Alberto Núñez Feijóo wasted no time in his investiture speech and launched a direct attack on the negotiations between the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the separatists, hoping that it would be Pedro Sánchez’s investiture that would bear fruit. He dismissed the idea of amnesty or any similar formula as a means to resolve the Catalan conflict, emphasizing that merely addressing the right to self-determination through a referendum or an equivalent measure would not suffice in his opinion.
Feijóo’s opening remarks were devoid of preamble, indicating his intention to dive straight into the heart of the matter. With his strong stance against the PSOE’s alliance with the independence-seeking parties, he sought to warn against the potential consequences of accommodating their demands.
The Galician leader highlighted the issue of the Catalan conflict, asserting that amnesty or its equivalents should not be considered as viable solutions. Instead, he proposed that acknowledging the Catalonian people’s right to decide their future through a referendum or an analogous method would be essential for genuine resolution. However, Feijóo quickly made it clear that this alone would not be sufficient in his view.
By posing the rhetorical question, “Would that be enough?”, he challenged the audience to reflect on whether granting the right to self-determination was a satisfactory solution. While some might argue that enabling the Catalonian population to express their will through a vote could bring about a resolution, Feijóo firmly rejected this notion. His position suggested that true resolution required a more comprehensive approach, encompassing diverse perspectives and alternatives beyond a simple referendum.
Feijóo’s forceful rhetoric set the tone for his investiture speech as he signaled his unwavering opposition to what he perceives as inadequate attempts to address the Catalan issue. By explicitly stating that the negotiations between the PSOE and the separatists would not lead to fruitful outcomes under the current framework, he positioned himself as a staunch critic of the proposed alliance.
In this highly charged political climate, Feijóo’s speech not only echoed the sentiments of many who oppose granting amnesty or similar concessions to the separatists but also aimed to challenge the prevailing narrative surrounding the Catalan conflict. By rejecting the notion that a referendum alone would suffice, he urged for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to finding a lasting solution.
As Feijóo continued his investiture speech, it became evident that he intended to outline alternative strategies for resolving the Catalan crisis. His forceful rhetoric and direct criticism of the PSOE’s negotiations with the separatists set the stage for a contentious debate in the days to come.
