“Negotiations and bringing different groups that think differently to agreement is not a simple task.” It is one of the messages that the Government of Pedro Sánchez after the agonizing situation experienced this Monday in the Finance Commission of the Congress of Deputies. Moncloa maintains its “confidence” in reaching an agreement on the taxes on banking and energy companies despite the evident divisions among his parliamentary allies.
The Government spokesperson, Pilar Alegríaappeared at a press conference after the Council of Ministers. “It is not easy but if this Government has demonstrated something, it is our ability to reach agreements. Yesterday the vote was held with 20 votes in favor and 17 against. It went ahead. They are not simple negotiations, we are going to continue working with the different groups “, he stated in this regard.
Executive sources prefer not to go into details about how they will get out of the crossroads of convincing ERC, EH Bildu, BNG and Podemos, on the one hand, and PNV and Junts, on the other.. The two blocs have different ideas about these taxes. This Monday the Ministry of Finance came forward clarifying that the commitment reached with Carles Puigdemont’s party that reduces the scope of taxes on energy companies was maintained.
Alegría wanted to be “cautious” during the press conference because negotiations will continue until Thursday, when the Plenary Session is held in the Lower House. “We must look at the parliamentary reality we have with normal eyes, we must reach agreements with different forces that think differently,” the minister spokesperson insisted. “We are not naive, we know the parliamentary reality”he added later.
“It has lasted longer than expected but all’s well that ends well,” say Moncloa sources about what happened in Congress. The Government recognizes that the fiscal package is less easy to agree on than other issues due to its relevance. “Fiscal policy is big words. There are other simpler topics. It is not a typical negotiation,” government sources emphasize.
“We are on Tuesday, step by step. You have to trust your negotiating ability. We have a minority, we know it, but we have approved 20 laws that are already in the BOE. “These are facts that are achieved based on negotiation,” Alegría stressed after several questions about it.
The Sánchez Government tries to separate this issue from the budget negotiations. “They are different conversations,” they say. “We are going to continue working to approve them,” said the spokesperson. Regarding whether the situation with DANA changes its roadmap, Alegría highlighted that “of course” the PGE have to contemplate “the reconstruction process.” But also, he added, those of town councils or autonomous communities. “It would be unthinkable not to consider it,” said Alegría.
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