The referendum on Catalan independence has become a bargaining chip in Spain's struggle for power

Alberto Núñez Feijóo's party won the most seats in the July elections. Photo: Susana Vera/Reuters

Catalan separatist politicians are demanding an independence referendum in exchange for Spain's leftist government remaining in power.

On Friday they blocked the Conservatives from taking power by refusing to back a vote to take power. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, despite his party being the largest after the July elections.

As a result, Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez needs Catalan support to stay in power and avoid new elections. Catalonia's two main pro-independence parties have joined forces in support of a regional parliamentary proposal, promising not to support the future Spanish government unless it promises to “work to create effective conditions for the referendum.”

Mr Feijoo said he was against the referendum. Photo: Fernando Villar/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Friday's agreement between the ERC The Catalan parties and the Juntas (Together) came hours before their deputies in the Spanish national parliament voted to block the assumption of office by Prime Minister Mr. Feijoo, leader of the conservative Popular Party of Spain (PP), for the second time in a week.

It will be Mr Sánchez's turn to try to piece together a majority, in which half a dozen left-wing and regional forces will be needed to support the socialist leader.

The support of the ERC and Junts is crucial for Mr Sánchez, who has been prime minister since 2018 -minister and heads a seemingly unstable minority government.

The alternative is repeat elections in January.

Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez needs the support of the Catalans to stay in power. Photo: Susana Vera/Reuters

Mr Sánchez and other members of his government have already made it clear that they will agree to a political amnesty for Catalan politicians and activists who still face criminal charges in connection with the 2017 events. The region's parliament declared independence after a wild referendum marked by violent clashes between police and voters.

But backing preparations for a referendum in Catalonia may represent a concession too far.

“If we have to go back to the ballot box and let citizens choose, we will do so,” Salvador Illa, leader of the Catalan Socialist Party, said Friday.

“We will not take a single step towards division and division Catalan society,” added Mr. Illa, who was Mr. Sánchez’s health minister during the Covid pandemic.

Mr Sanchez has been prime minister at the head of seemingly fragile minority governments since 2018. Photo: Fernando Villar/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Mr Feijoo said he was against both the amnesty and the referendum, and Mr Sánchez would make his position clear.

Mr. Sanchez stayed out of this week's debate, leaving Mr Feijoo twice unable to win a 172-vote majority in the 350-member Congress.

< p>The PP leader was backed by the far-right Vox party, which several Catalan and Basque parties cited an obstacle to their support.