Spain facing new elections over Catalonia row
In the negotiations with the Catalan separatists Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has conceded to the demand for an independent facilitator. The right-wing opposition made up of the conservatives (PP), the liberals (Ciudadanos) and the far right (Vox) see Spain's unity at risk and have called a mass demonstration for Sunday to demand new elections. Is Spain's minority government tottering?
Concessions to separatist propaganda
Sánchez has disqualified himself as prime minister, El Mundo concludes:
“A facilitator only makes sense when two parties are engaged in a conflict that requires observation from abroad. But the Catalan conflict boils down to a regional government that only recognises half of Catalonia and wants to declare the other half foreigners. To accept a facilitator in this context is an insult to constitutional democracy and a murderous concession to separatist propaganda. ... That's why the people will take to the streets on Sunday: to defend their political rights. To tell Sánchez to stop insulting their intelligence and call elections.”
PP aligining with the right-wing populists
With his new radical tone the PP leader Pablo Casado is aligning his party with the international right, columnist Emma Riverola fears in El Periódico de Catalunya:
“If the PP was marked by a passivity that was irresponsible and incendiary, Pablo Casado is now pinning his hopes on an action film that is even more risky and appearing on a poster with two actors who also want a leading role. ... The Spain that results from this rivalry between three right-wing parties while the far right is on the rise across the globe leaves no doubt. This is not a Rajoy we are facing, nor even an Aznar. These are men in the league of Trump, Bolsonaro, Salvini and Orbán.”