This Friday, Alberto Núñez Feijóo will witness the signing of a significant agreement by the eleven regional presidents of the People’s Party (PP), the Vice President of the Canary Islands, and the leaders of Ceuta and Melilla. The gathering, set to take place at the Palace of the Dukes of Pastrana in Madrid, is intended to project an image of a cohesive and unified party. The PP aims to showcase its strength and solidarity in contrast to a fragmented Socialist Party (PSOE), which is currently grappling with internal divisions over regional financing issues.
However, the agreement reached will not introduce a new proposal for immediate discussion with María Jesús Montero, the Minister of Finance. Instead, it represents a foundational consensus on a strategic approach. The PP is emphasizing a commitment to “multilateralism,” insisting that any future negotiations about the outdated financing system—established in 2009—will be conducted within the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy (CPFF) rather than through isolated bilateral talks with the government.
Feijóo’s strategy is to present a unified front against what he has criticized as “deceitful” bilateralism, a term he used to describe the government’s approach. The PP’s stance is designed to counteract the PSOE’s recent call for a “fairer” financing model, which, while superficially aligned with the PP’s demands, is laden with implications that may differ between the two parties.
The backdrop to this agreement is a broader debate surrounding “singular financing,” a concept featured in the pact between the PSC and ERC to support Salvador Illa’s presidency of the Generalitat. Feijóo’s presentation aims to frame the debate as a clash between a united PP and a divided PSOE, a narrative that will dominate media coverage over the weekend. The event is meticulously planned to mirror the formality of a Conference of Presidents, further reinforcing the PP’s image of unity and resolve.
Ayuso disrupts unity with her boycott of Sánchez
The carefully orchestrated unity within the People’s Party (PP) was unexpectedly disrupted by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, who called for a more aggressive approach towards the government. Speaking at a PP event in Arganda del Rey, Ayuso urged her fellow regional leaders to reject any bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his ministers, accusing the government of attempting to “bribe” autonomous communities to undermine the PP’s cohesion. She argued that such tactics were designed to weaken PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s position and fragment the party’s strength. “We cannot sit before this petty policy to negotiate anything,” Ayuso declared.
Her remarks reverberated throughout the party, coming at a critical juncture just before a high-stakes summit meticulously planned at the PP’s headquarters on Calle Génova. The PP’s national leadership had been celebrating its ability to present a united front and achieve a common position among diverse regional interests despite internal disagreements. They had emphasized that the upcoming meeting would not delve into technical issues but instead focus on presenting a unified stance.
In response to the controversy sparked by Ayuso’s statements, PP sources sought to clarify the party’s position. They asserted that while regional presidents were free to set their level of engagement with the central government, the national leadership would neither endorse nor prohibit such meetings. This position aligned more closely with the sentiments expressed by other regional leaders, including Fernando López Miras of Murcia and Alfonso Fernández Mañueco of Castile and León. Both have expressed a desire to engage in direct discussions with Sánchez on crucial issues such as water management, migration, and regional financing.
López Miras, for instance, highlighted his eagerness to address these pressing matters after years of unsuccessful requests for a meeting. Meanwhile, Fernández Carriedo, spokesperson for the Junta de Castilla y León, defended the value of bilateral meetings as essential forums for addressing regional concerns. Despite differing views on engagement tactics, there is a shared commitment to multilateralism within the PP, reflecting a consensus on the importance of maintaining a united front in negotiations with the central government.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the key change in Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s approach to regional financing negotiations?
Feijóo has allowed the eleven regional presidents of the People’s Party (PP), along with the Vice President of the Canary Islands and the leaders of Ceuta and Melilla, to engage directly with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. However, he has explicitly prohibited these regional leaders from negotiating financing agreements independently of the PP’s national strategy.
Why has Feijóo allowed regional leaders to meet with Sánchez?
Feijóo’s decision aims to facilitate direct communication between regional leaders and the Prime Minister. This move acknowledges the importance of dialogue and negotiation on regional issues while maintaining a unified party stance on key policies and strategies.
What are the limitations imposed on the regional leaders?
While Feijóo has granted permission for meetings with Sánchez, he has barred the regional leaders from making any independent financing agreements. This restriction ensures that all significant financial negotiations align with the PP’s overarching strategy and are conducted through formal channels, such as the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy (CPFF).
What is the significance of the CPFF in this context?
The CPFF is a central forum for discussing and negotiating regional financing issues. Feijóo’s strategy emphasizes multilateral negotiations within this council rather than bilateral agreements with the government. This approach aims to present a united PP front and to ensure that any agreements reflect the party’s collective position.
How does this strategy impact the relationship between the PP and the PSOE?
Feijóo’s approach reflects a cautious stance towards the PSOE. By preventing unilateral negotiations, the PP seeks to avoid any potential fragmentation or division that could arise from individual regional leaders making separate deals. This strategy is intended to strengthen the PP’s negotiating position and maintain internal cohesion.
What was Isabel Díaz Ayuso’s role in this situation?
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, disrupted the planned unity by urging regional leaders to reject bilateral meetings with Sánchez. She accused the government of attempting to undermine the PP by bribing regional leaders. Despite her stance, the PP’s national leadership has not fully adopted her approach but has maintained a focus on presenting a unified front.
How are other regional leaders responding to Feijóo’s strategy?
Other regional leaders, such as Fernando López Miras of Murcia and Alfonso Fernández Mañueco of Castile and León, have expressed a willingness to engage in bilateral discussions with Sánchez on specific issues. They support multilateralism but also see value in direct negotiations to address regional concerns.
What are the next steps for the PP in this process?
The PP plans to continue negotiating within the CPFF while adhering to Feijóo’s directive for a unified stance. The party will also need to navigate the internal dynamics and differing opinions among its regional leaders to effectively address regional financing and other critical issues.
Conclusion
Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s decision to permit regional leaders of the People’s Party (PP) to engage directly with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez while simultaneously restricting them from negotiating financing agreements independently underscores a strategic balancing act. By allowing these meetings, Feijóo acknowledges the importance of regional input and direct dialogue with the central government. However, his move to veto unilateral agreements ensures that all negotiations remain aligned with the PP’s unified stance and broader strategic goals.
This approach aims to maintain internal party cohesion and present a consolidated front in discussions about regional financing. It reflects Feijóo’s commitment to multilateralism through the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy (CPFF) rather than fragmented bilateral negotiations. While this strategy is designed to strengthen the PP’s negotiating position and avoid internal divisions, it also highlights the ongoing challenges of managing diverse regional interests within a unified national framework.
