Unemployment benefit reform decree, no. But anti-crisis and recovery decrees agreed with Brussels, yes. That has been the final position of Podemos in the face of the momentous votes that the Executive underwent this Tuesday.
After some express last-minute negotiations, the five purple deputies have decided to vote in favor of the decree extending measures against the crisis derived from the war in Ukraine but against that of unemployment benefits, which leads to the latter, promoted by the Ministry of Labor led by Yolanda Díaz (Sumar), to decline given the reluctance announced by PP, Vox, UPN and Junts.
Podemos's position has been harshly criticized by Sumar, the party behind the decree. The spokesperson for En Comú Podem, Aína Vidal, has described it as "enormous lack of respect for the unemployed in our country. While the Más Madrid deputy, Íñigo Errejón, has summarized it as "profound irresponsibility."
Faced with the setback, both have agreed on Sumar's commitment to "continue working and move things forward," underlining that the government is very clear about its objectives: "to protect the working class and protect the economy of this country."
When there were barely 15 minutes left to reach the deadline for telematic voting, Podemos announced its rejection of the unemployment benefit decree. Its general secretary, Ione Belarra, has regretted that the coalition Executive has not committed to withdrawing the "cut in the pensions of people who receive the subsidy at age 52" for which she has confirmed that Podemos has "rejected" its approval but not before inviting the Council of Ministers to approve another similar decree but without the reduction in social contributions for that age group.
This is a direct blow to Sumar, a confederal group of which Podemos formed part until a few weeks ago, and especially to its leader, Yolanda Díaz, whom Belarra has accused of having silenced in their brief coexistence within the same parliamentary group. .
On the other hand, Podemos has sealed an agreement with the PSOE to support the anti-crisis decree. Belarra has advanced the change of vote by having "included an extension of mortgage evictions" for vulnerable families until 2028 as well as the commitment that the decree will be processed as a bill within a maximum period of six months. Period during which he will negotiate with the purple formation the freezing of rental prices as well as the cap on margins in food prices.
