In Spain, the spotlight is increasingly focusing on Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Popular Party (PP), amid rising political tensions.

This development follows the government's decision to dismiss a vote of confidence demanded by Junts per Catalunya to continue backing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Congress.

The emerging alternative is a motion of no confidence spearheaded by the PP, with potential support from Vox and the party of former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, aimed at triggering new elections.

For the motion to succeed, it requires the endorsement of an absolute majority in Congress, translating to 176 votes.

On Monday, Feijóo expressed his openness to "converse" with the Catalan separatist faction regarding their possible backing.

Notably, the conversation has so far remained stagnant, with no significant developments occurring either publicly or privately.

Vox, an essential component of any potential coalition, clarified their stance over the weekend, affirming their willingness to support the motion against Prime Minister Sánchez, whose administration faces corruption allegations.

This positions Vox alongside the PP, cumulatively accounting for approximately 170 votes.

The addition of seven votes from Puigdemont's Junts is crucial for the motion to pass.

An alternative strategy involving negotiations with the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and Coalición Canaria (CC) is also conceivable, although the PNV has, so far, shown no intention to side with the motion.

Publicly, Junts has remained critical of the prospect, largely because Santiago Abascal of Vox would be a key player in the process.

"Collaborating with Vox is a dark joke," stated Jordi Turull, Junts' General Secretary.

Privately, however, Junts suggests that negotiation is possible on other matters with the PP, and emphasizes that Feijóo has not yet initiated any discussions.

Feijóo has recently reignited talks of a no-confidence motion, even encouraging Puigdemont to lend his support during a Monday interview on "Más de Uno" with Onda Cero.

He shared his belief in being a more trustworthy candidate than Sánchez, expressing his readiness to proceed with the motion if Junts agrees to seek new elections.

In the Nueva Economía Forum, Feijóo further urged both PNV and Junts to demonstrate "coherence" by backing the motion, citing the PSOE's contentious legislation that limits popular prosecution as a pressing issue.

"There are more severe circumstances now than in 2018," he noted, referencing the no-confidence motion that ousted Mariano Rajoy amid the Gürtel scandal.

"The reasons are ample, but votes are lacking," Feijóo pointedly remarked, aiming questions towards Puigdemont’s party.

Despite these overtures, PP’s headquarters in Genoa are not currently pursuing dialogue with Puigdemont's party or the PNV to explore the no-confidence proposition.

Party representatives have made it clear that they await such inquiries rather than taking the initiative.

Meanwhile, external voices such as Esperanza Aguirre, former President of the Community of Madrid, have advocated for a coalition with Vox and Junts.

Additionally, José Manuel García Margallo, a former foreign minister, echoed a similar sentiment recently.

Although the current Community of Madrid President, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has not formally declared her stance, indications suggest a lack of enthusiasm, contrasting with the Catalan PP’s recent openness to a PP-Junts alignment.

In a separate development, Feijóo announced his party's intention to support the ratification of the pension reform decree next week in Congress.

This reform enhances the compatibility between retirement pensions and employment, a move orchestrated by the government in collaboration with business entities.

The PP's forthcoming endorsement underscores the coalition government's legislative fragility, as evidenced by Bildu and Podemos distancing themselves from the decree following the PP's declared support.

"Though we disagree with the procedural aspects, we align with the content," stated a PP source, citing the agreement between employers and trade unions as a sufficient validation for their position.