‘Ciutadans’ proposes a triangular alliance to fight pro-independence forces

Barcelona (CNA).- Anti-Catalan nationalism ‘Ciutadans’, have proposed a coalition whereby they, the conservative People’s Party (PP) and the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) would unite against “those who want to break the country apart”. “If there isn’t a roadmap for change, there won’t ever be stability and the populists will take advantage of our system’s decadence” warned Ciutadans’ leader, Albert Rivera, and added that “Spain is not negotiable”. Ciutadans, which obtained 40 MPs in the 20-D Spanish Elections, have repeatedly insisted on their commitment to fighting against Catalonia’s independence and although they criticised Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s politics during the electoral campaign, are now calling for “a state agreement” to guarantee Spain’s “unity, democratic regeneration and economic stability”. Ciutadans’ offer comes after the PSOE refused the PP’s proposal to reach an agreement.

Rivera wants to guarantee that “nobody can take advantage of the weakness, uncertainty and instability to break the country apart”. “It is fundamental to reach a state agreement which would guarantee unity, democratic regeneration and economic stability, because Spain is not negotiable” declared Ciutadans’ leader at a press conference. “It is not possible that pro-independence parties reach agreements and those who defend the Constitution don’t” he stated.

Therefore, he proposed a triple alliance with the PP and the PSOE which would have as its main purpose “binding fundamental agreements of democratic reform” and establishing a roadmap to avoid “populists taking advantage of our system’s decadence”. “We can’t wait any longer, because Spain can’t stay stagnant” he stated.

The need to reach agreements after the 20-D

The results of the 20-D Spanish Elections will force the political parties to reach agreements, as none of them have obtained an absolute majority of 175 MPs out of the 350 seats in the Spanish Parliament.  To address this, current Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy met with the PSOE’s leader, Pedro Sánchez. A possible agreement between the two main forces in the Spanish Parliament would mean an absolute majority, as the PP obtained 123 MPs and the PSOE 90. However, Sánchez insisted on their ‘no’ to Rajoy and assured that they would work to form a government of change. “The possibility of reaching an agreement is non-existent” stated Sánchez “the Spanish citizens said no to Rajoy and to his policies”. After meeting with Rajoy, Sánchez also announced that he will “explore all the options” to form “a progressive government”, rather than calling for new elections. He also stated that the presidency of the Congreso de los Diputados, the Spanish parliament, should be held by a PSOE member in order to guarantee plurality in the lower chamber.