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With Spain's Congress of Deputies virtually empty due to coronavirus lockdown, and in a late night session, Pedro Sánchez's government received the green light for the extension of the country's state of alarm until midnight on 11th April. As requested by the government, the exceptional measures across the State will be extended for another two weeks to try to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite many discrepancies with the measures taken by the executive, no party voted against the measure. However, parties which are essential to the coalition's governing majority, from Más País to the Catalan and Basque pro-independence groups, called once again for a total lockdown and the cessation of all non-urgent economic activity to defeat the pandemic. The Spanish prime minister merely said that he would "study" the idea. But alternative proposals made by the different groups during Wednesday night's marathon session were all defeated in the chamber.

As expected, the two-week extension of the state of alarm - the first of three possible levels of emergency powers which the Spanish constitution allows - received the necessary votes. In fact, not one member of parliament voted against: 321 votes in favour and 28 abstentions. Voting sí were the governing PSOE and its partner Unidas Podemos, along with the PP, Vox, Ciudadanos, PNV, Más País, Compromís, BNG and Teruel Existe. Those that abstained were the three Catalan pro-independence parties ERC, JxCat and the CUP, along with the Basque pro-independence party EH Bildu.

Responding to a variety of requests, Pedro Sánchez went as far as to say he was open to incorporating measures proposed by other parties. Of course, with a condition: the "difficult balance" between fighting the virus and maintaining economic recovery. Using medical language, the Spanish PM argued that "the scalpel must be used in a way that doesn't amputate any limb that would compromise the recovery."

Of the 350 members of the Spanish lower house, 307 had requested to vote by telematic means. The session, which began at three in the afternoon, ended at 2am. Members did, however, take a short break from the debate at 8pm to do what people all over the Spanish state were doing at that same time: giving a round of applause for healthcare personnel and all those providing essential services.