Sánchez expected to be voted in as prime minister on second day of debate
Pro-independence parties ERC and Junts among those to support Socialist candidate for reelection
Pedro Sánchez is expected to be reelected as Spanish prime minister today, with a vote to be held in Congress on the second day of his investiture debate.
Almost four months on from the inconclusive Spanish general election of July 23, the Socialist candidate seems certain to garner the support of 179 MPs out of 350 in the chamber, an absolute majority.
The Socialists have agreed a series of pacts with various political groups, including Catalan pro-independence parties Esquerra Republicana (ERC) and Junts, including a controversial amnesty law for individuals involved in Catalonia's independence push over the past decade.
Fiery debate
In a fiery first day of debate on Wednesday, Sánchez defended the amnesty, countering rightwing arguments that it goes against the Constitution, saying instead "it will be a display of its strength and its validity." Sánchez and coalition partners Sumar laid out plans for a four-year term.
The leader of the conservative People's Party – who won the most seats in July's election but were unable to form a majority – accused the Socialists of "political corruption," while far-right Vox compared Sánchez to Hitler.
ERC's spokesperson said his party now have the capacity to "force" Sánchez to organize an independence referendum in Catalonia "tomorrow," while Junts expressed their displeasure with Sánchez's references to the amnesty law as "forgiveness" in his speech.
What is happening now?
Thursday's session began with the speech of Basque nationalists Bildu and PNV, followed by the Galician nationalist BNG, all supporting Pedro Sánchez's bid.
Mertxe Aizpurua, spokesperson for Bildu, criticized the People's Party (PP) for using "legal and oligarchic movements and the media" to block Sánchez's candidacy.
"[The PP] rejects an amnesty for people who have not committed a single crime, but praises the 1977 amnesty, which gave total impunity to Francoist crimes," she added.
Aitor Esteban, the PNV's congressional spokesperson, said the amnesty bill was 'courageous' and defended the text as constitutional. He criticized the conservatives for using Catalonia as an excuse to call a new election.
"If there is something that threatens the stability of the system, it is not the investiture, but street riots, institutional disrespect and lies," he said.
Next, MPs from the three groups that comprise the Mixed Group addressed the chamber: Nésto Rego (Galician Nationalist Bloc), Cristina Valido (Canarian Coalition) and Alberto Catalán (Navarrese People's Union).
The debate will conclude with a speech by Socialist congressional spokesperson Patxi López, followed by a roll-call vote in which Sánchez is expected to win by majority, with the support of eight political parties and 179 votes.