Spain’s Government at a Crossroads

CONTENT

  • LISTENING
  • READING
  • VOABULARY AND TRANSLATION
  • COMPREHENSION
  • TRUE OR FALSE
  • GRAMMAR - Modal Verbs
  • SPELLING
  • PREPOSITIONS
  • ANSWER KEY

Intermediate/Upper -Intermediate -07/11/2025

"Catalans do not live from headlines and broken promises"
-Miriam Nogueras

Spain’s Government at a Crossroads

Spain’s government may be facing one of its most difficult moments in recent years. The Junts party has decided to leave the coalition led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. This break could be a big problem for the government because it will be harder to pass new laws and keep the country stable.

 

Ms. Nogueras' remarks follow a recent resolution by party members to cut ties with the Socialist Party.On October 30, an overwhelming 87% of participating members in an internal vote, endorsed the decision to move into opposition. This outcome was based on a voter turnout of 66% of eligible members.

 

The decision, which marks a significant shift in the party's political strategy, comes amidst ongoing debates about the future of Catalonia's independence movement. Analysts suggest that Junts' move to distance itself from the Socialists reflects growing tensions over differing approaches to achieving self-determination, with some members pushing for a more confrontational stance while others advocate for dialogue and negotiation. More dialogue and talks around the the table could work, but has Sanchez gone too far. Was he really serious from the outset or is he just  buying time?

 

Junts says the Socialists have not kept their promises. The party wanted more progress on the amnesty law and for Catalan to be officially recognized as a language in the European Union. Because of this, Junts members have blocked more than 50 new laws, including an important judicial reform. Madrid has offered to continue talking, but Junts says the government should be more serious about Catalonia’s demands.

 

 

Miriam Nogueras, Spokesperson for Pro Independance Party Junts

“The break is irreversible" - Junts Party

Political experts believe this situation could be a sign of Spain’s deep divisions between Catalonia and Madrid. In recent studies, researchers said that regional parties like Junts now have more power to stop or change national policies. This may be one reason why Sánchez’s government is weaker than before.

 

If things continue like this, there will be a risk of new elections. Sánchez may be forced to govern by decree or make temporary deals with smaller parties. However, that could be difficult and may be unpopular with the public. Economically, a political crisis could be bad for investors and for the country’s progress. It may even provoke early elections

 

A possible solution should be to rebuild trust. The Socialist Party could try harder to deliver on its promises to Catalonia and open new talks about Spain’s political system. Maybe this crisis will be an opportunity to improve cooperation and find a fair balance between regions.

 

As Catalans, I wonder what you think. Is this break away from the Socialist Party a provoked response. Has Pedro Sanchez renegaded on his promises?

 

“The people of Catalonia, throughout its history, has democratically expressed its commitment to self-government, in order to strive for more progress, welfare and equal opportunities for all its citizens, and to reinforce its own culture and its own collective identity. Catalonia's self-government is also based on the historical rights of the Catalan people, on its centuries-old institutions and on the Catalan legal tradition. ”
- Parliament of Catalonia 2013

Choose this topic for your next class and receive feedback on your pronunciation and learn new vocabulary  and use of modal verbs  while expressing your opinion.

VOCABULARY (English – Catalan – Spanish)

English Word

coalition-  union, coming together of

promise- pact, agreement between two people or parties

law- judicial orders, rules

reform- change, update

government- leading or ruling  party

election- choose

investor- people who bring money into a region

crisis- dilemma, big problem

division- split or fractioning of two entities

cooperation- working together, in unison

Catalan

coalició

promesa

llei

reforma

govern

elecció

inversor

crisi

divisió

cooperació

Spanish

coalición

promesa

ley

reforma

gobierno

elección

inversor

crisis

división

cooperación

 

⚙️ GRAMMAR FOCUS: Modal Verbs (from the article)

Examples from the blog:

  • “Spain’s government may be facing one of its most difficult moments.”

  • “This break could be a big problem.”

  • “The government should try a different policy.”

  • “There will be a risk of more division.”

  • “Maybe this crisis will be an opportunity.”

  • This may cause the public to call for snap elections

Explanation:
Modal verbs express possibility, probability, advice, or certainty.

  • Will + verb to be → future certainty.

  • Should  +verb to be → advice or expectation.

  • Could + verb to be → possibility.

  • May + verb to be → possibility (slightly more formal).

  • Maybe → adverb meaning perhaps.Not a modal verb

  • May, could, should, would + verb- as above

✍️ Practice Exercises

Complete the sentences with the correct modal verb.

  1. The next election _________ in 2026.

  2. Sánchez _________ try to rebuild the coalition.

  3. This situation _________ lead to more independence debates.

  4. Investors _________ worried about political instability.

  5. _________ this crisis help create new dialogue?

 

 

✏️ SPELLING – Jumbled Words

Unscramble the words from the text:

  1. iotailocon → _________

  2. ersmop → _________

  3. ngmveronet → _________

  4. soiris → _________

  5. enloctei → _________

✅ TRUE OR FALSE

  1. Junts decided to leave the Socialist-led government.

  2. The amnesty law was completed successfully.

  3. Junts blocked more than 50 new laws.

  4. Political experts say this crisis shows Spain’s unity.

  5. A new election could be a possible result.

 

 

💬 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - try to answer from 3 perspectives. Junts, PSOE and yours or public point of view...

 

  1. Do you think the government should call early elections?

  2. Should the amnesty law be a priority?

  3. Could this crisis improve Spain’s democracy?

Answer Key

 

Comprehension and Discussion. Check against your answers

  1. Do you think the government should call early elections?

    • PSOE: No, stability should be maintained; early elections could be dangerous.

    • Junts: Yes, it could be a chance to show that Catalonia’s voice matters.

    • Public: Maybe—people want stability, but they also want honesty and results.

  2. Should the amnesty law be a priority?

    • PSOE: Yes, it helps bring reconciliation and peace.

    • Junts: It’s essential; without it, there can be no trust.

    • Public: It could be important, but jobs and economy should be priorities too.

  3. Could this crisis improve Spain’s democracy?

    • PSOE: Maybe—it will be if we find dialogue and cooperation.

    • Junts: It should be if Spain listens to Catalonia’s democratic demands.

    • Public: It could be, but people are tired of endless political fighting.

Spelling

  1. litiocaon→ coalition

  2. ersmopi→ promise

  3. vogreenmt → government

  4. cirisr → crises

  5. iolecetn→ election

Modal Verbs

  1. The next election _________ in 2026.

  2. Sánchez _________ try to rebuild the coalition.

  3. This situation _________ lead to more independence debates.

  4. Investors _________ worried about political instability.

  5. _________ this crisis could help create new dialogue?

Suggested Answers:

  1. will be

  2. should /could

  3. could

  4. will be

  5. Maybe

 

True or False

  1. Junts decided to leave the Socialist-led government.

  2. The amnesty law was completed successfully.

  3. Junts blocked more than 50 new laws.

  4. Political experts say this crisis shows Spain’s unity.

  5. A new election could be a possible result.

Answers:

  1. True - The PSOE has not delivered what it promised

  2. False - The amnesty law has not been fully inplemented. Puidgdemont is still in exile and will be arrested if he returns to Spain

  3. True 

  4. False - There is deeper division now than before the coalition

  5. True - Some parties are calling for early elections claiming the PSOE is not fit to lead the country

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