The issue of Venezuela, which started as a question of foreign policy, has become a matter of internal politics in Spain, leading to a parliamentary victory for the PP on Wednesday. The chavismo movement has always drawn a clear line between left and right, and the Popular Party has managed to garner support from the more moderate sector of the bloc that supports the Government. Both the PNV and Coalición Canaria will vote in favor of a proposal in Congress that recognizes opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the winner of the recent elections in Venezuela and the legitimate president of the country. However, this symbolic gesture by the Spanish Parliament lacks legal value, as only the Government has the authority to officially recognize leaders of foreign countries.
The Parliament debate highlighted the lack of agreement between the two major political parties in Spain, the PP and PSOE, regarding the recognition of the Venezuelan opposition leader. The PSOE emphasized the need for the European Union as a whole to make a decision on recognizing the opposition’s victory, while the PP rejected this approach in favor of unilateral action. There was also disagreement on the role of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, a former Spanish president involved in negotiations with the Venezuelan government, with the PP criticizing his involvement and the PSOE supporting his mediation efforts. The lack of consensus on this issue was evident in the parliamentary discussions, showcasing the deep divide between the two parties.
The PNV’s decision to support the PP’s proposal ensured the latter’s victory in the parliamentary vote. The PNV had some reservations due to previous criticism from the PP when they refused to push for urgent questioning of Pedro Sánchez on this matter. The PP’s spokesperson, Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, who is known for her fiery speeches, delivered a passionate defense of democracy in Venezuela against the totalitarian regime, which earned her praise even from political opponents. However, her speech lacked the strong rhetoric used by some members of her party, who accused the Government of favoring Maduro by providing asylum to the opposition leader.
The PSOE representative, Cristina Narbona, countered the PP’s arguments by highlighting the Government’s efforts to support Venezuelan refugees in Spain. She criticized the PP’s portrayal of recognizing González as a magical solution for Venezuela’s democracy, referencing previous unsuccessful attempts with Juan Guaidó. The left-wing groups in Parliament criticized the PP for their alleged double standards, accusing them of not condemning similar situations in other countries, such as the alleged coup against Evo Morales or the situation in Palestine. The debate highlighted the deep political divisions within the Spanish Parliament on the issue of Venezuela.
Overall, the parliamentary debate on recognizing the Venezuelan opposition leader as the legitimate president showcased the ideological differences and political tensions within the Spanish Parliament. The PP’s victory in the vote reflected their stance on the matter, while the PSOE emphasized the need for a coordinated approach within the European Union. The discussions also brought to light the differing opinions on the role of international mediators like José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, indicating the complexity of the situation and the challenges of reaching a consensus on foreign policy issues.
