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Junts Leaders Move to Withdraw Support From Spain’s Government Pending Member Vote

Puigdemont says unmet promises on amnesty scope, devolution and EU language status prompt a shift to opposition pending a member vote.

Exiled Catalan separatist leader and Junts Per Catalunya (Together for Catalonia) party candidate Carles Puigdemont speaks on the day of Catalonia's regional elections, in the French town of Argeles-sur-Mer, France, May 12, 2024. REUTERS/Bruna Casas/File Photo
Carles Puigdemont has lived in exile in Belgium since Catalonia's abortive 2017 secession bid

Overview

  • Carles Puigdemont announced that Junts’ leadership has decided to pull backing for the Socialist-led executive and to act as an opposition force.
  • Party members will vote on the move this week, with an internal ballot expected Wednesday and Thursday, and Puigdemont warned the government would lack a budget or capacity to govern if it is ratified.
  • Losing Junts would strip the government of seven pivotal votes in the 350-seat Congress, where the Socialists hold 146 seats and have depended on regional allies to pass laws.
  • Junts cites grievances including the amnesty’s failure to cover Puigdemont after Supreme Court rulings upholding warrants, stalled plans to devolve immigration enforcement, and what it views as scant progress on Catalan’s EU status.
  • Junts has not said whether it would back any no-confidence motion with the PP and Vox, while Socialist officials defend their record in Catalonia and urge the party to reconsider as Puigdemont’s constitutional appeal remains pending.