Overview

• Junts confirmed it will uphold its total veto, aligning with PP and Vox to reject the bill’s admission to debate in today’s plenary.
• Party spokesperson Míriam Nogueras argued the proposal hurts Catalan SMEs, calling it designed against Catalonia and warning it would burden small firms.
• The government refused to withdraw the vote to make parties state their stance publicly, as PSOE sources acknowledged the negotiation was led by Yolanda Díaz.
• After the expected defeat, the executive signals it will seek alternatives such as reintroducing the plan and tightening timekeeping rules, with unions staging rallies outside Congress.
• Separately, Congress approved an expansion of paid parental and care leave by royal decree with PP support and Vox abstention, adding three weeks retroactive to August 2024 and carrying an estimated €1.5bn upfront and €1bn annually.