Junts Breaks With Sanchez – Is The End Of The Pedro Sanchez Government?

In a melodramatic move of events, nan Catalan pro-independence statement Junts per Catalunya, led by erstwhile Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, presently connected nan tally successful France, has unanimously decided to sever ties pinch Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s coalition authorities pursuing a high-stakes gathering successful Perpignan, France.

The decision, announced connected Monday, raises nan stakes importantly successful Spain’s already fraught governmental scenery and Sanchez’s grip connected power. According to Puigdemont, nan main rumor for nan existent rift originates successful nan Sanchez authorities not keeping his committedness to assistance successful nan independency of Catalonia.

Puigdemont addressed nan nationalist astatine 5pm CET to elaborate connected Junts’ adjacent steps, pinch nan party’s guidelines expected to ratify nan determination done an soul consultation. The move comes arsenic portion of increasing tensions betwixt Junts and Sanchez’s Socialist-led government, pinch nan existent Catalan President Salvador Illa pleading pinch Junts to workout “common sense” and informing that nan replacement to Sanchez’s activity is “regression”. Meanwhile, Emiliano Garcia-Page, president of Castilla-La Mancha and a salient Socialist, described Puigdemont arsenic a “prisoner” of Sanchez, while noting nan government’s dependence connected Junts, predicting that navigating nan 2026 electoral almanac without triggering wide elections will beryllium “very complicated”.

Sanchez powerfulness limited connected conjugation partners

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez managed to cling connected to nan executive position aft nan past predetermination aft achieving less seats than nan guidance statement PP by negotiating pinch nan mostly of location parties who won seats, specified arsenic Bildu (Basque Country), Sumar (formerly Unidas Podemos), Canarian Coalition, and astir notably Junts per Catalunya, nan statement of nan notorious separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who donated their support of 7 seats and tipped nan equilibrium for a Sanchez-led coalition.

The Socialist Party (PSOE) has truthful acold refrained from commenting connected nan announcement, pinch spokesperson Montse Mínguez stating that nan statement awaits further specifications from Puigdemont’s upcoming address. In contrast, Sumar, a conjugation partner successful Sanchez’s government, expressed optimism astir uncovering communal ground. Culture Minister and Sumar spokesperson Ernest Urtasun stressed nan government’s committedness to speech and confirmed that nan 2026 fund connection will beryllium presented to Congress sloppy of Junts’ decision.

Accusations of putting conjugation partners’ liking earlier country’s

Pedro Sanchez has been accused of cow-tailing to nan demands of Junts astatine nan disbursal of different regions successful Spain. The nonaccomplishment of support from Junts, which has been threaded before, could unfastened nan doors to a ballot of nary confidence, and spark a wide election. 

The ripple effects of nan rupture are already being felt beyond Catalonia. In nan Canary Islands, authorities spokesperson Alfonso Cabello expressed dream that nan divided would not jeopardise a decree aimed astatine advancing nan region’s agenda, which is nether mentation for submission to nan cardinal government. Meanwhile, Belen Lopez, wide caput of nan CCOO waste and acquisition national successful Catalonia, sharply criticised Junts, accusing nan statement of “fuelling anti-politics” by undermining cardinal initiatives for illustration reduced moving hours, nationalist work investments, and lodging and carrier projects.

As Spain braces for nan fallout, each eyes are connected Puigdemont’s imminent statement, which could further reshape nan country’s governmental future.

What happens next?

Short-Term Consequences: Paralysis successful Congress/Legislative Gridlock: Without Junts’ support, Sanchez’s authorities (PSOE + Sumar: 152 seats) falls short of nan 176-seat absolute mostly needed for cardinal bills. Expect guidance to nan 2026 budgets, already promised for Congress sloppy by Sumar’s Ernest Urtasun, who stressed speech but warned of a PP-Vox alternative.
Regional friends for illustration ERC (7 seats), PNV (5), EH Bildu (6), BNG (1), and CCa (1) whitethorn not afloat compensate, arsenic they’ve shown selective support amid their ain grievances.

End of Secret Talks: The monthly Swiss-mediated negotiations betwixt Junts and PSOE, ongoing since 2023, are terminated, removing a backchannel for Catalan concessions.
PSOE’s Cautious Response: The Socialists, via spokesperson Montse Mínguez, are withholding remark until post-Puigdemont specifications emerge, dismissing it arsenic “rhetoric” while keeping “the manus extended” for talks. Sanchez has privately urged restraint, highlighting his government’s benefits for Catalonia and informing of “regression” nether a right-wing rule.

While Sanchez’s grip connected powerfulness and antiauthoritarian instruction weakens, we tin but hold to to spot really nan guidance reacts and if a mobility of nary confidences put forward.