Sánchez's Government Strategy to Convince Puigdemont

Although many see it as almost impossible, those in PSOE are convinced they will find a way to persuade Carles Puigdemont and govern Spain. It won't be easy. Junts has set amnesty and a binding referendum as conditions, and Sánchez isn't willing to pay such a high price.

Sumar has taken the first step, and in a strategy independent of PSOE has appointed Jaume Asens as an interlocutor. Asens, candidate of En Comú Podem in the 2019 general elections, is also the one with the best relationship with the former president. He was the one who contributed to the alliance between the left and the independents in the last legislature.

However, he had never faced such a tricky mission until now. According to El Periódico, Asens exchanged messages with Junts representatives on the same election night. He then received the task from Yolanda Díaz to lead the conversations "to understand the positioning of the Catalan formations and explore all avenues of agreement".

A New Phase of the 'Procés'

Jaume Asens has already gotten to work and has requested to meet not only with Carles Puigdemont but also with Toni Comín. In Sumar, they know the task is complicated. But they trust Asens's negotiating ability, his knowledge of the Catalan reality, and his good relationship with the independentist space.

Junts's starting position is clear. Puigdemont has said they only owe their electorate and won't budge an inch from their demands. That is, either amnesty and a self-determination referendum or repeat elections.

Jaume Asens's task is to find a way to secure Junts's support in the investiture of a new Government. The self-determination referendum is a red line that PSOE-Sumar will clearly mark. But they are willing to open a new cycle in Catalonia-Spain relations.

This is important because until now PSOE considered the procés concluded and Sumar clearly distanced itself from the self-determination aspirations of the commons. Junts now has the opportunity to wrest leadership of the 'procés' from ERC and significantly advance its secessionist ambition.

The Activist Friend of the Independents

Jaume Asens began his steps as a political activist in Barcelona and a lawyer for anti-system collectives. In 2014 he joined Ada Colau's circle of trust, which later achieved the government of the Catalan capital. In 2015 he was deputy mayor and in 2019 he led the En Comú Podem lists in Barcelona.

Asens represented the friendly and conciliatory profile within the Podemos space. A personal friend of Pablo Iglesias, he also developed a fruitful friendship with Puigdemont. He was one of the trusted people who recommended he flee to Brussels after the failed declaration of independence in October 2017.

He was also the one who facilitated the rebuilding of bridges between the independents and the Spanish left after PSOE's support for 155. His role was key in the negotiations for pardons and the suppression of the crime of sedition in the penal code. Nothing compared to the titanic task he now has ahead.