The largest Catalan party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) wants to abstain from the parliamentary vote on the election of the Prime Minister. This would probably make it possible to re-elect incumbent Pedro Sánchez.
The socialist Sánchez had previously agreed on a coalition government with the left-wing alliance Unidas Podemos and secured the support of the Basque Nationalists (PNV). With the votes of the Catalan separatists, a majority would not have been possible for Sánchez.
"The decision is expected to make Sánchez head of government on January 7," Spanish television said. The first vote in the Madrid Parliament will take place on Sunday.
In the second ballot it should be enough
In the first ballot, he needs an absolute majority of 176 votes. In doing so, he is likely to fail. According to the Spanish constitution, a second round must take place 48 hours later.
A simple majority is sufficient here, which Sánchez will probably achieve if the ERC separatists abstain. The PSOE's talks with separatists from the breakaway region have been heavily criticized by the opposition in Spain for days.
The vote will take place around two months after the new parliamentary election. Sánchez's Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) clearly won the vote, but clearly missed the absolute majority. After consultations with all party leaders, King Felipe VI. Sánchez appointed candidate in mid-December.