Almost three hours of debate in the Senate on September 6 framed the first great face-to-face between Pedro Sánchez and Alberto Núñez Feijóo. More than two hours for the president, a short half for the leader of the opposition in a technically correct but politically questionable use of the regulation served to measure strengths and weaknesses. The axes of an intense political course were launched with the economy as the center of the debate due to the impact of the war in Ukraine. Sánchez, surprising the PP, had picked up the challenge of holding a debate in the Senate, where Feijóo does have a seat.
The president was looking for a face-to-face meeting with the popular leader in the Senate since the polls published during the summer gave the PP an advantage and a transfer of votes from socialism. The objective, then and also in the face of today’s duel, is to try to puncture the so-called “Feijóo effect”, reverse its image of moderation and management capacity built in Galicia. And, as noted, the little oratory of him. The September debate, according to what was reflected in the polls, gave Sánchez a slight advantage. It has been the Moncloa that, this time, has proposed to appear in the Upper House. The general elections appear within the framework of a long year.
The use made by the president of his prerogative of unlimited time, and the confinement to which Feijóo had to submit did not end up playing in favor of the first. No formal changes have been decided for today’s debate, but it is foreseeable that the socialist leader will use it in another way. At least, in the reply to the rest of the groups in the Senate -he grouped them-, taking into account that it is a chamber of territorial representation.
But regardless of the times and its political use, the debate was settled on the economic axis. The president and the ministers entered the hemicycle without ties. It was the first symbolic image after Sánchez asked in July not to use this garment in order to save energy. He began a long and dense speech pivoting on what could happen this winter with energy, inflation and employment. He drew a difficult scenario but guaranteed support for families, small and medium-sized businesses and the self-employed.
The president assured that they would not be dramatic measures, that there would be no blackouts or supply cuts, he spoke of the Iberian exception, announced that it will also apply to cogeneration facilities and explained his efforts in the European Union to diversify energy sources. The president wanted to make it clear that in this crisis the citizenry will not be abandoned as in 2008, when “neoliberal recipes” were used. This is where the Government wants to draw the great dividing line. He therefore recalled the measures adopted such as the increase in the minimum vital income, the transport and fuel discount.
The analysis of the debate on September 6 marks some guidelines for today’s duel, although with some differences. The scenario of no agreement that was drawn 6 weeks ago has changed at least in the negotiation of the renewal of the General Council of the Judiciary. Sánchez and Feijóo have been seen in Moncloa.
It will be necessary to evaluate the tones but the confrontation is still open on most fronts. The president of the PP criticized the drifts of the Government in terms of the energy model, the indebtedness of the State and its consequences on citizens, he accused him of not knowing how to contain inflation.
But above the economic story appeared the mutual disqualifications. The president wanted to transfer the image of an inoperative Feijóo, unmask his “silence”, “insolvency” and linked his leadership to the business world. Sánchez wanted to overwhelm. Feijóo tried to endure without losing his moderation, attacked the PSOE’s relations with Bildu and offered him an agreement if he breaks with his legislature allies
The political course will be hard. The general elections are expected to be held within a long year. Today in the Senate the forces will be measured again. The Government arrives willing to underline the difference between two tax models, taxes on energy, banking and large estates. But, above all, to disarm Feijóo, who intends to remain faithful to “moderation.”
