In a state of extension

Yesterday's tense session of Congress did not spell the final blow for Pedro Sánchez . Neither the debate on corruption nor the one on defense spending achieved the outcome the opposition had hoped for after a very tough weekend for the PSOE, which had been a resounding success for the PP. The Socialist leader gave the impression of having recovered from the negative impact of the scandal caused by the Cerdán case and enjoyed the explicit support of his investiture partners. The legislative session is still in session at the time of writing.

But the PSOE cannot declare victory. The prevailing perception is that the government is in a state of constant anxiety due to the ongoing judicial investigations and that it has also lost the confidence of the parties that support it. Republican MP Gabriel Rufián summed it up well when he told Sánchez: "If the case stays here, you have to stay; but if this escalates, we will force elections."

We are, therefore, living in a state of prorogation —a term used by Junts MP Miriam Nogueras—and under constant surveillance by Sánchez's allies. The government is buying time, but remains deeply fragile. It needs something more. Having ruled out the vote of confidence because there is no desire to force its allies to make a statement, the best way to consolidate the executive branch would be to secure approval of the next general state budget. Without new budgets, it will indeed be very difficult to make it to the end of the term.

Sánchez overcame yesterday's difficult session by digging into the archives and comparing the corruption cases affecting him with those experienced during the terms of José María Aznar and Mariano Rajoy. He even cited the case of Felipe González, in a clear settling of scores, due to the former president's statements in recent days. This and yours more was the worst part of the debate and managed to drive a visibly irritated Alberto Núñez Feijóo crazy . Once again, he relived a story he knows well: there's no way to finish off his rival. Sánchez will fall, but yesterday wasn't his day yet.