Pedro Sanchez will support Mariano Rajoy over Catalan Independence

FOLLOWING the appointment of Carles Puigdemont as first minister of Catalonia and his undertaking to proceed with the quest for Catalonian independence, Pedro Sanchez, leader of the PSOE Socialist Party, which won the second largest number of seats at the 2015 general election, has indicated that he will support the interim government’s stand against Catalonian independence but will never form a coalition with them.

He has made it clear that he is totally opposed to Mariano Rajoy (who he believes will be an increasing problem if dialogue with Catalonia is to be achieved) returning to power and still hopes to be able to form an alternative government with the new radical party Podemos and anti -independence Ciudadanos, with him as prime minister.

There is a problem, however, as Podemos, whilst not in favour of an independent Catalonia, does support the concept of a referendum, which is anathema to Ciudadanos, and not wanted by the PSOE.

Until such time as there is a majority government within Spain, regardless of its make-up, the matter will continue to seriously hamper the governing of the country and will clearly give confidence to the pro-independence parties.