In the euphoria of the socialist election night on 23-J, supporters of Pedro Sánchez emphasized that the surprising vote - in which they obtained a million more votes than in 2019 - not only failed to liquidate the leader of the PSOE, as many took for granted, but had given the coup d'état to anti-sanchism and neutralized the constant criticism and accusations of Felipe González for his government and legislative alliances.
Sánchez's claim to obtain another investiture, this time not only with the support of ERC and Bildu but also with the concurrence of Junts, the formation led by Carles Puigdemont, a fugitive from Spanish justice in Waterloo, brought González , however, to raise his voice in public again. "This is not a good path", warned the former president of the government and ex-leader of the PSOE, charging against Sánchez's uncomfortable traveling companions and against their concessions to Catalan independence. Now with an amnesty on the horizon that, in his opinion, does not fit into the Constitution, just as self-determination does not fit into it.
Felipe González insisted, as always, that his opinion is free and that he only speaks for himself. But he also assumed that many Spaniards share his opinion. Also, of course, among the socialist ranks.
"What we are doing in the PSOE is absolutely consistent with the best socialist tradition", replied yesterday the Minister of the Presidency in office, the socialist Félix Bolaños. The leadership of the PSOE is thus trying to avoid, once again, that the misgivings and admonitions of the ex-president gain more strength among the socialist sectors that continue to have him as a great point of reference. "As long as we have been in government we have worked for coexistence, for the Constitution, for the affection between citizens, for territorial cohesion. And we will continue to do so in the coming times", concluded Bolaños.
Indeed, González's opinion is not exceptional in the socialist ranks, especially among former leaders who no longer hold any position in the organization. Another historical reference who shares these criticisms of González is former vice president Alfonso Guerra, who is expected to denounce the situation again soon.
The only socialist regional president critical of Sánchez in office, and with an absolute majority revalidated in the regional elections of May 28, is that of Emiliano García-Page, who is also very irritated by a possible amnesty for the indicted pro-independence by the process According to his opinion, such a measure would have no "moral basis", would break the principle of equality before the law and clash with the Constitution. "The PSOE in which I was brought up does not think about the breakup of the country", cries Page, likewise, against the demand for the self-determination referendum.
Some of José's former ministers, such as Ramón Jáuregui or Jordi Sevilla, also sound the alarm. Jáuregui - one of Bolaños' predecessors in the Ministry of the Presidency - rejects an amnesty as unconstitutional and because, in his opinion, it would involve legalizing unilateralism and "acts of disloyalty and attacks on the Constitution" during the process. "Once I've heard Puigdemont, I'm asking for elections", Sevilla responded for its part after the former president's statements.
At Ferraz, in any case, they try to avoid internal confrontation, although they allege that these critical positions respond to "personal opinions". And they assure that the entire PSOE is behind Sánchez to get his investiture and avoid an electoral repeat, after the polls cleared the way for a coalition of the PP with the ultra-right Vox.
The acting minister, the socialist Isabel Rodríguez, in turn shows "respect" for González's opinions. But he also points out that, when Sánchez approaches his investiture, "the participation mechanisms in the decision-making of the entire organization will be activated, in which all the militants will be able to express themselves". They explain to Ferraz that they do not foresee a consultation with the militancy, required by their statutes for government agreements but not for support for the investiture. But yes, the validation of eventual investiture pacts could be raised to the PSOE's federal committee, the party's highest body between congresses.
Along with Ferraz's restrained reaction, other socialist veterans are also coming out in the wake of González's criticism. One of them is Rafael Escuredo, who was the first elected president of the Junta de Andalucía in 1982. "I don't agree with those who were my political references", pointed out Escuredo. And he opted for the "new generations" who are looking for "political solutions to Spain's old problems".
Also José Montilla, former president of the Generalitat and ex-leader of the PSC, warned González that the former political leaders should maintain "certain loyalty" to the current leaders. They would also be the best suited to lend a helping hand, he says, instead of putting sticks in the wheels.
