The Spanish government believes that Catalan parties won't prevent the passage of its budget by presenting wholesale amendments but members of the executive appear suspicious of how ERC and PDeCAT will act. "They're very volatile, until the final day we won't know what they'll do", said prime minister Pedro Sánchez in an informal conversation with journalists.
Sánchez believes it's possible that the 2019 budget proposal he's planning to present in January might pass, but if it's rejected he says that doesn't necessarily mean he'll call an early election.
The prime minister said that the decision to present the bill without having the votes to pass it in advance was taken about three weeks ago. He hopes to send a message to Europe that the Spanish government fulfils its commitments and to send a message of stability to other international bodies and social agents.
Instead of trying to pass it as part of its budget as originally planned, the Spanish government will raise the minimum monthly wage to 900 euros (£801; $1025) by executive order. Sources say the cabinet will approve the measure before the end of the year so it will take effect on 1st January.
Sánchez dodged all questions relating to a possible early election in March, saying that it's a month in which he'll have "lots of work".