The Partido Popular dismisses Junts' latest demand as a delaying tactic. No alternative majority emerges in Congress to challenge Pedro Sánchez, despite ongoing corruption debates.
The Partido Popular (PP) has dismissed the latest move by Junts in Congress as a stalling tactic, underlining that there is no viable majority to remove Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The debate on corruption cases linked to the PSOE has only widened the gap between the government and its parliamentary allies, while also confirming that the PP remains isolated in its efforts to challenge the current administration.
During Wednesday's plenary session, Junts spokesperson Miriam Nogueras called for Sánchez to resign and for Parliament to appoint a new leader capable of addressing Catalonia's demands. However, PP sources interpret this as a maneuver by Junts to buy time rather than a genuine attempt to unseat Sánchez. The PP leadership, based in Génova, sees no real prospect of Junts aligning with them for a motion of no confidence.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the PP, abandoned his previous attempts to court government allies and instead openly criticized them for continuing to support Sánchez. He accused these groups of lacking dignity and made clear that he would only promote a motion of no confidence if the necessary support was already secured—a scenario he considers highly unlikely at present.
Recent weeks saw the PP focusing its hopes on Junts, especially after Junts amended a PP motion in Congress to demand early elections. This had fueled speculation about a possible rapprochement. However, the latest developments show no sign of cooperation, even though both parties are calling for Sánchez to step down. Feijóo pointedly reminded Junts that, despite their current criticism, they were instrumental in Sánchez's initial investiture.
Junts' proposal, described as the 'Starmer route'—referring to the recent leadership change in the UK Labour Party—suggests Parliament could select a new prime minister without holding elections. Junts clarified that their plan does not require the successor to be from the PSOE and could involve an independent candidate. The PP, however, dismisses this as political theater and criticizes Junts for shifting from their previous demand for elections.
While the debate in Congress highlighted the lack of alignment between the PP and Junts, a parallel session in the Senate reinforced this divide. Junts abstained from voting on a PP motion calling for the dissolution of Parliament and early elections, despite having supported a similar initiative in Congress the previous week. The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) voted against the motion, with its spokesperson Maribel Vaquero criticizing the PP's focus on her party and rejecting accusations related to government aid for Tubos Reunidos.
The PP's parliamentary isolation was further underscored by the PNV's remarks, which suggested that the lack of support for the PP is a problem the party itself must address. Despite ongoing corruption debates and calls for Sánchez's resignation, the current balance of power in Congress remains unchanged, leaving the government in place and the opposition without a clear path forward.
For context, motions of no confidence in Spain require an absolute majority in Congress and a named alternative candidate. Since 1978, only two such motions have succeeded. The current legislature has seen frequent tensions between the government and its allies, but the fragmented opposition has so far failed to unite around a credible alternative.
