Pro-independence bloc halts PP leader's bid for PM in Spanish Congress

The conservative People's Party leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, was not elected as the next Spanish Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon in a vote in the Spanish congress, as Catalan pro-independence parties voted against the politician taking on the role.

Pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and Junts all voted against the conservative leader who had his first attempt to become the next PM on Wednesday after a two-day debate. Feijóo will now have a second opportunity to be named PM on Friday. However, it is not expected for the candidate to get the necessary majority.

Junts and Esquerra deputies voted against Feijóo, who got 172 votes in favor and 178 against.

No amnesty

Alberto Núñez Feijóo began his speech by announcing his intention to create a new crime of "constitutional disloyalty." 

Feijóo voiced his clear opposition to an amnesty for pro-independence figures over their role in Catalonia's 2017 independence referendum, which was deemed illegal by Spain.

"I am not going to defend that. I have principles, limits and my word," the PP leader said.

"Above all I have a duty that I will not evade," he added.

The candidate for prime minister also ruled out an independence referendum in Catalonia.

The PP won the most seats in the Spanish general election in July, but fell well short of a majority. But the Socialists are better placed to win the support of congress to govern, though they need the support of several smaller parties, including Catalonia's ERC and Junts.

Historic agreement

During the debate on Tuesday's conservative leader's bid for Spanish prime minister, pro-independence parties defended and pushed for an amnesty law and "historic deal" as they both presented their "number of reasons" to vote against Alberto Núñez Feijóo.

ERC's spokesperson in the Spanish congress Gabriel Rufián defended that the first party benefited from amnesty would be Spain and its democracy. However, he emphasized that "it has to set the bases for the next October 1 [referendum] that can allow Catalonia's self-determination."

Gabriel Rufián also welcomed Junts into the "defense of past fights that they did not defend."

Puigdemont's party Junts, who find themselves in the role of kingmakers as their votes would be enough to push either candidate for PM over the line, warned the Socialists that "there are not yet the conditions to get to an historic agreement" and that Sánchez will have to create them.

Miriam Nogueras, Junts' spokesperson in Congress, added that there are no "legal barriers to do a referendum, what we lack is political will." 

Two votes

After the debate, the first vote took place with MPs one by one declaring out loud: "yes," "no" or " abstention".

Feijóo needed an absolute majority to back him, at least 176 MPs in this first vote.

As he failed in his first bid, the congressional speaker, Francina Armengol, called a new vote 48 hours later, on Friday.

During this second debate, Feijóo will have 10 minutes to ask for the support of the chamber again, and each parliamentary group will have 5 minutes to reply.

Voting will be carried out in the same way, but on this occasion, Feijóo only needs a simple majority to be elected PM, with more votes in favor than against.

Election countdown starts

After Feijóo failed to win the first vote, the countdown to another election began.

Congress has two months to elect a prime minister, otherwise, an election will be called for 54 days later.

Therefore, Pedro Sánchez would need to win the support of congress before November 26. Otherwise, Spain will go to the polls again on January 14, 2024.