Regarding your editorial on the results of the Spanish election (24 July), it is perhaps worth considering that while it is a huge relief to see the radical-right Vox party come out of the election in a significantly worse place than they were before, the position of the pro-Catalan separatist Junts party as a possible kingmaker is equally worrying.
As you rightly say, the cause of Catalan independence has lost its edge in recent years thanks to the handling of the situation by the Socialists (PSOE) led by Pedro Sánchez – a long way from the “referendum” held under the previous conservative People’s party (PP) administration and the ensuing violence.
This is the problem. It is actually in the best interests of Junts to allow the situation to get worse – so it is unlikely, in my view, that they will act as kingmakers for the PSOE and its leftwing allies Sumar in any reasonable way – the best outcome for them is probably for fresh elections and a new PP/Vox administration which will be so confrontational as to fan the flames of Catalan independence once more.
The threat of Vox in power is still there and is still real.
Jeff Sutton
Madrid, Spain
• A difficult, but possible, strategy would be for the PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, to launch an offer to Pedro Sánchez for a German-style pact backed by 255 deputies out of a total of 350.
The possible results would stabilise and consolidate the advances made by the Sánchez government, neutralise and reduce the presence of the Vox party in the institutions, proclaim to Europe that a cordon sanitaire is possible for the anti-European extreme right and extreme left, establish stable and inclusive alliances with the centre-nationalist Catalan and Basque parties, and reduce the influence of Catalan and Basque separatist radicalism with its disintegrative messages for the European Union.
Europe would feel confident with an alliance of these centre-left and centre-right parties and Spain would emerge strongly in Europe, leading and defending its integrating values.
Fernando Villoria Díez
Santander, Spain
• While I cheer the partial success of PSOE/Sumar in preventing a PP/Vox coalition, the left must learn quickly. While I have become suspicious of the term “the common good”, the fundamentals of secure and respectful work, housing, healthcare and education must be prioritised. I believe that once these necessities are resolved, the appeal of the right dematerialises.
Can I add that your editorial mentions of the pro-independence Basque party EH Bildu and its links with the Basque separatist paramilitaries ETA? This is often repeated by the Spanish right wing as a reason not to vote for the left. It is worth remembering that without recognition of Irish republicanism, there would be no Good Friday agreement.
Matt Johnson
Mungia, Spain
• As a Spaniard, I have felt quite proud of my compatriots. Indeed, we proved ourselves sensible enough to realise the danger implied in a government including an extreme-right party.
However, Mr Sánchez will have to prove, once again, his snake-charming capabilities to attract the support of the Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont at a reasonable cost (something done quite successfully up to now with Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya and EH Bildu).
If he fails to achieve this, he will risk another election later this year, without the benefit of a number of factors which were in his favour this time – including the fact that the elections were held in a holiday period, where more people backing right parties would be away from home, and the sense of sure victory which led many rightwing supporters not to bother voting.
Adrián Mazarío Díez
Alboraya, Spain
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