PP Revises Stance on Junts Two Years After Illegalization Proposal

The events of early 2024 were defined by strong opposition to the amnesty law negotiated by the ruling party. On that specific January day, the Partido Popular utilized a press conference to register a bill. The objective was clear: to prevent parties from operating if they advocated for secession. Miguel Tellado presented this initiative as a necessary measure to protect the constitution. The proposal aimed to amend the Penal Code to include specific offenses targeting those who undermine national unity.

This legislative push was not isolated. It occurred amidst growing public demonstrations against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The PP's move was framed as a legal shield against the perceived concessions made to the pro-independence movement. By proposing the dissolution of parties like Junts, the PP sought to legally dismantle the infrastructure supporting the independence push. The atmosphere at the time was one of confrontation, with the PP positioning itself as the primary defender of constitutional order against the amnesty deal.

As time has passed, the rhetoric from the Partido Popular has softened regarding Junts. The party leadership, currently under Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has acknowledged a working relationship with the party led by Carles Puigdemont. This acknowledgment of 'interlocution' marks a stark departure from the calls for illegalization heard two years prior. The PP now engages with the very entity it sought to ban.

This strategic pivot suggests a pragmatic approach to the current parliamentary reality. With the government relying on various support votes, the PP may be positioning itself as a viable alternative capable of negotiating with diverse political forces. Confirming dialogue with Junts allows the PP to maintain a channel of communication with a key political player in the Spanish landscape. It moves the party away from the isolationist stance of 2024 toward a more engaged political posture.

Alongside the shift regarding Junts, Feijóo has also sharpened his criticism of other right-wing parties. He specifically targeted Vox, offering a pointed assessment of their political utility. According to Feijóo, Vox presents itself as an opposition force but lacks the intent or capability to actually govern. He suggested that the party enters elections primarily to disrupt rather than to administer.

This critique serves a dual purpose. First, it distinguishes the Partido Popular as the only party on the right capable of governing effectively. Second, it attempts to consolidate the conservative vote by highlighting the perceived futility of a Vox vote. By framing Vox as a party that 'does not intend to govern,' Feijóo aims to position the PP as the sole serious option for conservative voters. This internal critique on the right contrasts with the external dialogue established with Junts.

Looking back over the two years since January 3, 2024, the trajectory of the Partido Popular reveals a significant evolution. The initial reaction to the amnesty pact was one of legal aggression, seeking to outlaw political opponents. The proposal by Miguel Tellado to dissolve Junts was the peak of that confrontational era.

Today, the reality is different. The PP has moved from proposing the illegalization of Junts to confirming active dialogue with them. Simultaneously, the party is working to undermine its competitors on the right, specifically Vox. This dual strategy of engaging with the left-leaning independence movement while attacking the far-right suggests a repositioning of the PP as a centrist-right force capable of negotiation. The 'constitutional disloyalty' proposed in 2024 has been replaced by political pragmatism.