Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was returned to power on Thursday November 16 by Parliament for a new four-year term at the head of Spain.
The socialist obtained the confidence of an absolute majority of 179 deputies, thanks in particular to the crucial support of the seven votes of the party of Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont, in exchange for an amnesty measure which deeply divides the country.
In power since 2018, the socialist obtained the votes of 179 deputies after two days of tense debates, a number greater than the absolute majority set at 176.
This vote of confidence puts an end to nearly four months of blockage since the legislative elections of July 23 and will allow Mr. Sanchez to form a new government with his allies in the far-left Sumar coalition.
Coming second in the July election, behind his conservative rival Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the Prime Minister has had to negotiate in all directions in recent weeks the support for his renewal from several regionalist groups, whose votes are crucial in a very fragmented Parliament.
In particular, he had to convince the party of Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont, leader of the attempted secession of Catalonia in 2017, who fled to Belgium six years ago to escape legal proceedings launched against him.
Agreeing, after intense negotiations, to support Mr. Sanchez, Mr. Puigdemont obtained, in exchange for the votes of the seven deputies of his party, the upcoming adoption of an amnesty law for hundreds of separatists pursued by Justice. A measure that will allow him to return to Spain.