Alberto Núñez Feijóo urges an end to the ‘procés’ era at the PP congress in Barcelona. The party signals a new approach toward Junts, aiming to challenge Pedro Sánchez’s government. Tensions over amnesty and Catalonia’s role remain high.
At the PP congress in Barcelona, Alberto Núñez Feijóo called for a decisive break from the ‘procés’ period, signaling a major shift in the party’s stance toward Catalonia and its political future. Addressing 700 party delegates, Feijóo emphasized the need to move beyond past conflicts, underlining that both the PP and most Catalans are ready to “turn the page.” This message comes as the PP seeks to build bridges with Junts, inviting them to support a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Feijóo’s remarks reflect a pragmatic turn for the PP, which only two years ago led protests against amnesty for Catalan separatists and advocated for dissolving parties that promoted illegal referendums. Now, with the fate of the amnesty law awaiting a ruling from the European Court of Justice—expected on July 16—the PP is recalibrating its approach, suggesting that the unilateral secession attempt of 2017 should be considered a closed chapter. Even Junts, while maintaining distance from a PP-Vox alliance, acknowledges that the upcoming court decision could shift the political landscape.
During his speech, Feijóo stressed that any change in Spain’s government is impossible without Catalonia’s involvement. He argued that the PP must also move past its own era of confrontation with Catalan independence, a stance that some within the party admit has contributed to an “anti-Catalan” image. “Change cannot happen without Catalonia, and certainly not against it,” Feijóo stated, reinforcing the region’s central role in national politics.
The congress also highlighted the PP’s ongoing efforts to persuade Junts to back a motion of no confidence, a move that would force early elections. Feijóo referenced Junts’ recent support for a non-binding PP initiative in Congress calling for Sánchez’s resignation, but pressed for more decisive action, suggesting that triggering elections would be a more responsible step. He reiterated his commitment to restoring what he described as “decent government” in Spain, with or without Junts’ support.
Feijóo intensified his criticism of Sánchez, accusing him of “caudillismo” for remaining in office despite a majority in Congress—comprising PP, Junts, and Vox—voting for his resignation and a confidence vote. He argued that Sánchez’s refusal to step down demonstrates a disregard for parliamentary will, likening it to political practices not seen in Spain for decades. Feijóo also questioned the PSOE’s internal support for Sánchez, especially as the party’s federal committee convened to discuss the situation.
Throughout the congress, Feijóo called for party unity and set an ambitious electoral target: surpassing the 12 deputies the PP won in Catalonia in 2000, its best-ever result in the region. In the 2023 general elections, the PP secured only 6 seats, compared to the PSOE’s 19. The event also served as a platform for Alejandro Fernández, president of the Catalan PP, to urge an end to internal disputes and focus on strengthening the party’s presence in local and regional institutions.
Fernández echoed the call to “turn the page” on past conflicts, emphasizing the need to expand municipal influence, increase representation in the Catalan Parliament, and help bring Feijóo to the presidency of the national government. He rallied party members to see Catalonia as the “engine” of political change in Spain, insisting that the future of the country depends on the PPC’s success.
For context, the current political climate in Spain remains tense, with debates over amnesty, regional autonomy, and government legitimacy dominating headlines. The PP’s shift toward dialogue with Junts marks a notable departure from its previous hardline stance. This evolving dynamic echoes broader patterns of political realignment seen in other recent Spanish events, such as the public controversies during major football matches, including the incident at the Spain-Uruguay game in Guadalajara that sparked national debate over respect and political expression. As the PP recalibrates its strategy, the outcome of the European court’s decision and the response from Catalan parties will be closely watched across Spain.
