Spanish state: How and why the Rajoy government fell
By Dick Nichols
June 5, 2018
On June 1, the Spanish government of the ruling People’s Party (PP) of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy fell to a no-confidence motion brought against it in the 350-seat Spanish congress by the opposition Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), led by its federal secretary Pedro Sánchez.
The vote was 180 to 169 with one abstention. This result installed Sánchez as the new prime minister of Spain. It was the first time since a multiparty-system replaced the Francisco Franco dictatorship 40 years ago that a no-confidence motion has succeeded.
Read more at http://links.org.au/spain-how-why-mariano-rajoy-fell
Rajoy ousted with Catalan and Basque votes – what now?
01.06.2018
Catalan and Basque parties voted in favour of a motion of no confidence to oust Spanish president Mariano Rajoy on Friday, thus securing the support needed for Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez to form an alternative government.
The end of Rajoy’s rule in Spain comes a week after his party was convicted in the so-called Gürtel case, a major corruption scandal involving kickbacks-for-contracts.
Pro-independence forces ERC and PDeCAT, as well as the Basque Nationalist party (EAJ-PNV) and EH Bildu, confirmed their support for the motion on Thursday, adding to that of left-wing Podemos and its regional allies, as well as the Socialists (PSOE) themselves.
Read more at https://english.vilaweb.cat/noticies/rajoy-ousted-with-catalan-and-basque-votes-what-now/
Catalan government takes office lifting Spanish direct rule
02.06.2018
Direct rule in Catalonia is history after 219 days in force. This, as an automatic result of the new Catalan government’s inauguration taking place this Saturday morning. On October 27, the now ousted Spanish government implemented suspension of self-rule following the declaration of independence.
After some leaders being sent in prison, others in exile, a Catalan election and five months until a president was appointed, this Saturday a new term starts in Catalonia. But the exceptional circumstances were clear on Saturday with the symbolism in the inauguration, including a yellow ribbon set in the first row of the audience. Yellow has become the color to show solidarity with the leaders in jail and abroad.
Read more at https://english.vilaweb.cat/noticies/catalan-government-takes-office-lifting-spanish-direct-rule/
