Spain's Junts demands Sánchez's resignation and proposes Congress vote

Junts turns up the pressure: demands Sánchez's resignation and a Congress vote on his replacement

Junts per Catalunya took a step forward on Wednesday by demanding the resignation of Pedro Sánchez and proposing that the Congress of Deputies choose a new prime minister. Junts's spokesperson in the lower house, Miriam Nogueras, was blunt: "Step aside and let this Parliament put forward someone capable of delivering for Catalonia and the Catalan people." The pro-independence party believes Sánchez "has neither a majority nor the legitimacy to hold power" and that "everything cannot be paralysed by one person."

Junts's demand, however, has not been welcomed even among the government's usual partners. Critical reactions were quick to trinc: some point out that the proposal sidesteps the route of a no-confidence motion and, above all, avoids any mention of calling a general election. "Chosen by Congress... and no mention of elections?" asks one analysis that sees in the move an implicit admission that elections are considered pointless. Others call the manoeuvre "theatre" and argue that the real goal is not corruption but "having another puppet" to keep applying pressure. At heart, scepticism prevails: "They don't want to hear the word elections, not even as a joke," sums up one of the most sceptical positions.

The debate leaves a paradox on the table: Junts wants to change the occupant of La Moncloa, the Spanish prime minister's residence, but without going to the polls. A demand that clashes with the arithmetic reality of Congress and that, for now, has found no explicit support beyond the party itself. The wounded legislature continues without a clear direction.