MADRID – The political party of Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez has reached an agreement with the Catalan separatist party. However, the formation of the government has not yet been completed.
Just three months after the elections in Spain, the incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has come one step closer to forming a new government. Sánchez’s Social Democrats (PSOE) have reached an agreement with the Catalan separatist party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), as both parties said.
Sánchez had stated that he was in favour of amnesty for those involved in Catalonia’s failed 2017 independence referendum. In exchange for their support for the PSOE in the Spanish parliament, the ERC would have promised an amnesty for their fellow fighters.
“Amnesty for all”
ERC leader Oriol Junqueras stated that the agreement with the PSOE includes an “amnesty for all”. He did not provide details. Spanish Presidency Minister Felix Bolanos also declined to comment in detail. The senior PSOE politician justified this with ongoing negotiations with other parties.
To form a government, the Socialists also need the support of the equally separatist Catalan party Junts, to which the exiled former president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, is affiliated. Here, consultations had ended without an agreement with the PSOE. Further negotiations will take place next Friday.
Also read: Puigdemont unyielding: only support as a Catalan nation is recognized
Sánchez does not yet have a majority
Sánchez has been prime minister since 2018 and has led a minority government since 2020. In the elections on July 23, his PSOE received fewer seats than the conservatives under opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. However, it did not obtain the majority in parliament necessary for government formation. Sánchez then started negotiations as sitting prime minister. He has already secured the support of the left-wing Sumar. Sánchez also depends on votes from Basque separatists. However, if he fails to find a majority, another election could be held in January.
