Pressure on the Government: a risky strategy
Recently, Carles Puigdemont has ignited the Spanish political debate with a controversial proposal: to urge the Prime Minister to submit to a vote of confidence. This initiative, promoted by Junts, arises in a context of growing tensions with the PSOE, which, according to Puigdemont, has repeatedly failed to fulfill the commitments made in Brussels.
The reasons for disenchantment
The Junts leader has openly expressed his frustration with unfulfilled promises, such as the use of Catalan in the European Union and the implementation of the amnesty. Puigdemont considers this situation to represent a key moment in the legislature, although his proposal may not have the necessary support to prosper.
Pedro Sanchez’s dilemma
The Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, is in a difficult position. Accepting the confidence vote would mean having to guarantee a majority in Congress, which would involve great risk. Furthermore, the idea of being forced to rely on the votes of Junts, a partner with whom relations have deteriorated, is not attractive.
A risky move without guarantees
Puigdemont’s proposal, far from being a real challenge, may be perceived as a maneuver without a solid contingency plan. If he really wants the Government to find itself in a compromised situation, he could consider other alternatives, such as a motion of no confidence, but this would imply collaborating with opposition parties such as the PP and Vox, an option that seems unattractive.
A lockdown scenario
The current dynamic seems to be locked in a vicious circle. Junts tries to present itself as a decisive actor on the political scene, but in reality it runs the risk of remaining in the shadow of the PSOE, which continues to exercise power without the need to make substantial concessions.
Reflections on the political future
With polls indicating a possible loss of support for Junts, it is crucial that Puigdemont re-evaluates his strategy. His choice to put pressure on the PSOE may end up playing against his interests, conveying the idea that it is the PSOE that controls the course of Catalan politics. Thus, his move may end up strengthening Sanchez’s position rather than weakening it.
Politics as chess
In this political scenario, the power game is presented as a real chess game. With each move, the consequences can be unpredictable, and both Junts and the PSOE should carefully consider their next moves to avoid falling into a situation of political paralysis that benefits other actors in the panorama.
