Pedro Sánchez’s decision to remain in La Moncloa after taking five days to reflect on whether it was worth being the President of the Government has had immediate consequences, as well as others that will surely come in the coming months. The political fracture in Spain has widened, with polarized blocks that only listen to themselves. Those who thought Sánchez was a political trickster have seen their opinion reinforced, believing he used his family for personal gain. On the other hand, those who saw him as a top leader who was on the verge of an unjust sacrifice underline the human side of a politician who was thought to be flawless. If Sánchez intended to open a debate on the limits of the debasement of political discourse and fake news, there is no indication that he will achieve this goal. Furthermore, it is likely that the PP and Vox will further harden their rhetoric.
The decision to share his personal anguish over the attacks on his wife, Begoña Gómez, has put the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) in shock, leading to maximum tension within the party. The Federal Committee meeting on Saturday became an act of vindication for their leader, with hyperbolic speeches. The crisis has led to internal divisions, including succession debates within the organization, which has had past traumas when dealing with leadership changes. Additionally, the closest political circle to Sánchez, including María Jesús Montero, Félix Bolaños, and Santos Cerdán, were informed of his decision to continue just before the rest of the Spanish population, indicating a lack of maximum trust.
Following Sánchez’s announcement that he was considering resigning, there was an immediate closing of ranks from all the parties supporting the PSOE and Unidas Podemos coalition government. However, the resolution of the crisis has caused more evident criticism, particularly from the independence parties. Now that Sánchez has highlighted the need for a “regeneration” in Spain, his allies are urging him to make decisions quickly, which are likely to be controversial in an already complex legislative term, especially with issues like the amnesty law.
After announcing his decision to stay in office, Sánchez mentioned addressing the “pending regeneration” of Spanish democracy, without providing further details. This statement is notable, considering the PSOE has governed for 27 out of the 47 years of recent democratic history, implying a significant responsibility for the current situation. While there is asymmetry in the deterioration of political discourse, with the PP resorting to anything when in opposition, a strategy of polarization is not one-directional. Furthermore, proposing legal reforms that affect institutional architecture or the press may not be the best idea when cross-party agreements seem impossible.
Recent events in Spanish politics have led to increased political activism on the streets, with Sánchez appealing to society and social majorities to join his fight against the “mud machine.” In response, the PP has announced demonstrations against the government, suggesting a shift towards emotional politics away from institutional channels. Ultimately, the impact of these developments will be felt most acutely closer to home, prompting further engagement with political developments through various media platforms.
