MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez narrowly avoided a humiliating parliamentary defeat on Wednesday, although the refusal of one of his Catalan nationalist allies to support him raised doubts about the stability of the country's new government.
Sánchez, whose Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) formed a governing coalition with the leftist Sumar in November, wanted to push through Congress a series of measures contained in three separate laws that had already been introduced by decree in December.
The law, which required parliamentary approval to remain in force, included the expansion of anti-inflation measures, which were passed by a majority of one vote. A separate law, also adopted, included changes to the administration of justice and the civil service needed to ensure the release of a 10 billion euro tranche of EU recovery funds.
However, the Catalan independence party Junts' abstention throughout the session and opposition from the far-left Podemos to some proposed economic measures led to the government losing the third vote, which included an increase in unemployment benefits.
The passage of the anti-inflation measures means that subsidies for public transport and staple foods, cuts in VAT on energy bills and pension increases will not be reversed, as the government had feared.
Ahead of the votes, Junts had called for several changes to government measures, including the introduction of sanctions for companies that moved their headquarters from Catalonia in 2017 and subsequently refused to return there. It is believed that around 5,000 companies have left the region due to political unrest caused by a failed independence effort.
The support of Junts' seven MPs, as well as several other nationalist parties, was crucial to Sánchez's inauguration in November. In return, his PSOE submitted to Congress a controversial amnesty law that would benefit Catalans facing legal action over separatist activities. Among them is former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, Junt's most prominent figure, who lived in Belgium.
“We didn’t come here with a commitment to stability and both [Junts and PSOE] I embarked on this adventure knowing the risks,” Miriam Nogueras of Junts told the chamber, leading many to believe the party would vote against the government.
However, Junts said that by abstaining she had managed to negotiate some last-minute concessions, including greater Catalan control over immigration issues.
The closeness of the vote has underscored the fragility of Sánchez's government and fueled criticism of his reliance on junts.
“It is clear who is in charge: it is Puigdemont,” said Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative Popular Party.