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El pacto, el cual esperamos que ratifiquen hoy, es nuevo.

El pacto, el cual esperamos que ratifiquen hoy, es nuevo.
The pact, which we hope they ratify today, is new.
From Lesson 267:Formal relative pronouns (el cual)·Spanish (Latin America)

Questions & Answers about El pacto, el cual esperamos que ratifiquen hoy, es nuevo.

Why use el cual here instead of just que?
You can actually use que here! However, el cual is often used in written or formal Spanish, especially in clauses surrounded by commas that add extra, non-essential information to the sentence. It means the same thing but gives the sentence a slightly more elevated or formal tone than que.
Why is it el cual and not lo cual?
Formal relative pronouns must match the gender and number of the noun they refer back to. Since it refers to el pacto (a masculine singular noun), we use el cual. You would only use lo cual when referring back to a whole situation, action, or abstract idea, rather than a specific noun.
Why is the verb ratifiquen in the subjunctive mood?
It is triggered by esperamos que (we hope that). Verbs expressing hope, desire, or emotion require the subjunctive in the following clause whenever there is a change in subject. Here, 'we' are hoping, but 'they' are the ones ratifying, so ratificar becomes the subjunctive ratifiquen.
In English, we say 'which we hope they ratify,' but the Spanish adds 'que'. Why?
In Spanish, when a verb like esperamos introduces another action, you must include que (that) before the second verb. You cannot drop it like we often drop 'that' in English. Literally, the Spanish structure translates to 'which we hope that they ratify'.

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