Left-wing allies sink Sanchez's migration deal

"Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's fragile truce with Catalan separatist party Junts has unravelled after a controversial migration proposal was voted down in the Spanish Congress. The initiative, which sought to transfer powers over immigration to the Catalan government, was rejected on Tuesday after several of Sánchez's own left-wing allies broke ranks and opposed the deal. The measure had been negotiated between the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) and Junts as part of a delicate balancing act to keep Sánchez's minority coalition in power."

"Delegating control over migration was seen as a major concession to Catalan nationalists, who have long demanded greater autonomy from Madrid. Yet the proposal split the government's wider bloc of progressive partners, with Podemos, Compromís and other deputies refusing to back what they described as a flawed and even discriminatory text. In the final vote, the motion was defeated by 177 votes to 173."

"Podemos argued that the bill contained "racist undertones" and risked undermining the rights of migrants, while Compromís MP Alberto Ibáñez said he could not support a measure that was "incompatible with progressive values." The defeat is a major setback for Sánchez, who has relied heavily on ad hoc agreements with nationalist and regionalist parties since returning to office. The failed migration pact now throws into question the government's ability to manage future legislation, especially on sensitive issues that require unity across its fragmented parliamentary base."

A migration proposal to transfer immigration powers to the Catalan government was defeated in the Spanish Congress by 177 votes to 173. The measure had been negotiated between the Socialist Party (PSOE) and Junts to sustain Sánchez's minority coalition. Podemos, Compromís and other left-wing allies opposed the bill, describing it as discriminatory and saying it risked undermining migrants' rights. Opposition parties PP and Vox also voted against the plan. The defeat raises doubts about the government's ability to pass future legislation and triggered anger from Junts over the collapse of the agreement.

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