The PP ironizes about Sumar's rebellion over Almaraz: "They didn't leave over the sewers, they are going to break over a nuclear plant"

The Popular Party has discredited the open confrontation between PSOE and Sumar over the Government's decision to extend the operation of the Almaraz nuclear power plant until June 2030. The 'populares' believe that the criticisms of the minority partner will barely have consequences on the continuity of the coalition.

The PP spokesperson in Congress, Ester Muñoz, has resorted to irony to respond to the accusations made by Sumar against the socialists. "Sumar did not abandon the Government for prostituted women, nor for contract rigging, nor for the sewers, they are going to break for a nuclear power plant...", she wrote on her X account.

Muñoz has linked the energy dispute with the arguments that the PP maintains against the Executive for the judicial investigations related to the PSOE. Her message stems from a specific circumstance. Sumar has denounced the breach of the coalition agreement, although its leadership has not proposed abandoning the Government or withdrawing its five ministers.

The Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, accused the PSOE this Friday of giving in to the pressures of the "energy oligopoly" and considered that the decision slows down the transition towards renewables. The party maintains that the continuity of Almaraz breaks the nuclear calendar included in the pact signed by the Executive's partners in 2023.

The criticisms have extended to other sectors of the left. Podemos, Izquierda Unida, Alianza Verde and Compromís have rejected the extension of the useful life of the two reactors, while environmental organizations fear that Almaraz will end up serving as a precedent to prolong the operation of other power plants.

The PP celebrates the extension, but demands to go further

The PP's position on Almaraz was set from early Friday morning. The party has celebrated a decision on which, according to its calculations, depend the jobs and income of some 4,000 families in the Cáceres region, although it considers it a late and limited rectification.

Alberto Núñez Feijóo has also described the continuity of the plant as "great news for Extremadura and for all of Spain." The popular leader defends that nuclear energy is essential to guarantee the stability of the electrical system and has promised to maintain Almaraz beyond 2030 if he manages to reach La Moncloa.

The order published in the Official State Gazette extends the authorization of the two reactors until June 8, 2030. The first unit was scheduled to close in November 2027 and the second in October 2028. The Nuclear Safety Council issued a favorable report in July subject to compliance with several safety and radiological protection conditions.

The Government presents the measure as a "limited and circumscribed" extension given the volatility of international energy markets and maintains the complete closure of the nuclear park in 2035. The PP demands to cancel that calendar and also extend the activity of the other plants, a claim shared by several regional governments and municipalities with nuclear facilities.

The confrontation over Almaraz thus leaves the PSOE pressured from both sides. Sumar reproaches it for having broken its environmental commitments and the PP considers the granted extension insufficient. Despite the high tone of the statements, the ministers of the minority partner remain in their positions and their party has not announced measures that compromise the continuity of the Executive.