Spanish conservative party Popular Party (PP) is strongly criticizing the coalition government and the proposed amnesty for Carles Puigdemont, former Catalan leader. They believe that a decisive victory in the upcoming European Parliament elections will prompt early general elections in Spain. The PP launched its campaign for the European elections with a massive rally in Madrid, highlighting their opposition to the Amnesty Law, which is set for final approval in Congress. Supporters at the rally expressed anger over the pardoning of Catalan independence leaders and the policies of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government.
PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called on Sánchez to withdraw the amnesty law and demanded early general elections, citing lack of parliamentary support for the coalition government. He believes that the current government has brought the country to a standstill by abandoning general state budgets and failing legislative initiatives in Congress. Feijóo accused Sánchez of authoritarian behavior and attempting to silence political opponents through media criticism and focusing on the far-right. The PP aims to resist what they perceive as Sánchez’s authoritarian drift and ensure that the voice of the Spanish people is heard in Europe through the European elections.
The PP is framing the European elections as a referendum against Sánchez, seeking to mobilize their base against the amnesty for Carles Puigdemont and challenge the policies of the current government. They aim to showcase their street-level influence and gauge support for their stance on sovereignty, particularly in light of recent election outcomes in Catalonia. Despite polls indicating that the PP is poised to win the European elections, Sánchez’s Socialist Party has been narrowing the gap in recent weeks. The PP hopes that a strong showing in the EU elections will signal to Sánchez a shift in Spain’s political landscape.
The rally at Puerta de Alcalá in Madrid drew a significant turnout, with participants waving Spanish and European flags to demonstrate their support for the PP’s opposition to the Amnesty Law. Feijóo urged citizens to reject the current government at the ballot box and emphasized the importance of voting to counter the perceived authoritarian tendencies of Sánchez. The PP president accused Sánchez of wanting the public to be subservient and criticized his approach to silencing political opponents. Feijóo rallied supporters to vote united to achieve victory in the European elections and push for early general elections in Spain.
The Popular Party is mobilizing its supporters against the coalition government and the proposed amnesty for Catalan independence leaders, aiming to win the European Parliament elections as a referendum against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The PP’s campaign focuses on defending the primacy of the Constitution and the equality of all Spaniards, challenging Sánchez’s policies and seeking to change the political landscape in Spain. The party hopes that a strong showing in the EU elections will send a clear message to Sánchez and prompt early general elections. As the political climate in Spain intensifies, the PP is positioning itself as a strong opposition force against the current government.
