Hugs kisses… and sleepy faces. The meeting of the Executive of the PSOE hangover from the general elections has taken place in a very different environment from the one that many glimpsed a few weeks ago. Euphoria. Optimism. Requests for a turn to speak and intervention by Pedro Sánchez before his family behind closed doors. A message: the leader of the PSOE and still president of the Government believes his inauguration is possible and he is confident that there will be no blockade and, therefore, electoral repetition.

“This democracy will find the formula for governability”, has been the message that Sánchez has sent to his own during the meeting of the Executive, as recounted by socialist sources present at the same. “Eleven million people have voted advance.”

The block that has allowed Sánchez to govern in these last four years would reach, according to the count at the close of this edition, 172 deputies -PSOE (122), Sumar (31), ERC (7), Bildu (6), PNV (5) and BNG (1)-, for the 171 of a right-wing bloc that could make up the PP (136), Vox (33), UPN (1) and CC (1).

Junts, the formation of Carles Puigdemont, which won seven deputies, has said in this campaign that it would vote against any candidate. In the investiture debate, an absolute majority is needed in the first round (176 votes) and a simple majority in the second (more yeses than noes).. In other words, Sánchez's option is for Puigdemont's party to at least abstain. Now one of the phrases that Sánchez has repeated like a hammer during the last 15 days resonates: “I seek votes even under stones.”

If there are no more yeses than noes -Junts said yesterday that he will not vote in favor of Sánchez-, the blockade that the result reveals will be consummated and it would be necessary to go to new elections. But Sánchez and his team do not contemplate this option. They believe that there will be a government and that it will be theirs and not that of the PP, since they warn that Feijóo has guaranteed more nos than yeses in any vote.

The PSOE Secretary General began his speech by thanking his people and, as he did from an improvised stage on election night, emphasizing that in Spain the extreme right cannot reach the Government, as has happened in other European countries. “This country has said no to involution. The PSOE is today a reference in Europe and in the world. We have not reached 30% but 32% of the votes.”

In his speech, Sánchez also wanted to cool down the times. Remove the rush from the calendar. “That people enjoy the holidays”, has been the message that has been transferred to his family, implying that the movements or negotiations that are going to take place are not going to be immediate. They are not even contemplating in their team right now a short-term meeting with Alberto Núñez Feijóo, not even the holding of a Federal Committee, according to socialist sources.. “On August 17, the Cortes are constituted. Spain is a parliamentary democracy with its deadlines and procedures,” the socialist leader stated.

“Spain has stopped the extreme right”, proclaimed the third vice president, Teresa Ribera, upon her arrival. “He has gained the feeling of being able to continue winning rights, progress…. That's the basis we have to work on.”

The ministers have avoided talking about the fact that the possible investiture of Pedro Sánchez is in the hands of Junts, but the intention to seek to build a majority does emerge. “Spain spoke very clearly, Spain wants to continue advancing, consolidating what has been done this legislature”, stated the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños. “Spain has said no to the ultra coalition, it has stopped it dead.”

A message that Pilar Alegría, Minister of Education and spokesperson for the PSOE, repeated upon her arrival: “Spain spoke clearly and has said that it wants to continue looking ahead and advancing in rights.”