Spain's Government Faces Crisis as Catalan Separatists Withdraw Support

Spain is currently navigating a significant government crisis as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's leftwing minority government loses a crucial ally in the Madrid parliament. The Junts party, led by prominent Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont, has decided to terminate its support pact with Sánchez's Socialist Party (PSOE). This decision was made unanimously by the 50-member board of Junts during a meeting held in Perpignan, France, as reported by the state broadcaster RTVE and other media outlets. The move will likely be ratified by the party base, with a vote expected to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. If confirmed, Sánchez will no longer possess a parliamentary majority needed to pass essential legislation and projects, as he relied heavily on the seven Junts deputies in the Madrid Assembly, despite support from other smaller parties. Notably, the impending downfall of Sánchez's government is not solely a result of this dissolution. There exists a theoretical possibility of a vote of no confidence orchestrated by the opposition, which includes members of the conservative People's Party (PP), led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and the far-right Vox party. The situation is contentious, as it remains unclear whether Junts would support such a motion, which would necessitate cooperation between parties that are staunchly opposed to Catalonia's independence movement. Sánchez’s recent struggles are underscored by the backdrop of a July 2023 snap election where Junts and other non-coalition parties helped facilitate his reelection, despite PSOE trailing the PP in votes. The rupture between Sánchez's government and Junts can be attributed to multiple factors. One significant grievance was Sánchez's failure to advocate adequately for the recognition of Catalan as an official language in the European Union, a promise that faced resistance particularly from German allies in Brussels. Moreover, the implementation of the amnesty law for Catalan separatists has generated frustration. Although some exiled leaders, such as Puigdemont, have returned to Spain with the law's enactment last year, judges have not revoked existing arrest warrants for some individuals. Puigdemont himself, a pivotal figure in the independence referendum of 2017, remains in exile. This evolving political crisis poses considerable implications not only for Sánchez's administration but also for Spain's geopolitical landscape, particularly regarding Catalonia's future and its relationship with the central government. As the vote on the party base's decision on the rupture approaches, attention will undoubtedly focus on the potential outcomes and their ramifications for the ongoing tension between Spanish authorities and Catalan separatist movements. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2