• Covenants.The Government downplays the breakdown of the negotiation with ERC and hopes to continue talking
  • The sentence: Junqueras had to have been MEP and enjoyed his immunity, according to European Justice
  • Pacts.ERC breaks negotiations with the PSOE until the government applies the EU ruling

And again nothing in Spanish politics came back as expected. The ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that recognizes that the parliamentary immunity of the ERC leader, Oriol Junqueras, contrary to what the Supreme Court did, removes the PSOE's claim for an investiture before the end of the year and even leaves in the air the viability of an agreement to obtain the abstention of the independentistas, that assures the election of Pedro Sánchez.

ERC made it very clear after pointing out Thursday that it breaks with the PSOE until there is a clear pronouncement from the Socialists. They hope that, through the General Advocacy of the State , the Government will support the request for the release of Junqueras. Meanwhile, they cancel the meetings.

Despite these warnings, Executive Vice President Carmen Calvo limited its impact and insisted on the need to continue negotiating. The court ruling, he said, "has nothing to do with it." "We need to face the situation in Catalonia with dialogue," he said. "We have to strive to make an Executive viable and find ways out." On the position of the Advocacy - a body controlled by the Government - he only pointed out that the matter is being studied carefully and that they will see that "we can help the Supreme to comply with this sentence."

The Government, in a statement that took hours to spread, showed a similar position. It was ratified "in the need to open a new stage of dialogue, negotiation and agreement with all political actors, from respect for legitimate differences, within the framework of our Social and Law State". In short, it does not see obstacles to continue seeking the necessary abstention from CKD.

Now the confidence of the PSOE in that the independentistas give the approval, according to sources of the formation, is the celebration of its congress this Saturday. They hope that this meeting will leave a majority position in favor of abstaining and that the endowment can finally get on track.

Moncloa's optimism

Again Moncloa bases his expectations on his usual optimism that things are going to happen as it suits them and not the other way around. Although the talks with ERC were progressing properly and the PSOE no longer saw a problem accessing a dialogue table between the Generalitat and the State, Esquerra was awaiting Luxembourg's decision to finalize the agreement.

The Government was absolutely aware of the relevance of this Thursday's appointment, but what I did not expect is that the CJEU would give the reason to ERC. In the conviction that Junqueras' demands were not going to be met, Moncloa based the possibility of reaching the pact and celebrating the investiture between December 27 and 30.

The Executive thought that the Court would not enter into the merits of the matter and that it would simply point out that there was "lack of overcoming object". That is, as he had already been tried and convicted, it was not possible to rule on the matter.

Even ERC was very cautious about the direct consequences it could have on Junqueras, because they themselves were not waiting for such a clear ruling. But they did fear that any reference to that he enjoyed that immunity - although he did not enter the matter as he has finally done - would serve the former president of the Generalitat Carles Puigdemont to be proclaimed MEP and be able to move freely through Europe. The fear that he could return to Spain and even stand for hypothetical regional elections in the coming months has a direct influence on ERC's position on abstention.

And that concern has become even more real today. If something worries them, much more than who rules in Spain, is how to overcome JxCat electorally. And the question remains whether to abstain in the investiture of Sanchez reinforces or weakens them in their competition with Carles Puigdemont. This Saturday, at your congress, this answer can be clarified somewhat. At least that's what the PSOE trusts.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • ERC
  • PSOE
  • Supreme Court
  • Carles Puigdemont
  • Pedro Sanchez
  • Oriol Junqueras
  • Europe
  • Catalonia
  • Carmen Calvo
  • President's Investiture

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