Former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar warned Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the People's Party, against partnering with Junts for a censure motion.
The warning highlights a strategic rift within the Spanish right regarding the most effective way to remove Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez from power. Aznar said that a motion of censure lacking a guaranteed victory is a tactical error that could weaken the opposition.
Speaking Wednesday, Aznar said that it makes no sense to present a motion of censure if it is not going to be won [1]. He said that relying on Junts would not provide the stability, or the numbers, required to secure a change in government [1].
Aznar emphasized the need for a broader political coalition to ensure a successful transition. He said that a wide centrist majority must be constructed to be capable of tearing down and overcoming the "wall of Sánchez" [2].
The former prime minister framed the current political struggle as a fundamental clash over the identity and direction of the state. He said the effort to remove the current administration will be national or it will not be [2].
By opposing a deal with Junts, Aznar is pushing Feijóo toward a strategy that prioritizes a centrist consensus over a fragmented alliance of convenience. This approach seeks to build a more durable majority in the Congress of the Deputies that can withstand the volatility of regionalist party demands.
“No tiene sentido presentar una moción de censura si no se va a ganar”
This internal tension reveals the difficulty the People's Party faces in balancing the need for regional allies with the desire for a stable, centrist national mandate. If Feijóo ignores Aznar's warning and proceeds with Junts, he risks a failed motion that could solidify Sánchez's position. Conversely, attempting to build a 'centrist majority' may take longer and require concessions that some in the party's base may find unacceptable.
