What if the 15th legislature of democracy has never collapsed, but was born collapsed? The Government of the Congress of Deputies came out scalded again yesterday. He carried four decrees. The first, for the revaluation of pensions. Nothing else. And it went ahead, with the “yes” of the Popular Party.
The PSOE spent Pilar Alegría budget of his campaign to inform the retirees of Aragon through telephone calls that, because of the PP, they were no longer going to receive an increase in their pension. In view of the results, the investment was indeed profitable.
The second decree contained aid for those affected by the Adamuz railway tragedy and the Gelida accident (Barcelona). It also went ahead, with the “yes” of the Popular Party.
The third decree, to extend the so-called “social shield”, and the fourth, to cap the prices of goods and services in situations that the Government considers emergency, did not suffer the same fate.
They united their votes PP, Vox and Junts, delivering a severe defeat that answers the initial question. The Government embarked on a legislature that does not allow it to govern. Except for the Amnesty Law to (not) amnesty Carles Puigdemont, it is difficult to remember any major reform.
It is enough to transfer the question to a neutral actor: ChatGPT. “What has been the most significant reform approved in Spain during the 15th legislature?”
ChatGPT responds
To which he explains: «During the 15th legislature of the Congress of Deputies in Spain (beginning after the July 2023 elections), numerous laws and reforms have been approved, but some stand out for their political and social impact. The most significant approved so far is, without a doubt, the following: Amnesty Law (2024) ».
For the rest: «Reform of article 49 of the Constitution (eliminating the term ‘disabled’ with respect to people with disabilities). Organic Law of Equal Representation of women and men. Reforms of structural laws (such as the Judiciary, the General Electoral Regime, and public services). Various sectoral laws on sustainable mobility, customer service, public health or the environment. No trace of the Budgets.
Despite the efforts to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together, it is becoming more difficult for Pedro Sánchez to rebuild the parliamentary majority that allowed him to remain in power after losing the elections.
To his lieutenant, Maria Jesus Monterohas just under two months left in the Council of Ministers and it does not seem that he can meet any of the goals he set: approve a new regional financing system and carry out public accounts. Even today, no matter how normalized it is, the text in force on which the entire economic policy of the Executive revolves dates back to 2022.
In reality, almost no one believes it is possible for Sánchez to finish his mandate with new approved accounts. And their forecast is to exhaust the legislature until the summer of the 27th… and beyond.
Yesterday’s defeat is significant because the Government could sense the rejection of the social shield decree, due to the anti-eviction measures, but it was caught by surprise by the prices.
The far-left partners, Bildu, BNG and ERC, They already propose alternatives to be able to sustain some of the measures. Specifically, they have registered joint amendments to introduce the prohibition of evictions and interruption of supplies to vulnerable people, people with disabilities or in a situation of dependency in the Dependency Law. A maneuver that is not a guarantee of anything, because it would only go ahead if Junts says “yes.”
Félix Bolaños, tri-minister, worked hard to convince Junts from the platform. He told them that the “social shield” did not benefit the squatters. The decision was made. «Voting no to this decree is leaving people without gas, without electricity and without heating in the worst of winter,” he insisted. But nothing. The Government will now have to decide what to do, whether to approve a third social decree… or throw in the towel permanently.