Sánchez warns of the rise of "anti-European forces" and calls for more taxes for companies in the 27

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has warned this Thursday of the rise of “anti-European forces”, and has called on the 27 to be “much more united”, in the face of threats such as the Russian invasion in Ukraine or the climate emergency. The head of the Executive has appeared in the Moncloa to explain his central axes of action during the Spanish Presidency of the EU, which begins on July 1, avoiding the issues of “domestic politics” so as not to expose himself to a reproach from the Central Electoral Board , which has already warned the ministers Félix Bolaños and Isabel Rodríguez for their demonstrations in public institutions after the opening of the electoral period.

Sánchez has avoided assessing the pact reached by PP and Vox in the Generalitat Valenciana, but he did want to reassure about the effects that a hypothetical change of government will have on the rotating EU Presidency. “Democracy has never been a problem”, he assured, recalling that the rotating presidency has already coincided with electoral processes in other countries before, and that “all operators”, in reference to political parties, autonomous communities, unions and civil society , “have participated” and know the “objectives and priorities” at this stage. The Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, already advanced on Tuesday, in the press conference after the Council of Ministers, that a future change of Government after the general elections of 23-J will not be able to modify the course of the reforms already committed to Brussels, since it could stop further disbursements of Next Generation funds and even lead to the imposition of sanctions.

Sánchez did not want to go that far, and has limited himself to presenting the axes on which he wants the Spanish presidency to pivot, beyond other specific plans such as promoting the migration pact, maintaining support for Ukraine —”Today more than never”— or the commitment to the reform of the electricity market to accelerate the deployment of renewable energies and reduce the “volatility” of the system. The specific priorities go through, first of all, “reindustrialising Europe”, guaranteeing its “strategic autonomy”, and facing the “vulnerabilities accumulated by de-industrialisation”, with the specific example of the “shortage of masks” during the pandemic..

On the other hand, the chief executive advances that they will promote “minimum business tax standards” for the 27, that is, a common corporate tax, “particularly in the digital field”, in addition to trying to complete the banking union. The fight against tax evasion, avoidance and fraud is also on his list, as is action against shell companies.

The ecological transition, which would make it possible to create “up to a million jobs” in this decade is another of the priorities, which would also help to “reduce dependence” on the EU in terms of energy and raw materials. The consolidation of the social pillar, in terms of the fight against inequality and the strengthening of the welfare state, is another of the legs of the project of the current Executive.

And, ultimately, there is an axis reserved for “strengthening the unity of the EU”. “No more binary reflections on the power of China and the US. Europe can, and must, become the architect of the new world order,” said Sánchez. In the audience, in the front row, the second vice president, Yolanda Díaz, listened to him; the third vice president, Teresa Ribera; the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños; the head of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, as well as the Minister of Territorial Policy and spokesperson, Isabel Rodríguez, as well as various ambassadors.

Sánchez has alluded to the need to increase corporate tax one day after Díaz sold the same recipe and a permanent tax on large fortunes. He has done it in the presence of the vice president, and at the gates of an election in which the PSOE claims to be the true useful vote for left-wing voters. He could not enter into “domestic affairs”, but he did not miss the opportunity to dispute this flag with the leader of Sumar. Until a few weeks ago, before 28-M and the advance of the general elections, they were presented as electoral tickets.