From amnesty to the question of confidence

We must always turn to the Constitution. Monsignor Argüello is right on target, and it's no joke. Therefore, this week the Constitutional Court will rule that the Amnesty Law fully complies with the Constitution. A political agreement, the amnesty itself, was formalized within the framework of the investiture of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez , thus allowing for the unblocking of the current situation, in this multiparty era without absolute majorities. Therefore, we must accept with complete sportsmanship the recommendation of the President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference—"when a deadlock arises, we must turn to the Constitution"—and not be swayed by the noise and partisan interpretations of all those who see, in the prelate's words, only a call for elections. The Amnesty Law was a recourse to the Constitution. Now, what would that mean?

Let's elevate the public debate in our country. Before reaching the conclusion that Argüello wants elections, which we don't deny, we must, as a matter of prudence, exhaust all the articles of the Constitution that could be used to address what is a new situation of deadlock in the midst of sulfuric acid. First Vice President María Jesús Montero herself said this at the CC.OO. federal congress: "It's not enough." Asking for forgiveness isn't enough, just as appearing at a plenary session of the "porrusalda," as the PNV spokesperson points out, isn't enough. To fully restore trust with PSOE members, members of the Congress of Deputies, and ultimately with all voters, much more must be done.

The president has wanted to keep the 112 card, the question of confidence, to himself for the moment.

The institutions belong to all Spaniards. And they are governed by those whom the citizens elect in each democratic election. We have also seen, in less than five years, how in Portugal, for example, three electoral processes have been held, and today the leading opposition force is the authoritarian right, which, they say, is of great concern to the various doctors of our Church. Argüello and his spokesperson , García Magán, should never forget that the gentleman writes straight with crooked lines. For all this, some legitimately suspect that resorting to the Constitution means early elections, and others, on the contrary, prefer to exhaust all the articles of the Magna Carta, as we humbly believe is best to strengthen democracy in Spain, before reaching Article 115, which requires the early calling of elections after the dissolution of the Cortes. If new elections were to be held immediately, it is certain that Vox would ipso facto be decisive in the composition of the Council of Ministers. So, be careful what you ask for and what you receive. The right, civil, religious, political, always stumbling over the same stone: their desires and their haste.

The framework is the vote of confidence and, therefore, Article 112. And the challenge is to overcome the stage fright of all the players. The roadmap is clear: Congressional confidence, the general state budget, and elections in 2026. Where are we? At that point of deadlock where, understandably, the investiture partners are experiencing ambivalence, just as they did during the 2018 vote of no confidence.

This week, in fact, they will be satisfied with the constitutionality of the Amnesty they promoted and voted for, as an expression of a plurinational, transversal, and peripheral Spain, which must give meaning to the "everyone in" principle. But at the same time, they will be disappointed by the lack of determination to rise, from forgiveness to restoring confidence, through an instrument that allows the Prime Minister to achieve three objectives: to break the deadlock, to speak about the Spain we are, and about the agreements needed for Spain to continue moving forward. That is the key right now, even if the noise from Madrid City is focused only on the activation of Article 115. We must turn to the Constitution, Monsignor Argüello. Of course. Article 47 regarding housing. Regarding immigration, the entire Constitution. There are many more articles before an election is called as a response to sulfuric acid. Meanwhile, every day that passes doesn't gain another week, but rather loses another week of government. We're 10 days in, 10 weeks less. The president has decided to keep the letter from 112, the vote of confidence, to himself for the time being... Writing straight with crooked lines.

Next week 5% NATO Agreement

NATO has softened its position and will not force Spain to spend 5% of GDP on defense. A Yugoslav minute and the president's three-pointer in the midst of Trump and Netanyahu's bellicose drift toward Iran. Increasing defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP was unrealistic to achieve the interoperable capabilities set by the Alliance. The approach of defense spending as a proportion of GDP has always been insignificant in terms of the real effort and needs of each country. It's not about spending more, but rather spending better together as NATO.

The Hawkeye Alexander

Since my ears are ringing with Alejandro Fernández, of the Catalan People's Party (PP), in the midst of his dithyrambs surrounding our analysis, with conclusions that are only in his head, we want to recommend with a smile a song he's well acquainted with, technically, in the face of the "plurinational psychosis" he officially suffers: Alejandro by Lady Gaga, from her 2011 election campaign. Psychology studies "projection," a defense mechanism of one's own self. A reprehensible impulse that speaks volumes about the one who promotes it. From self-esteem to self-deception. Ale-Alejandro. Then and now.