He can cross the Atlantic if he wants, but the single issue that dominates Spanish politics doesn't change: pardons for the pro-independence political prisoners. Just four days before the Spanish right's much-vaunted rally of opposition in Madrid. In Argentina, where he is on an official voayage, Pedro Sánchez has continued with his pedagogy. This time he asked for "understanding and magnanimity" from those who may have doubts about the clemency measure. "The goal is worth it," he defended, asking for an opportunity to try to get the Catalan conflict on track.
At his press conference in the Casa Rosada government palace in Buenos Aires, where he was accompanied by Argentine president Alberto Fernández, the Spanish prime minister was asked about Oriol Junqueras's letter. He applauded it, saying that "any step towards easing the tension is welcome." That said, he admitted that "there may be citizens who have reservations about this decision" after the events of 2017 in Catalonia, with the laws of disconnection, the "illegal" referendum of 1st October and the unilateral declaration of independence. And he wanted to address those people.
"I ask them to have confidence, we must make a commitment to social coexistence and reparation," said Pedro Sánchez, adding that it was necessary to "move from a bad past to a better future." This, he added, "also implies magnanimity." He insisted on this concept: "understanding", "magnanimity" and "steps to ease the tension" are needed. He concluded: “The challenge ahead is worth it. The goal is worth it. "
With regard to the calendar ahead, it remains to be determined. The Spanish PM did not want to give dates, but insisted that the bilateral meeting with Catalan president Pere Aragonès in Madrid will come first, and "later we will see when the dialogue table should meet". He defended the "will and vocation" of his executive to "open a new phase in Catalonia, based on dialogue, negotiation and agreement, always respecting the margins of the Constitution and legal certainty."
Nor did Sánchez comment on the hypothetical presence of Oriol Junqueras at this dialogue table. While noting that it is "intergovernmental", he also said that he "wouldn't want to veto anyone" or speculate on who should be there and who shouldn't.
Government reshuffle?
When the hot potato of the pardons and the dialogue table is picked up, it is rumoured that a controlled government crisis will unfold, before the summer holidays. The whispers come from the Moncloa government palace itself. However, the Spanish prime minister has said he is "focused" on vaccination and economic recovery. "The rest is not a priority," he concluded.