Pedro Sánchez Already Feels His Desire to Make a Deal With Puigdemont

After the elections on July 23, Pedro Sánchez showed from the very beginning his intention to reestablish the Frankenstein Government. But this time it won't be so easy for him. Although Puigdemont may end up giving in, the price PSOE will have to pay to stay in Moncloa may end up taking a toll.

Pedro Sánchez is already starting to feel the pressure of wanting to govern with the support of Junts per Catalunya. Influential figures from PSOE's old guard are asking Pedro Sánchez to return to the center and forge a grand agreement with PP.

Return to Bipartisanship

Led by the former secretary-general of the Socialist Party of Euskadi, Nicolás Redondo, a group of former socialist leaders have expressed their demand to Sánchez. "Any negotiation with a person who has fled Spanish justice is impossible," they state. In their opinion, PSOE and PP must reach an agreement to represent the vast majority of Spaniards.

The elections have expressed, in their view, a clear rejection by Spaniards of extremes of all kinds. The two major parties account for more than 60% of the votes, "which should translate into an understanding on matters of state." Ultimately, they call for a return to bipartisanship and sidelining Vox and the nationalists.

Nicolás Redondo has emphasized that "the Government should not depend on a fugitive with a confirmed sentence like Puigdemont." On the contrary, he has called for an understanding with PP, "which doesn't necessarily have to be a coalition." This would, in his view, "bring prestige in Europe and the international community."

"There is no doubt that if PP and PSOE reach an agreement, both Feijóo and Sánchez would be a European and international reference," the former leader stated. He also warned that "if you oppose Vox's prominence and resort to Puigdemont's support, you end up losing your legitimacy."

Felipe González Against 'Sanchismo'

This prevailing opinion within PSOE's old guard originates from Felipe González. The former president of the Government already expressed during the campaign the need for Sánchez to accept Feijóo's proposal to let the most voted list govern. He thus pointed out the need to rectify the "Sanchismo" strategy.

Felipe González's role has been particularly controversial because the former president never asked for a vote for Sánchez during the campaign. Which, for many, implicitly meant asking for it for PP. Felipe González's animosity toward Pedro Sánchez and his partners is well known.

PSOE Trusts Junts per Catalunya

But Felipe González and Nicolás Redondo represent a minority sector of the party, which today is mostly Sanchista. This supports the acting president in maintaining his position and strategy. And for now, the socialist leadership considers nothing other than the investiture with Junts's abstention.

In the socialist party, they trust in the investiture despite the pressures on the other side as well. Junts is maintaining discretion, but radical independence and its media outlets have started pressing for Puigdemont to resist: either a self-determination referendum or political blockade.