Amidst high-stakes negotiations, socialist candidate Francina Armengol clinched a significant victory, garnering the support of the hard-line faction of the Catalan independence movement, leading to her election as parliament Speaker.
The socialist government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Spain achieved a notable milestone by gaining control of the presidency over the parliament’s central administrative body. This achievement was made possible through the last-minute endorsement of the socialist candidate by two pro-Catalan independence parties.
In a moment of relief for Spain’s outgoing prime minister, Francina Armengol, a prominent figure from the Socialist Party of the Balearic Islands, secured the backing of the resolute wing of the Catalan independence movement. This endorsement propelled Armengol to the role of the new president of Congress, solidifying her position through an absolute majority vote.
This parliamentary ballot is widely perceived as a trial run for a crucial investiture vote scheduled for the following month. The impending investiture vote holds the key to determining the formation of the government.
With 178 favorable votes out of a total of 350 in the Chamber, Armengol outshone the candidate of the conservative Popular Party (PP). Despite commanding the largest group in Congress with 137 seats, the PP failed to garner the requisite backing from other parties to establish a substantial majority.
In a strategic move, the socialist party PSOE secured support from the pro-Catalan independence party Junts. This support came with concessions, including efforts to enhance co-official languages in Congress, an inquiry into the Pegasus case, and initiatives aimed at addressing the aftermath of the contested Catalonian referendum of 1-O.
Following inconclusive national elections on July 23, no major party emerged with a straightforward path to assembling the necessary support for government leadership. This scenario has left both left-wing and right-wing parties in a delicate equilibrium, engaged in a competitive struggle for political power.
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