Qedro sanchez stays. After a five-day parenthesis in which the president of the Spanish government secluded himself to reflect on whether it was worth continuing to lead the Executive, the president finally cleared up all doubts: “I have decided to continue, with even more strength if possible,” said. Despite the announcement, Sánchez did not make clear what his plan is from now on and what is going to change about his mandateopening new questions.
(In context: Pedro Sánchez: the main phrases of the speech about his permanence in power in Spain)
The days of suspense that plunged Spain into uncertainty occurred last Wednesday when the president announced that he was considering resigning after learning of the investigation against his wife for suspicions of influence peddling and corruption. For Sánchez it was a “strategy of harassment and demolition” against him carried out by “right-wing and ultra-right” interests.
Surprise in politics is the art of weaving the unexpected (…) and it is clear that Pedro Sánchez has made surprises his hallmark
For the leader of the Popular Party (PP), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, his main opponent, Sánchez “took the piss” of the Spaniards with his threat of resignation. “He has teased a nation of 48 million Spaniards and I do not participate in that way of understanding politics (…). “It’s a play,” he said.
The truth is that, for a sector of Spanish politics, what Sánchez did would be a new move by a man who has been characterized as a calculating political strategist. According to some opponents, Sánchez seeks to revalidate his political position as president and, by wanting to become a victim, unite the entire PSOE around him.
Sánchez, for his part, denied any “political calculation” in his decision and once again defended his wife, attacked according to him for political reasons. “Either we say enough is enough or this degradation of public life will determine our future, condemning us as a country,” he added.
How effective was Sánchez's 'play'?
In fact, a quick survey by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) already demonstrates the effects of the “Sánchez” effect. This Monday, a “flash” poll on the Government's letter placed the Psoe as the winner in a possible election in the country, taking a lead of 9.4 points over the PP.
According to Garcia Alonso, the strategy consisted of marking the agency of the media and not the other way around. And, precisely, during the five days, the country was talking about him, even in the middle of the electoral campaign in Catalonia, where this May 12 there will be Parliamentary elections. These are key votes when the country discusses a controversial amnesty for independence leaders and the possible return to the country of Carles Puigdemont.
Additionally, Sánchez managed to unify the entire left around his figure, “thus overshadowing his own coalition colleague or Podemos,” García Alonso noted.
I have decided to continue, with even more strength if possible, at the head of the Presidency of the Government of Spain.
I assume my commitment to work tirelessly, with firmness and serenity, for the regeneration of our democracy and for the advancement of rights and freedoms.
This decision does not represent a… pic.twitter.com/RIhA7xS7QY
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 29, 2024
What's comingWhat's coming now?and now?
“There are no more clues than what could be announced, but we know that the problem of misinformation and fake news It is a transnational problem that afflicts all Western democracies. We know that it is an issue that requires strong consensus because it touches on fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and therefore would require the necessary agreement with the main opposition party, the Popular Party,” explains García Alonso.
The attacks against Sánchez and his wife will now be more furious and it is not clear that the defenses will emerge stronger from this episode.
Meanwhile, Spanish journalist Enric Juliana also predicts major challenges for Sánchez from now on. “The attacks against Sánchez and his wife will now be more furious and it is not clear that the defenses will emerge stronger from this episode. A new stage begins that will surely be marked by the search for a successor in the socialist leadership,” says Juliana in a text published in La Vanguardia.
In other words, Sánchez's move will have two effects: one in the short term and one in the long term. In the short, as already seen, even according to polls, Sánchez is managing to capitalize on his move and improve the prospects for the May 12 elections. however, In the long term the outlook looks even more challenging.
Better relations with Latin America?
“The 'mud machine' driven by the Spanish extreme right has sought to destroy Pedro Sánchez's family to stop progressive policies,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro tweeted.
“Sánchez is likely to continue strengthening alliances with Latin American leaders like Gustavo Petro. An alliance that seems to be stronger than ever, since leaders of the Latin American left, such as Brazil, Colombia and Bolivia, have conveyed their support and solidarity to the head of the Spanish Executive and trusted that Pedro Sánchez would remain at the head of the Executive.” García Alonso mentions.
And he adds: “What's more, that was the focus of his agenda during Spain's last presidency of the European Council where he sought greater international prominence for Latin America and the Caribbean. At the moment we know from the statements of both leaders that the areas of cooperation include related topics such as the ecological transition, the economy and support for the construction of peace.”
The “mud machine” driven by the Spanish extreme right has sought to destroy Pedro Sánchez's family to stop progressive policies.
The policy of the right is to destroy people.
My solidarity with the president of Spain and his family
Whom…
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) April 24, 2024
What has happened to Begoña Gómez, wife of Pedro Sánchez?
This is a decision from last Wednesday when a Madrid court opened proceedings against her for the alleged commission of crimes of influence peddling and corruption in business, following a complaint from the self-proclaimed 'union'. Clean handslinked to the Spanish right and which is based on press reports and which the prosecutor's office asked to archive due to lack of veracity.
Specifically, Judge Juan Carlos Peinado agreed to open proceedings into the links between Sánchez's wife and a businessman who had received contracts from the administration for more than 10 million euros.
The businessman is Carlos Barrabés, whose consulting firm obtained three awards from the public organization Red.es in 2020 and 2021, which depends on the Ministry of Economy. Begoña Gómez gave his endorsement to the company in writing.
On another front, the judge of the Spanish National Court investigating the purchase of medical supplies during the pandemic refused to summon Gómez to testify as a witness due to “mere unverified journalistic information” and stressed that the investigations do not reveal that he had knowledge or intervention in the plot.
Judge Ismael Moreno is in charge of investigating what is known in Spain as the “Koldo case”, regarding alleged illegalities in the purchase of medical supplies during the pandemic, in which the former advisor to former socialist minister José Luis Ábalos is being investigated.
CARLOS JOSÉ REYES – INTERNATIONAL DEPUTY EDITOR – EL TIEMPO
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