"In a democracy, the revolution takes place in the BOE", warned the historical socialist Ramón Rubial. It is an appointment that Pedro Sánchez usually resorts to, but that the PSOE leadership already celebrated yesterday when the news was carried in the Official State Gazette. "By virtue of the provisions of article 62 of the Constitution, I appoint Pedro Sánchez as president of the Government, to whom Congress has given its confidence by an absolute majority in the first vote", certified Felipe VI to the BOE.
With the appointment already published, Sánchez went to the Zarzuela yesterday to take possession of the position. And then he returned to Moncloa, where he threaded the needle to fulfill the next step: the formation of the coalition government of the PSOE and Sumar.
But, despite the fact that Moncloa and Ferraz predicted that the president could announce the composition of the new executive on Saturday itself, the appearance will be delayed.
Sánchez draws up the organizational chart with the closest collaborators, such as the minister Félix Bolaños and the chief of staff, Óscar López. Also with contacts with vice-president Yolanda Díaz, leader of Sumar, regarding the portfolios that the minority partner will assume.
Outside the closest circle, Sánchez does not give any signal, and acting and ministerial ministers – the differences in the PSOE continue to boil over – ensure that they are still waiting for a call. "We still have no indication", they insist.
While the president is putting together all the pieces of the new Council of Ministers, some in the PSOE are betting that the announcement could come on Sunday, although others believe that it could be delayed until Monday. The logic, says the majority, is that the newly formed government could meet on Tuesday for the first regular meeting.
Even before Congress endorsed his re-election as president by an absolute majority of 179 seats, Sánchez already defined the future executive with just three adjectives: "Legitimate, democratic and constitutional".
Despite this, the leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, described the investiture as a "mistake". And the leader of the ultra-right Vox, Santiago Abascal, described it as a "coup d'état". Fueled by these admonitions, every night there are protests and riots in front of the PSOE headquarters on Carrer Ferraz in Madrid. And numerous socialist village houses appear vandalized every morning throughout Spain. Even a group of retired military commanders yesterday urged the Army to "impeach" the Prime Minister.
But not only the Constitution and parliamentary democracy endorse the royal decree of the appointment signed by the King. The cascade of congratulations that Sánchez is receiving since he won the investiture, from numerous heads of State and Government, and from other international authorities, are opposed to the accusations of illegitimacy, and even illegality , who wield the right.
From the Presidents of the Commission and the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, to the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, or the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenski, congratulated Sánchez for having obtained the investiture.
The Canadian Justin Trudeau also celebrated the re-election of Sánchez, and highlighted a relationship "based on common values, including the protection of human rights and democracy, as well as a commitment to make people's lives better".
And the welcome of the Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, to the formation of the new government in Spain, in "a process rooted in its democratic system", was very significant. "We hope to further strengthen the lasting bond between the US and Spain, an indispensable ally, valuable partner and friend," he said.
