KING Felipe VI's annual Christmas Eve speech once again included a covert appeal to secessionist politicians, as well as raising concerns about young adults' struggle to afford housing and violence against women.
Budget voted down: Sánchez to announce decision over snap election
13/02/2019
PRESIDENT Pedro Sánchez has failed to secure support for his 2019 budget following a Parliamentary debate and vote, and is expected to reveal on Friday whether or not he intends to call an early general election.
Catalunya’s pro-independence parties – despite being offered generous concessions and extra funding – voted against the proposed budget, saying they would not give it their backing unless Sánchez agreed to a legal referendum on secession.
Their votes were crucial, given that Sánchez’s socialist party holds a very slim minority – barely a quarter of all Parliamentary seats.
In total, 191 votes were cast in favour – including those of all bar two dissenting members of left-wing Podemos – and 158 against for the total amendments listed.
Along with Catalunya regional parties, the right-wing outfits – the PP and Ciudadanos – voted against, meaning it is likely the 2018 budget will have to be carried over, preventing spending on social programmes and stifling Spain’s progress.
But if Sánchez does opt to govern without an up-to-date budget, he would alter the fundamental aspects of it with a raft of Royal Decrees, or Bills of Law, says treasury minister María Jesús Montero.
Sra Montero said the socialists, or PSOE, would ‘continue to work at’ its policies, hinting that the party may decide to carry on until the general election is automatically due in November 2020.
A snap election date of April 14 was initially rumoured, but this would mean dissolving Parliament within less than a week, and a subsequent date of April 28 may not be workable if it falls too close to Easter.
The PP and Ciudadanos say April or even May would be too early, and the election should take place in October – although they both agree it should be held ‘as soon as possible’.
It has also been intimated that a general election could be held on May 26, the same day as the local council, regional government and European Parliamentary votes.
Related Topics
PRESIDENT Pedro Sánchez has failed to secure support for his 2019 budget following a Parliamentary debate and vote, and is expected to reveal on Friday whether or not he intends to call an early general election.
Catalunya’s pro-independence parties – despite being offered generous concessions and extra funding – voted against the proposed budget, saying they would not give it their backing unless Sánchez agreed to a legal referendum on secession.
Their votes were crucial, given that Sánchez’s socialist party holds a very slim minority – barely a quarter of all Parliamentary seats.
In total, 191 votes were cast in favour – including those of all bar two dissenting members of left-wing Podemos – and 158 against for the total amendments listed.
Along with Catalunya regional parties, the right-wing outfits – the PP and Ciudadanos – voted against, meaning it is likely the 2018 budget will have to be carried over, preventing spending on social programmes and stifling Spain’s progress.
But if Sánchez does opt to govern without an up-to-date budget, he would alter the fundamental aspects of it with a raft of Royal Decrees, or Bills of Law, says treasury minister María Jesús Montero.
Sra Montero said the socialists, or PSOE, would ‘continue to work at’ its policies, hinting that the party may decide to carry on until the general election is automatically due in November 2020.
A snap election date of April 14 was initially rumoured, but this would mean dissolving Parliament within less than a week, and a subsequent date of April 28 may not be workable if it falls too close to Easter.
The PP and Ciudadanos say April or even May would be too early, and the election should take place in October – although they both agree it should be held ‘as soon as possible’.
It has also been intimated that a general election could be held on May 26, the same day as the local council, regional government and European Parliamentary votes.
Related Topics
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