The loss of support in the Congress of Deputies has forced the government to recalculate the route to avoid giving the image of a blockade. This Thursday, a day after confirming that the implementation of the law on sustainable mobility was going to be difficult, Pedro Sanchez announced that it would invest 40 million euros to promote the use of electric bicycles.
The difference is substantial. To approve the law, Sánchez needs the votes of Congress, which he currently does not have. However, the promotion of cycling will be allowed by a ministerial decree, The Executive does not need to go through the Lower House.
Last Saturday, Sánchez already expressed his willingness to “govern without the help of the legislative power” and from Moncloa they insist on their intention to exhaust the legislative power. Thus, the only possibility is to govern on the basis of decrees, ministerial orders and similar formulas that are in the hands of the government and that save it from defeats in Congress.
In December 2022, the Council of Ministers approved its first draft law on sustainable mobility, but this was rejected in 2023 when the general elections were called and the Cortes were dissolved. In February of this year, the Executive presented the same text again, ensuring that there was consensus and with the intention of moving forward.
The Executive promised Brussels that the standard would be approved before 2025, and the receipt of part of the European funds depends on it. Its approval is therefore one of Sánchez’s priorities upon returning from this course.
But now the president can no longer count on Congress one hundred percent. This Wednesday, at the bell, the PP has submitted an amendment to the entire law on sustainable mobility. This implies that Alberto Nuñez Feijoo He doesn’t accept it, so Sánchez can’t count on him, and this also delays the treatment in time.
Nor does it appear that the investiture partners can serve as a viable alternative to Sánchez. MRC made a series of financial demands that the PSOE prefers to include in the 2025 budgets or in a hypothetical singular financing reform. Therefore, there could be no agreement.
It is in this context that the Government is announcing the investment of 40 million to promote the use of bicycles in cities. The promotion of this type of transport is included in the law on sustainable mobility, which it does not approve.
Other similar measures
With the promotion of cycling by ministerial decree, Moncloa has begun its strategy of legislating without going through Congress. This same Thursday, the Ministry of the Interior announced its intention to lower the alcohol limit for driving, from 0.5 to 0.2.
As Interior sources explain to this newspaper, the reduction of the rate will be done by a royal decree that will be sent to the Council of Ministers for approval. This It does not have the status of a law, but rather of a regulation.and the Executive can move them forward.
Sources specify that the issue will also be debated in the Congress of Deputies, although the format has not been decided. It could be, for example, that of a motion. However, despite the debate, its entry into force will not depend on the Lower House.
There are other examples. The government also wants to reform the Immigration Law and it lacks support because it cannot count, once again, on partners or on the PP. However, it will soon implement the new regulation on the standard, which will not require going through Congress either. However, this will not help to improve the situation of minors in the Canary Islands.
The government’s lack of capacity in Congress is also evident in the Sumar’s proposal to impose VAT on private education and healthcareThis is a measure that could be aligned with the new taxes on “the rich” that Pedro Sánchez intends to implement.
However, the government acknowledges that there is no consensus to specify this initiative in a law. There is also no progress on an alternative to the land law, which Moncloa withdrew before the summer to avoid its decline.
