Not like that, Mr. President

On Monday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez launched a new, unpredictable advance against democracy by initiating an intimidating offensive against the autonomy of judges and the independence of the media.

After leaving Spaniards in uncertainty and confusion for five days, he appeared in the morning at the Moncloa Palace to deliver a speech without taking questions, once again portraying himself and his family as victims of harassment by what he called dark forces of a supposed «global reactionary wave, which aims to impose its regressive agenda through defamation«. Later that evening, during an interview on public television, he clarified that his decision to continue leading the executive, which he described as a «full stop», would involve soon implementing legislative measures to control non-compliant judges and journalists.

It is almost sarcastic that the president, who has contributed most to dividing Spaniards in the history of our democracy and has moved his own Socialist Party (PSOE) away from the consensus enshrined in the 1978 Constitution, complained about a toxic political environment and polarization of which he has been the main agent. During his inauguration speech on November 16, he advocated building «a wall against the far right and the extreme right parties«, and his inexplicable and constant «position changes«, which the opposition calls simple lies, have confused the vast majority of citizens.

The supposed «social majority» that Sánchez wields cannot hide the weakness of his parliamentary majority —comprising PSOE, communists of Sumar, and nationalist and separatist parties from Catalonia and the Basque Country— which has prevented him from approving this year’s budget and has paralyzed his government’s legislative action due to the unacceptable and ongoing blackmail from his allies. This weakness recently led him, bypassing institutions, to appeal to the masses, demanding adherence to his persona as the unique leader, the sole embodiment of the left, and the last guarantee of democracy and progress.

The mobilization organized during his five days of «reflection» for no real reason was a flop, with only a few thousand supporters carried in the streets of Madrid, and the catharsis to which he subjected Spaniards after his unusual and whimsical decision to temporarily abandon his responsibilities has turned into a farce. In a liberal democracy, the head of the Executive is obligated to be accountable; the role of the opposition and independent press is to monitor the actions of the Executive; and the role of the courts is to determine if the Government has broken the law. Politics cannot become mere propaganda spectacle nor can democracy be reduced to a mere game of arithmetic.

He has the right to sue in courts for defamation or slander he finds in what he considers fake news and he has the privilege to give detailed explanations in Parliament, but does not have the right to place himself above the law or shield himself from all criticism or disagreement. Discrediting institutions and labeling political opponents as enemies only reveals an autocratic and leader-centric temptation absolutely incompatible with our rule of law.

Generating states of collective hysteria, fostering hate and division among citizens, provoking confrontations between institutions or bending them to his service, and dividing the nation is not what Spain needs. If he truly cares about the degradation of public debate and the polarization we have reached, he should use this «full stop» to start working towards reconciling Spaniards and not look for culprits where there are none.

THE OBJECTIVE, as an independent and pluralistic newspaper, will continue reporting what those in power, any power, do not want citizens to know. We are journalists. We fulfill the social function of the press as a counterpower, which is not a whim or a stance, but a duty in favor of freedom that in a democracy worthy of its name is only limited by the Criminal Code. And we will always do so within the framework established by our Constitution and contributing to the peaceful coexistence of Spaniards.