PM Sánchez seeks to restore transport subsidies and boost pensions after Congress defeat

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is considering several options to increase pensions and restore transport subsidies after Congress rejected his government's omnibus decree this week. 

A cabinet source said they will not abandon the 12 million pensioners who were expecting a 2.8% increase, in line with inflation, which was included in the defeated decree.

One of the options on the table is a decree containing only the measures on pensions and transport, although it has not yet been decided "how or when it would be approved."

Sánchez has called on the parties to approve a new "omnibus" decree, but pro-independence Junts and the conservative People's Party have indicated they will only support a decree limited to pensions and transport measures.

"Responsibility and common sense"

In statements to the media, Sánchez once again appealed to the "responsibility, common sense, and social empathy" of the parties that voted 'no' on Wednesday, in order to approve a new "omnibus decree" containing measures on pensions, public transport, and DANA flood aid.

"There are many social measures in the decree law. They need to be aware of the pain caused and reconsider their position, to allow the approval of a royal decree law that is in favor of the people."

Presidency minister Félix Bolaños said pensioners "can be calm" because the Spanish government is already "looking for solutions." 

Another minister told Onda Cero radio network that "the ball is now in the court of the parties that voted against these measures."

Parties blame Sánchez

Opposition parties on the other hand have blamed Sánchez for the parliamentary defeat. 

Carles Puigdemont's Junts has accused Sánchez of failing to honor his agreements with them and urged the Spanish government to present a new decree, including only the measure on pension increases and transport subsidies.

The government "tries to sneak its program into every initiative it presents" to Congress, Junts spokesperson Míriam Nogueras said in a radio interview with SER Catalunya.

"The parties have two options: swallow what they tell us and the blackmail that will follow or say no," she said, adding, "we all know that [another] decree will end up being approved."

The PP meanwhile argue that the scenario demonstrates the need for a snap general election and announced they would present a bill in Congress to "save" the update to pensions. 

Public transport prices

Public transport prices have already risen in some cases since the Congress vote. 

New higher fares for the subsidized T-usual and T-jove tickets will come into effect on February 10, Barcelona's Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) announced on Friday morning.