednesday, though the reluctance of one of his Catalan nationalist allies to offer support raises concerns about the stability of the country’s recent government.
Sánchez, leading the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) in a coalition with the leftist Sumar, faced a crucial moment as he sought approval from Congress for several measures previously introduced by decree in December.
Among these measures was the extension of anti-inflationary policies, which passed by a slim one-vote margin. Another approved legislation involved alterations to the management of the judiciary and civil service, deemed necessary for the release of a €10 billion tranche of EU recovery funds. Despite the approvals, the hesitancy of a key Catalan ally poses challenges for the government’s stability.
Despite the passage of anti-inflationary measures, the Spanish government faced setbacks during the parliamentary session as the pro-independence Catalan Junts party abstained, and the far-left Podemos opposed certain economic proposals. The government suffered a defeat in the third vote, which included an increase in unemployment benefits. a potential parliamentary
While the approval of anti-inflationary measures secured subsidies for public transport and essential food items, along with maintaining reductions in VAT on energy bills and pension increases, the loss on the third vote marked a setback for the proposed economic measures.
Prior to the session, Junts had pressed for changes to the measures, including sanctions for companies relocating their headquarters from Catalonia in 2017 and refusing to return. Approximately 5,000 firms left the region amid political upheaval following a failed independence attempt.
Junts’ abstention, despite previous demands, was driven by last-minute concessions, including increased control for Catalonia over immigration-related matters. This close vote highlights the vulnerability of Prime Minister Sánchez’s administration and sparks criticism regarding its reliance on Junts.
Critics argue that the influence of Junts, particularly its prominent figure Carles Puigdemont, emphasizes the fragility of Sánchez’s government, with some stating, “It’s clear who is in charge: It’s Puigdemont,” as remarked by Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo.