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Bloomberg
The Catalan crisis is proving to be a millstone around the neck of the Spanish prime minister. Mariano Rajoy saw his People’s Party routed in elections in the rebel region last month and it has plumbed historic lows in opinion polls as the premier’s hesitant efforts to keep the push for independence in check disappoint voters across the rest of Spain.
With the separatists due to retain control of the new Catalan parliament, people close to the PP leadership have started discussing whether the prime minister’s time in office may be drawing to a close.
One person said Rajoy himself may consider stepping aside if he sees little chance of reelection, asking not to be named because the issue is sensitive. Another said the party would need an alternative candidate at least a year before the election to build up their profile. That means the 62-year-old prime minister may have another 12 months to turn things around with no general election due until June 2020. The municipal, regional and European elections all due next year could become a critical test.
“Rajoy is very likely aware of the push for renewal everywhere,†said Narciso Michavila, chairman of pollster GAD3, which has done external advisory work for the PP. “He’s probably open to the idea that he won’t be the candidate at the next election.â€
A PP press officer said she could neither confirm nor deny that some officials are questioning Rajoy’s position. A press officer at the prime minister’s office said Rajoy is focused on seeing out his term and creating jobs while polls offer only a snapshot of the situation.