MADRID, Spain – The government pushed until the very last moment to pass the Royal Decree Law ‘Antiapagones,’ aware of the widespread support for it within the energy sector. However, within the People’s Party (PP), a firm “no” vote was consistently held by its leadership, including Alberto Núñez Feijóo.
Key decisions on energy policy were influenced by external pressures and internal party dynamics.
- The PP leadership, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, maintained a firm stance against the ‘Antiapagones’ Royal Decree Law.
- The government’s efforts to secure the decree’s passage were complicated by the absence of key allies like Unidas Podemos, Junts, and the BNG.
- The decision was partly influenced by the strong backing for the decree from a majority of energy sector companies.
- The ongoing investigation into Cristóbal Montoro and his former firm, ‘Economic team,’ cast a shadow over the PP’s stance.
- The resignation of PP deputy Noelia Núñez, who allegedly misrepresented her university studies, further heightened internal party pressure.
The PP leadership reportedly did not see any strategic advantage in aiding Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez with a crucial vote. With other legislative items, such as labor reforms and judicial career access, off the immediate agenda, the focus fell on the energy decree championed by Third Vice President Sara Aagesen.
A significant factor influencing the PP’s decision, according to party sources, was the considerable interest shown by most energy sector companies in seeing the decree enacted. Some of these companies have recently been linked to the investigation of Cristóbal Montoro, who faces charges in Tarragona, due to their past engagement with his firm, ‘Economic team.’
Court documents reportedly indicate that investigators are examining the renewable energy sector’s situation in prior years to understand why certain companies sought services from Montoro’s firm, which he founded. This context fueled internal discussions within the PP, with some leaders and deputies stating, “It makes no sense for us to appear alongside the electric companies at this time. And if there are pressures, even more so. We are not here to respond to anyone’s pressures. Only consumers, who are citizens. That is the only message we can send now.”
This sentiment reflects a broader feeling within the PP that their leader sought to avoid any perception of endorsement in the current climate. The decree was seen as sensitive, and the government had reportedly been trying to salvage it until the final moments. The PP maintained an air of ambiguity regarding their voting intentions until the very last minute, despite having already decided to reject it.
This approach meant that lawmakers were reportedly unaware of the official party line until it was announced through media outlets. The party’s leadership justified this deliberate lack of clarity as a tactic to avoid tipping off the Ministry of Ecological Transition, which was bracing for a significant legislative defeat. The PP’s refusal to support the executive, especially when its usual partners—Unidas Podemos, Junts, and BNG—voted against it, underscores the conservatives’ pivotal role. Furthermore, the ongoing Montoro case appears to have profoundly impacted the party’s calculations.
The recent resignation of deputy Noelia Núñez, who allegedly falsified her university studies, is seen by many PP officials as a consequence of the prevailing “context” and “pressure” surrounding such decisions. “Montoro is crushing us at this specific moment,” lament members of the PP. “The bar is set very high because the corruption associated with Sánchez and the opposition we must provide leaves no other margin.” There is palpable concern within the party that the former minister’s legal troubles will continue to reverberate.
Why did the PP vote against the government’s energy decree? The PP leadership cited the ongoing investigation into Cristóbal Montoro and a desire to avoid any appearance of endorsing the current government amid broader political pressures.
