Catalan support for Spanish government is under threat

Significance

The outcome of the vote on the budget -- expected to take place in October -- will determine the stability of the government. The pro-independence Together for Catalonia (JxCat), whose seven MPs support the government, is threatening to withdraw this support for a variety of reasons.

Impacts

• Following a substantial surge in asylum seekers, immigration will increasingly be a top concern for Spanish voters.
• Anti-tourism protests could dent tourist arrivals, which would be a blow to one of Spain’s most economically important industries.
• Sanchez’s failure to persuade regions to accept migrants may see Unidas Podemos and Coalicion Canaria abandon support for the government.