Third elections in Spain would be “terrible”, says Catalan Government

Barcelona (CNA).- Calling for new elections in Spain, the third in less than a year, would be “terrible”, according to Catalan Government Spokeswoman, Neus Munté. She also emphasised that the Spanish Government has been “inactive” for many months and warned that not taking decisions has consequences for all citizens. In this vein, she called for the Spanish parties to dialogue and reach agreements to guarantee the governability in Spain. Munté’s statements come on the same day that current Spanish President, Mariano Rajoy, started his round of talks. This Tuesday he met with Spanish Unionist ‘Ciutadans’, which came fourth in the 26th of June Spanish Elections and alternative left coalition ‘Unidos Podemos’, who were the third force in the Spanish Parliament.  

In her regular press conference held after the executive meeting, Munté refused to comment on Rajoy’s first round of talks and possible agreements which may emerge after the Spanish Elections. “We will see how all this ends up; what happens with the initial statements and what is the level of receptiveness towards Catalonia’s legitimate demands”, she said.

Rajoy’s first round of talks after the 26-J Spanish Elections

The Conservative People’s Party (PP) won the 26-J Spanish Elections and obtained 135 MPs in the 350-seat Spanish Parliament. However, despite improving the result which they achieved last time out, they are far from the absolute majority and therefore agreements will be needed in order to form government. Thus, current Spanish President Mariano Rajoy, started this Tuesday the round of talks with the main parties in the Spanish Parliament.

Spanish Unionist ‘Ciutadans’ was the first party to meet with Rajoy after the 26-J Spanish Elections. ‘Ciutadans’ leader, Albert Rivera, has repeatedly insisted that they won’t say ‘yes’ to a government led by Rajoy and announced that the party’s executive will meet this Wednesday to discuss whether they will ultimately abstain or vote against this possibility. Rajoy told Rivera that his intention is to submit himself to the first investiture debate by the end of July or the beginning of August. PP has already dismissed the possibility of reaching an agreement with PSOE, the so-called ‘grand coalition’ and has bid instead for governing in minority with occasional support from the other forces. Rajoy will send a document to Rivera this Wednesday with the proposals he is willing to discuss. According to the ‘Ciutadans’ leader, the meeting was “constructive” and led to “dialogue and bridges for a term of office which will be difficult but full of opportunities”.