What has just happened with Gibraltar? The Prime Minister of Spain had threatened to “veto” Brexit but now says he has received assurances – suggesting that something happened this weekend. It did, but it was more about politics than substance.
Spain’s PM, Pedro Sanchez, leads a minority government facing important elections next month. His position is weaker than Theresa May’s and his confidence and supply relationships much more complex.
Sanchez’s government has been under pressure to call a General Election even since they took over around half a year ago. Which makes a political row over Spain’s national obsession – the status of Gibraltar – the perfect distraction.
Sanchez has issued hollow threats to “veto” Brexit, even though he has no power to follow up on them (although Michel Barnier would be reluctant to proceed with negotiations if Spain was really unhappy hence why Spain fell into line this weekend).
Spain had already secured a supposed veto over the future relationship and Gibraltar back in April 2017.
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