Oriol Junqueras calls for unity among Sánchez's coalition partners after Junts breaks ranks. He criticizes PSOE over corruption but insists on maintaining the parliamentary majority. The debate intensifies as the amnesty law faces judicial hurdles.
Political tensions escalated in Madrid as Oriol Junqueras, leader of ERC, delivered a pointed message to both the Spanish government and its parliamentary allies. Addressing a public event, Junqueras openly criticized the PSOE for its handling of corruption scandals, describing the issue as systemic and damaging to the government's credibility. Despite his disappointment, he emphasized that ERC would act responsibly in the final stretch of the current legislative term.
Junqueras's intervention comes at a critical moment for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's coalition. He called on all parties that supported Sánchez's investiture—including Sumar, Junts, and other partners—to preserve the fragile parliamentary majority. According to Junqueras, unity is essential to advance key issues such as debt relief, a new financing model, and the approval of Spain's national budget. He warned that the coalition cannot afford to lose any of its members, highlighting the risks of fragmentation.
The appeal was particularly directed at Junts, the party led by Carles Puigdemont, which has recently intensified its standoff with the government. Last week, Junts voted alongside the PP and Vox against the government's proposed deficit path in Congress, signaling a break from the investiture majority. Junqueras criticized any suggestion of supporting a no-confidence motion, arguing that such moves ignore the dangers posed by Vox and the PP to liberal democracy and social rights.
On the judicial front, Junqueras addressed the recent endorsement by the Court of Justice of the European Union (TJUE) of Spain's amnesty law. He insisted that it is now the responsibility of the Supreme Court to implement the law without delay. The TJUE's decision clarified that the amnesty does not conflict with EU financial interests or anti-terrorism directives. However, Junqueras remains barred from public office until 2031, following the Constitutional Court's refusal last December to suspend his disqualification, along with those of Jordi Turull, Raül Romeva, and Dolors Bassa. The Supreme Court has so far declined to apply the amnesty to their convictions for misuse of public funds.
Junqueras argued that those affected by the amnesty should have been rehabilitated over two years ago, stating that continued penalties in the absence of criminal offenses are unprecedented internationally. He called for a definitive resolution to the legal aftermath of the Catalan independence process, expressing a desire to move beyond discussions of repression and focus on rights, democracy, and public service management.
The debate over judicial independence and political influence has been a recurring theme in Spain. For instance, recent coverage highlighted concerns raised by a former Supreme Court president about political pressure on the judiciary, as seen in this analysis of judicial independence amid high-profile investigations. These ongoing disputes underscore the complex relationship between Spain's political and legal institutions.
Spain's coalition government, formed after a closely contested election, relies on a patchwork of regional and national parties. The stability of this alliance is frequently tested by diverging interests, especially on sensitive issues like Catalan autonomy and public sector reforms. The amnesty law, designed to address the fallout from the 2017 Catalan independence referendum, remains a flashpoint in national politics. As the legislative session draws to a close, the ability of Sánchez's government to maintain unity among its partners will be crucial for advancing its agenda and ensuring political stability.
