The objective of the PP of Catalonia on 12-M is to grow “substantially” and, if the arithmetic supports, to have the “key” to decide the investiture and turn the page on the process. This is what the candidate, Alejandro Fernández, has stated again today, but the circumstances of Spanish politics, President Pedro Sánchez’s order and his offensive introduce important nuances. If possible support from the PP to the PSC was already complex, at this time it would be more difficult.
In a press conference at the Agència Catalana de Notíces, the popular candidate indicated that he is running to “promote a new stage in Catalonia”, with other protagonists. To facilitate Illa’s investiture, it would be necessary, he has said, for him to break the pacts with the independentists in Catalonia and Madrid, a scenario that he sees as not very viable today. Sánchez’s offensive after threatening to resign and betting on a “democratic regeneration”, which builds another “wall” in the eyes of the PP, does not offer any incentive, at least during the campaign, to draw pact scenarios.
Quite the contrary, if Sánchez’s movement generates deep support in the socialist sphere, in the conservative sphere it will also generate deep rejection. And, therefore, the PP campaign will continue to aim at the double Catalan and Spanish key: “end independence in Catalonia to also end Sanchism.” A message that will be insisted on after this week marked by Pedro Sánchez’s decisions, which impact the Catalan campaign.
On Monday, after Sánchez announced his decision to remain in Moncloa, the popular people already indicated that 12-M will be the first opportunity for citizens to express themselves on the matter. The PP of Catalonia trusts that the debate in a Spanish key can help it mobilize a part of the vote more inclined to speak out in the general elections.
The strategy followed in the Barcelona City Council, where the popular Daniel Sirera facilitated the mayorship of the socialist Jaume Collboni, does not serve as a reference now, according to Alejandro Fernández. The PP of Barcelona then had to choose between “Guatemala and Guatemala,” he said, referring to a pro-independence municipal government. “The scenario in the Parliament is even worse, because PSC, Junst and ERC go together,” he stressed.
