The Nature of the Hatred Towards Pedro Sánchez and Vicarious Revenge

• The intense hostility toward Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez transcends typical political disagreement or criticism of policy failure, manifesting instead as a deep-seated "hatred."
• This sentiment is identified as a form of "vicarious hatred" stemming from the failure to punish the Catalan independence movement (the procés), further exacerbated by a judiciary that views legislative actions as a challenge to its authority.

The Roots of Hatred

• Anti-Sánchez sentiment is disconnected from economic reality or administrative performance, as economic indicators remain strong and his approval ratings are relatively stable compared to previous leaders.
• The core grievance is Sánchez’s decision to grant amnesty to those involved in the procés, treating them as legitimate political interlocutors rather than subjects for punishment.
• For many, this amnesty represents a betrayal of a specific national identity; the independence movement was meant to be disciplined to serve as a deterrent, but the amnesty disrupted this script.
• Hatred of Sánchez functions as a cover, allowing individuals to express animosity toward Catalonia while masking it as constitutional patriotism.

The Judicial Role and Vicarious Revenge

• The judiciary perceives the amnesty as a direct insult to its professional role and authority, viewing the parliamentary decision to deactivate their legal efforts as a humiliating defeat.
• The legal proceedings against individuals close to Sánchez, such as his brother or his wife, Begoña Gómez, are interpreted as acts of vicarious revenge for the perceived thwarting of judicial retribution.
• The author suggests that these legal campaigns are a form of punishment by proxy, targeting the Prime Minister's inner circle in response to the political defeat the judiciary suffered regarding the procés.
• The piece concludes that even when Sánchez eventually leaves office, this underlying resentment regarding Catalonia will likely remain, once again revealing its true face.