Puigdemont Weighs Collapse of Spanish Coalition, Threatens “Hot Autumn” for Sánchez Government
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A potential shift in Catalan politics is raising the stakes for Spain’s fragile coalition government.carles Puigdemont, leader of Junts per Catalunya and former President of the Generalitat, is poised to lead his party away from it’s current agreement with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s PSOE, signaling a possible political crisis and a period of heightened instability.
Puigdemont, who currently resides in exile in France to avoid arrest in Spain, convened a leadership summit in Perpignan this week to address the deteriorating relationship with the central government. The move comes two years after Junts agreed to support Sánchez’s investiture, a deal that promised concessions to Catalonia in exchange for parliamentary backing. However, Puigdemont now believes the socialists have fatigued thier capacity to deliver on those promises.
The looming decision will be put to a vote among Junts’ membership, though few anticipate significant opposition. “Puigdemont’s verdicts are taken as the word of law,” sources within the party suggest, indicating a high likelihood of a break with the PSOE.
A Decade of Conversion and Unfulfilled Promises
The current situation represents a significant evolution from Puigdemont’s early political career. A decade ago,he led Convergència i Unió to victory in Girona,campaigning on a platform of completing the work begun in his first term. In a 2014 interview with TVE, he acknowledged that “with four years of government there have been things left to do.” Now, while no longer mayor, he asserts his claim as President of the Generalitat in exile, and the political landscape has dramatically shifted with Convergència evolving i
The party’s standing is also a factor.Junts currently holds a 5.16 rating according to the CIS – the party is also concerned about the rising popularity of the far-right Catalan Alliance, a trend detrimental to the Junts brand.
Nogueras has publicly criticized the government for perceived failures in addressing issues such as multiple recidivism and home occupations, accusing them of prioritizing “ransoms to some stars of the flotilla” and focusing on symbolic gestures like “wrapping oneself in the flag of Palestine” over pressing domestic concerns.
Junts has demonstrated a willingness to disrupt the status quo,as seen in January when their rejection of an omnibus executive decree froze benefits for 12 million pensioners and suspended public transport bonuses. The party argues it successfully reframed the narrative, portraying the PSOE as incapable of reaching agreements.
The party differentiates itself from Esquerra Republicana, which advocates for a “plurinational left” alliance to counter the rightward shift in Spanish politics. Junts insists its sole mission is to defend “the interests of Catalonia and the Catalans,” transcending traditional left-right divides.
Unresolved Grievances and a Precarious Future
Despite securing an amnesty law – a significant victory achieved through pressure from Junts – Puigdemont has yet to personally benefit from the measure, necessitating the party executive meeting to be held in France to avoid potential arrest. Furthermore, key demands such as the transfer of immigration powers to Catalonia and official recognition of Catalan in the EU remain unmet.
The PSOE maintains it has made good-faith efforts to fulfill the agreements, but Junts perceives a “lack of political will.” The party leadership believes the current Executive is unstable and risks dragging down any allies who offer support. Nogueras has also warned that any evidence of illegal financing within the PSOE will be brought to light, potentially further destabilizing the government.
the situation is complicated by the ongoing detention of Santos Cerdán, a key PSOE negotiator in talks with Junts. As in October 2022,when Junts militants voted 55% in favor of abandoning their previous coalition with ERC,the expectation is that Puigdemont’s vision will prevail. Dissidence within the party is currently minimal. The coming weeks will determine whether Spain is headed for a political crisis, and whether Puigdemont’s gamble will reshape the country’s political landscape.
