The new Government chaired by Pedro Sanchez It will be born under the sign of the polarization that marked the investiture session. This circumstance, which does not detract in any way from its status as a legitimate government, will constitute its greatest conditioning during the next legislature. Of his ability to overcome the current level of tension Its effectiveness and may even depend on its duration. In times of political and economic anxiety like the current one, polarization constitutes a major obstacle to any government work. Governing in times of crisis requires, above all, the support of a broad social base for the decisions that have to be made. In particular for economic policy, territorial policy and everything that has to do with governance. Can a government that emerged from so much confrontation achieve this? The most sensible path is to make a virtue of necessity, paraphrasing candidate Sánchez.
First of all, the Executive must be aware of the looming economic difficulties. Pedro Sánchez knows that the European Union is going through a difficult time that does not invite much joy. A beginning of recession that could hit some of the main European economies and that will end up affecting the Spanish economy. This context, unfortunately not present in the investiture debate, invites moderation, against some of the proposals made by Sumar and other parties that have supported this coalition government. The new Executive will need to have the support of the PNV and Junts per Catalunya to approve the budgets and this can help Sánchez to defend more prudent positions and rebuild the damaged dialogue with employers and unions.
The other field where restraint must prevail over decree is that of territorial politicsl. In his first intervention, Sánchez criticized some autonomies governed by the PP and Vox. As a candidate, it was his right to do so. From now on, he must act and speak as president of all Spaniards. Only then will he be able to contribute to rebuild an essential dialogue between institutions. This need, derived from the territorial power of the Popular Party, can contribute to facing another important challenge for the Executive: convincing that it treats all Spaniards on an equal footing. To do this, Sánchez will have to manage the sleepless competition between Junts and Esquerra Republicana. He will have to do it in accordance with the documents signed with both forces, but attending to a policy of solidarity more necessary than ever in times of crisis.
Finally, the President of the Government cannot ignore the opposition that his agreement with Junts provoked in large sectors of the judiciary. The preamble of the amnesty law has managed to calm some waters, which were not only those of the most conservative sectors. Sánchez must continue demanding that the PP abandon its incomprehensible blockade of the General Council of the Judiciary. However, after the unfortunate reference to ‘lawfare’ in the Junts agreement, a lot of pedagogy will have to be done among judges and magistrates to convince them that the Executive is respectful of the division of powers that is the foundation of all democracy.