The government in Spain often navigates like a tightrope walker through Congress. In the previous legislature, the government managed to avoid any major parliamentary defeats in three and a half years, passing three budgets. However, in the current legislature, with a more precarious majority and less ideological cohesion, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has already faced challenges. The government has lost six votes in plenary and around fifty in committees in the past four months. While most of these defeats are symbolic, they highlight the difficulty of managing the heterogeneous bloc that supported Sanchez in his investiture.
The government’s stability in Parliament is not currently under threat, and legislative activity continues, with 19 bills in progress in Congress. However, recent events show cracks in the majority that brought Sánchez to power. Unusual alliances have formed, such as when the opposition PP successfully pushed through a bill to remove the wolf from the list of protected species, with support from the PNV and Junts. This highlights the fragile nature of the current majority and the challenges of managing divergent interests within the government’s coalition.
Podemos, presenting itself as the voice of genuine left-wing politics, adds another layer of instability to the government. Aligning with parties like Junts has led to defeats for the government, such as the rejection of a labor subsidy reform decree and the reprimand of the Interior Minister. Even allies like Junts have caused unexpected defeats, voting against a proposed amnesty law they had previously supported. These dynamics underscore the complexities of governing with a diverse coalition and facing opposition both within and outside the government.
Beyond plenary sessions, committees in Congress have also seen numerous defeats for the government, mainly on symbolic non-binding resolutions. Issues like housing policy have highlighted divisions within the coalition, with parties like Junts and PNV siding with the opposition on certain topics. This lack of consensus among allies underscores the challenges of governing with a diverse coalition and navigating the competing interests and priorities within the government.
Despite these challenges, the government emphasizes its ongoing legislative agenda, with 19 bills currently in progress in Congress. Projects cover a range of issues including gender equality, sustainable mobility, and family policies. However, the recent presentation of a bill to reform land laws has already faced significant opposition, with parties like ERC, Junts, and Podemos submitting amendments. The government’s ability to push through its legislative agenda will continue to be tested as it navigates a complex political landscape in Congress.
In conclusion, the Spanish government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces a complex parliamentary landscape, with challenges both from within its coalition and from opposition parties. Despite recent defeats in plenary and committee votes, the government maintains its stability for now. However, navigating diverging interests and maintaining cohesion within the coalition will continue to be key challenges for the government in advancing its legislative agenda. The intricacies of parliamentary politics in Spain highlight the complexities of governing in a fragmented political landscape and the need for strategic maneuvering to achieve policy goals.
