Spain is in the midst of a constitutional and judicial power struggle
By: Manuel Ostos
Has an unprecedented blow to democracy occurred in Spain? This is what the President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, affirms, supported by the political parties of the left. Congress of Deputies voted on a reform of the judiciary at Sánchez’s request, but the Constitutional Court rejected it on Monday.
What was the meaning of the reform? In the first place, suppress the crime of sedition, which would have allowed the Catalan independence leaders who had gone into exile in Geneva, Brussels and Scotland to return to Spain freely.
In October 2007, these politicians unilaterally declared the independence of Catalonia, thus violating the Constitution. But President Sánchez wanted to make peace with the Catalan independence movement. For this reason, he is willing to make concessions, although this could lead to the breakup of Spain and the appearance of a new state called Catalonia.
The Spanish Constitutional Court has suspended the parliamentarians’ decision, something unprecedented in the 40 years of democracy in Spain. Spain faces a confrontation between constitutional and governmental power, unlike any other European country. Spain broke the scheme and opened the way to the chaos of democracy.
Pedro Sánchez has indicated, “The Government will adopt as many measures as necessary to end the blockade of the Judiciary and the Constitutional Power.” This means that the battle between judges and parliamentarians will continue, giving the world a sad image of a broken Spain.
The President of the Lower House, Meritxell Batet, has warned of the “danger of delegitimizing the institutions.” What happened has indeed caused surprise and rejection in the partners of the European Community.
But who is right?
The reason must be the magistrates who ensure that no one violates the Constitution. But on the other hand, Congress has the right to approve decisions as representatives of the Spanish people. A moral slap in the face was delivered to Pedro Sánchez by the Constitutional Tribunal, which the right-wing opposition parties have welcomed. But the story is not over. Democratic chaos in Spain has been guaranteed.
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