The Spanish government is heading into its well-deserved summer break, but the last plenary session in Congress leaves a sour taste. Despite an impressive record of winning seven out of eight votes, the executive suffered a significant setback with far-reaching consequences: the crucial Anti-Blackout Decree was unexpectedly overturned. This incident highlights the ongoing instability and fragile alliances in the current legislative period.
The Anti-Blackout Decree: Failed Before the Summer Break
The Anti-Blackout Decree, passed just over a month ago, was intended to implement urgently needed measures to strengthen Spain’s electricity system after the major blackout on April 28. The goal was to increase transparency and reaffirm commitment to renewable energy during a critical phase when major investors are hesitant to bet on green energies in Spain. Experts and industry sources warned emphatically that the decree’s failure could mean the loss of around 3 billion euros in potential investments. However, these warnings fell on deaf ears within an unusual opposition bloc.
An Unusual Alliance of the Opposition
In a surprising alliance, PP, Vox, Unión del Pueblo Navarro, Junts, Podemos, the BNG, and a dissenting MP from Sumar, with a total of 183 votes, voted against the decree. This remarkable collaboration of diverse political factions, rarely seen working together, sent a clear warning signal to the coalition government of PSOE and Sumar. It once again demonstrated how fragile the political landscape in Spain is and how quickly ad-hoc alliances can form against the executive.
The Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, had, in her defense speech, urgently appealed for “responsibility and high vision” from all parliamentary groups, emphasizing that the decree had incorporated most of the recommendations from experts commissioned after April 28, as well as numerous proposals from dialogues with various groups. However, neither the PP nor Podemos chose to participate in these discussions.
Why the Failure? Political Games Rather Than Policy
The reasons for the rejection of the Anti-Blackout Decree were diverse but primarily politically motivated. The PP justified its opposition by accusing the government of no resignations or consequences after the nationwide power outage. They also announced their intention to present their own bill to secure energy investments. This underscores the conservatives’ desire to inflict a parliamentary defeat on the government before the summer break.
Junts reaffirmed its rejection, which also included advance payments to autonomous regions, arguing that “blank checks” would not be issued and serious negotiations were necessary. Their spokesperson, Miriam Nogueras, also warned the government again to ensure the application of the Amnesty Law.
Podemos saw the decree’s rejection as an opportunity to criticize the government for allegedly concealing the responsibilities of large energy companies. BNG MP Néstor Rego reinforced this position, denouncing that the decree gave too much power to large electricity companies and promoted an unsustainable model. An MP from Sumar, Jorge Pueyo of Chunta Aragonesista, also voted against it to protect Aragón from the interests of large energy companies.
A Partial Success: Advance Payments to Autonomous Regions
Despite the setback with the Anti-Blackout Decree, the government achieved an important success: the confirmation of the royal decree facilitating advance payments to autonomous communities was overwhelmingly approved. The First Vice-President and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, praised the record sums of 21.518 million euros made available through the new contribution system without forcing autonomous regions into debt. This success mitigated the perception of defeat, even if the lingering taste of the failed decree remains.
The Spanish government now goes on its summer vacation, with 42 laws and decrees passed, but also with the certainty that the political landscape in the coming legislative period will continue to be marked by instability and challenging alliances. The battle for the future of energy supply and political power games will resume with renewed intensity after the summer.
