Junts’ ultimatum amid trade tensions and uncertain meeting between Sánchez and Puigdemont

Wednesday 16 April 2025 - 15:36

By: Zahouani Ilham

Junts’ ultimatum amid trade tensions and uncertain meeting between Sánchez and Puigdemont

The trade war initiated by Donald Trump has shifted focus from domestic disputes, at least for now. After weeks of reduced tension between Junts and the Spanish government, Carles Puigdemont's party has issued a new ultimatum: if Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez does not fulfill his commitments by May, Junts will stop supporting the government. However, in Moncloa, there is no sign of panic. Government sources assure that discussions with their independentist partners are proceeding as usual. "From the beginning, this government will always maintain the same attitude of dialogue, agreement, and work with all groups," said government spokesperson Pilar Alegría on Tuesday.

The government has neither set deadlines nor made gestures to calm tensions, instead leaving the possibility of a meeting between Sánchez and Puigdemont open. Jordi Turull, the party’s secretary-general, suggested that such a meeting could help resolve the situation, although he emphasized that it is not about just a photo-op. "Two people who made a very risky agreement should meet and discuss everything. We're not looking for a photo, but it would be good for them to speak face-to-face," he explained in an interview with TVE.

Junts is using the prospect of a meeting to pressure Sánchez, who had already expressed openness to such a meeting in December. "I have no problem with it; I don't know exactly when, but I will definitely meet with the leaders of both ERC and Junts per Catalunya," Sánchez had said, without conditioning the meeting on Puigdemont's prior amnesty. Four months later, Moncloa states that "when it happens, it happens," but no date has been set. They stress that the photo is less important than what is actually approved in Congress.

Previously, Puigdemont demanded this meeting as a prerequisite for negotiations on the 2025 General Budget. However, with little chance of approving it this year, Junts now frames the meeting as a "political amnesty" gesture. "If you've passed an amnesty, why won't you meet with the former president of the Generalitat?" Turull asked. He argued that such a meeting would affirm Puigdemont as "a valid political interlocutor and asset." He also criticized certain judges as self-proclaimed "saviors and guardians of the established order."

Pending Agreements and Unfulfilled Deals Junts' secretary-general highlighted that key issues, such as the use of Catalan in the European Parliament and amnesty, remain unresolved, exacerbating distrust. He also reminded the government of unfulfilled agreements, such as the transfer of immigration powers to Catalonia.

Despite offering to cover the costs, the Spanish government has not yet resolved the issue of Catalan official status in the European Parliament. Recently, the EU approved Spain’s request to include Catalan in European Schools, institutions primarily for the children of European diplomats or NATO workers.