The PP admits a rapprochement with Junts in August before Feijóo’s investiture

2024-01-04 10:17:53

A meeting that took place between some leaders of the Popular Party (PP) and representatives of Junts during the month of August, prior to the investiture of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has become known. Daniel Sirera, leader of the PP in Barcelona, ​​has confirmed the meeting after some media reported it, and points it out as a mere informal meeting that sought to bring positions closer together, but which ended up showing insurmountable discrepancies.

Casual coffee with divergences

Sirera recounted the meeting held with Albert Batet, president of Junts in the Parliament of Catalonia, and Josep Rius, spokesperson for the independence party in the Barcelona council. The purpose of the meeting, according to the popular leader, was to learn about the demands that could influence Junts’ support for Feijóo’s investiture. However, Sirera stated that the demands presented were similar to those presented by Carles Puigdemont to the PSOE: a referendum and amnesty.

Sirera asserted in various media that no negotiations were initiated during the meeting, but that his role was limited to listening to the demands, which he considered “totally incompatible with any dialogue process.” Furthermore, he stressed that after that meeting, contact with Junts was not resumed at any level.

Feijóo’s strategic pivot

Alberto Núñez Feijóo had previously admitted “indirect” contacts with representatives of Carles Puigdemont to seek to normalize the relationship with the independence movement. However, both internal and external pressure forced the PP leader to backtrack on his intentions to formally meet with Junts representatives in Congress.

The rejection of the formal meeting was motivated, according to internal sectors of the party, by the political risks of a public image with the independence party. Feijóo justified his change of position by arguing the public conditions presented by the former Catalan president, who conditioned his support on an amnesty law and progress towards self-determination.

Opacity and demands

The opacity around these meetings has generated reactions in the political sphere. The PSOE has demanded transparency from the PP about the frequency and topics discussed in the meetings with Junts, requesting public clarification of said meetings. From the Government, the Popular Party has been asked to clarify its relations with Junts after the general elections, raising the possibility of using this issue as part of the campaign for the upcoming Galician elections.

This unexpected meeting between the PP and Junts, although dismissed as a mere approximation of positions, has generated an unusual political stir. The revelation of these informal contacts leaves open questions about the relationships between parties with opposing positions, which could influence the political scenario in the future.