Adding weight to the PSOE's passivity but not threatening the Government

The meeting held yesterday by the PSOE and Sumar following the crisis that erupted within the Socialist party's ranks due to the multiple ramifications of the Koldo case ended without agreements, without progress, and without a timeline of actions that would suggest a solution.

Far from restoring the harmony of the coalition government, the meeting exposed the tension between the partners. And while Sumar demands swift responses and decisive measures, the PSOE remains cautious in the face of a corruption case that has already implicated its last two organizational secretaries.

The confederal space warns that "make-up and immobility" put the legislature at risk

"We have the feeling that the PSOE is unaware of the seriousness of the situation," Sumar spokesperson Ernest Urtasun complained at the end of the meeting. The PSOE, for its part, declined to comment on the meeting.

At a press conference, Culture Minister Urtasun urged the Socialists to emerge from the "state of shock" they find themselves in following the devastating report from the UCO (University of Cordoba) detailing Santos Cerdán's alleged corruption. He warned that the legislature is reaching a turning point and that, without decisive action, it risks running aground.

"It is urgent to adopt bold measures against corruption and in defense of social rights, because the greatest danger now is inaction or mere window dressing," he declared, accompanied by representatives of the various forces comprising Sumar, in a gesture intended to demonstrate unity and firmness in the face of the crisis.

Among the warnings issued by the minority partner were those of Sumar's general coordinator, Lara Hernández, who suggested that "the government is risking its future with the decisions made today"; Chunta leader Jorge Pueyo, who lamented that the PSOE "is heading toward an abyss"; and IU spokesperson Enrique Santiago, who summed up that the socialist party "is in debt" both in terms of regeneration measures and in terms of the money supposedly "stolen by the plot," which must be returned as soon as possible.

Despite the harsh assessment, Sumar once again avoided questioning his continued presence in the government and agreed, as later expressed by Socialist sources, that the entire executive branch's intention is to complete the term until 2027.

And to this end, the five Sumar representatives at the meeting presented the PSOE with a "roadmap to prevent the legislature from running aground." These measures include the approval of a comprehensive anti-corruption law that would prohibit companies convicted of corruption in the last decade from participating in public tenders for 20 years; the extension of the disqualification for politicians convicted of these types of crimes to a maximum of 30 years; the expropriation of assets acquired with illicit funds; the creation of an independent anti-corruption agency; and tougher penalties for bribery, improper bribery, and tax crimes. "This must be the basis for resetting the legislature; now the ball is in the PSOE's court," Urtasun warned.

Despite the public discontent, Sumar sources believe the PSOE will soon make its move. And they point to next Sunday as a key date. "We must understand that they have a Federal Committee meeting on Saturday, which won't exactly be a bed of roses for Sánchez. But as soon as the Prime Minister closes that meeting, the next step will be to open the coalition government meeting," Sumar sources explain, suggesting that calm among the partners could come after the internal socialist turmoil.

A photo of unity for varying degrees of indignation

Sumar sought to project an image of cohesion and firmness in the face of the seriousness of the scandal that has led to the imprisonment of the former number three of the PSOE, Santos Cerdán. But, beyond the united gesture, each of the forces in the confederal group set their own bar for demands. The spokesperson for the United Left, Enrique Santiago, adopted one of the harshest tones, demanding full transparency from the PSOE regarding the implications of the case and warning that Sumar will pressure the majority partner in the Executive to adopt its proposals. "Sumar is not in the Government as an extra," he concluded. From Aragón, Jorge Pueyo (Chunta) lamented that the PSOE has not offered guarantees that there will be no new consequences arising from the case and warned that the battery of measures proposed by Sumar could be "the last lifeline to the Government." Initiative MP Alberto Ibáñez expressed a similar opinion. Having assumed a more visible role within the Compromís coalition following the departure of Águeda Micó (Més Compromís) from the plurinational group to join the mixed group, Ibáñez demanded "clear guarantees" that Pedro Sánchez "closed the door to corruption upon arriving at Moncloa and did not simply replace the doorbell from Génova with that of Ferraz." Javier Padilla (Más Madrid) expressed "deep dissatisfaction" after the meeting and warned that "it's not enough to say the wolf is coming. We must act to prevent the wolf from coming," he claimed, demanding measures against "the crooks who line their pockets with public funds." Along those lines, José Ramón Becerra (Verdes Equo) warned that the government is at a "crossroads" caused by the PSOE, and that his departure now depends on Sánchez's reaction. From the Comunes party, Candela López also appealed for forcefulness: "Whoever falls."

This aspiration, however, remains to be seen. Even now, with the Koldo case threatening the foundations of Ferraz and with Pedro Sánchez in one of his most delicate moments, Yolanda Díaz's party is failing to impose a pace or implement measures that visualize the "reset" of the mandate he insistently proclaims. The question is whether the severity of the current crisis will be enough to alter this inertia or whether tension will continue to dictate the pace of the coalition government.