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The ERC will abstain during the vote scheduled between January 4 and 7 in the Spanish Parliament, which could allow the socialist Pedro Sanchez to remain head of government. REUTERS / Susana Vera

In Spain, the way is clear for the reappointment of Pedro Sanchez to the post of Prime Minister. The Catalan independence party ERC agreed Thursday evening to abstain from the next nomination vote for candidate Pedro Sanchez. The country has experienced chronic political instability for years.

The National Council of ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia) was therefore in the direction of its leaders by validating their decision not to block the road to Pedro Sanchez.

The socialists, allies with the radical left-wing party Podemos, have only 155 deputies out of 350 in the Parliament, they need the support of other formations - the Basque nationalists of the PNV have already brought their votes, but this support can also be translate into an abstention during the nomination vote.

In exchange, ERC had asked for a political gesture in favor of their leader Oriol Junqueras, sentenced last October to 13 years in prison for his role in the attempted secession from Catalonia in 2017. And on Monday, the state lawyer asked the Supreme Court to temporarily let him out of prison to take up his post as MEP.

In addition, according to the socialists, the agreement concluded with ERC provides for the opening of negotiations between the government of Spain and the executive of Catalonia, within 15 days. Then, the citizens of Catalonia must be "consulted" on the proposed measures.

The right and the extreme right accuse Pedro Sanchez of being hostage to the separatists. For its part, ERC is criticized by other separatists, the ANC association warns against " the risks of this agreement for the process of self-determination in Catalonia ".

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