Junts urges Pedro Sánchez to resign, warning his leadership risks handing power to the far right. The party insists only a new PSOE candidate willing to meet Catalan demands can restore stability in Spain.
Political tensions in Spain have escalated as Junts, the Catalan party with seven seats in Congress, publicly called for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to resign. The party argues that Sánchez’s continued leadership threatens to deliver the government to the far right, specifically VOX, unless the PSOE initiates a leadership change willing to address Catalan demands. This move, which Junts frames as a pragmatic response to ongoing instability, has reignited debate over the future of the current coalition and the unresolved Catalan question.
Junts spokesperson Míriam Nogueras, speaking to EL PAÍS, outlined the party’s position following a surprise intervention in Congress. She stated that Junts had matured the idea of a leadership change for some time, citing what she described as the inefficiency of Sánchez’s government and repeated failures to honor agreements with Catalonia. Nogueras emphasized that Junts has consistently opposed the far right and claimed that, without their support, VOX would have entered government in July 2023. She warned that Sánchez alone would bear responsibility if the far right gains power, as he has the option to step aside, referencing the so-called “vía Starmer” as a model for political renewal.
The proposal from Junts comes amid growing frustration among Sánchez’s coalition partners. According to Nogueras, other parties have begun to question Sánchez’s leadership and the viability of the current government, echoing concerns Junts raised over a year ago. She pointed to a pattern of broken promises on Catalan issues, compounded by corruption scandals, as the main reasons for demanding either elections or a confidence vote. Nogueras suggested that internal dissent within the PSOE is increasing, even if not yet openly expressed.
Junts rejects the idea that their call for Sánchez’s resignation is a reactionary move. Instead, they argue that the Spanish legislature is effectively paralyzed and that political projects should not depend on a single individual. Nogueras dismissed comparisons with Junts’ own leadership situation, noting that their president remains in exile and that the party’s focus is on Catalonia’s unresolved status within Spain. She insisted that as long as Catalan demands are ignored, political instability will persist.
Asked about the possibility of improved relations with a new PSOE leader, Nogueras was clear: any future president must fulfill commitments to Catalonia or accept ongoing instability. She criticized other Catalan parties, particularly ERC, for supporting the PSOE without tangible results, arguing that such alliances only strengthen the far right. On legislative achievements, Nogueras credited Junts with forcing the passage of the amnesty law and securing the use of Catalan in Congress, stating that these concessions were non-negotiable for their support.
Spain’s political landscape remains highly fragmented, with no single party holding a majority in Congress. The current government relies on complex agreements with regional parties like Junts to pass legislation. The “vía Starmer” reference alludes to the UK Labour Party’s leadership change, which some in Spain see as a precedent for resolving internal crises. The ongoing debate over Catalonia’s status continues to shape national politics, with Junts leveraging its pivotal position to push for greater autonomy and recognition. As the standoff continues, the risk of early elections or a shift in government remains a central concern for both the PSOE and its partners.
