A plebiscitary escalation that requires a solid alternative

The president's intention to measure himself in a weekly face-to-face with Alberto Núñez Feijóo is further proof of the climate of frentism with which he has governed and with which he presents himself to 23-J. The proposal is part of the plebiscitary escalation in which Sánchez has been immersed since the electoral advance after the debacle of 28-M, of which he has not made any self-criticism. The debates between the candidates for the presidency of the Government are positive for the free choice of citizenship, and

at least one should be convened, but the celebration of six would not only be an "eccentricity", as the PP says, but also turns the necessary confrontation of ideas into a politics-spectacle that does not result in the improvement of the level of public discussion.

After announcing a "fierce" campaign and labeling any dissenters as "Trumpist", Sánchez yesterday proposed six face-to-face with Feijóo.

. The last confrontation took place in 2015, when Sánchez called Rajoy "indecent". Then he refused with Pablo Casado and demanded debates in which Abascal was present.

The proposal denies political plurality, but is consistent with the conflict between Spaniards raised by Sánchez: either he or the far right, in which he unites PP and Vox. After endorsing Yolanda Díaz as an electoral ticket partner, the president is now looking for the useful vote of his partners to maintain a government whose sectarianism has been punished.

. For his part, Feijóo must take the initiative: it is not enough to say "no" and promise to "repeal sanchismo". He should be aware that his presumed ascent to the Moncloa must be accompanied by a clear project of deep regeneration, defensible before any interlocutor. Only a solid and exciting program will serve to advance after five years of coexistence eroded by the pacts with roots and independence and partisan colonization.

The PSOE campaign seeks to further divide a society that has opted for centrality and harmony. To achieve this,

Proof of this is the strategy of pointing out orchestrated from the Government – the real power – against a report that EL MUNDO published on Sunday, in which a dozen voices that have worked with Sánchez or know him closely portray him. The Executive – and the party – seems to forget that the duty of the press is to monitor power, and not the other way around.

. The attacks only reaffirm us in that duty that commits us to our readers and to the democratic and open society to which we are addressed.