Spain Assumes EU Presidency Amidst Anticipation of National Election

Spain takes the helm of the EU presidency amidst anticipation of a national election that could potentially upend the current left-wing government.

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, displaying an international presence, surprised both European partners and the public with a snap election announcement on May 29, following the left’s defeat in local and regional polls.

Photo Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

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As he embarks on the campaign trail leading up to the July 23rd vote, Sánchez tweeted his greetings to Europe and outlined his priorities for Spain’s tenure as the head of the 27-nation bloc.

While the presidency does not grant Spain greater influence than other member states, the six-month role offers an opportunity to address pressing challenges faced by the EU.

Despite concerns surrounding the upcoming election, experts argue that while ministers may be preoccupied with campaigning, the pro-European sentiment prevailing in Spain diminishes the risk of significant disruptions during the presidency.

Sebastien Maillard, the head of the Institut Jacques Delors, emphasized that Spain’s unwavering support for the EU makes a significant departure from the established course unlikely, even if distractions arise.

However, he did acknowledge that the election could impact the ability of Spanish ministers to dedicate sufficient time and energy to their European counterparts and reaching consensus on various issues.

Sánchez sought to reassure critics by highlighting France’s successful presidency concurrent with its presidential elections in April 2022.

Despite this, the looming election in Spain has raised concerns regarding the government’s stability.

Nonetheless, Sánchez remains confident that the goals set before the election will be accomplished during the presidency, asserting that cooperation with all institutional, social, and political actors has been instrumental in preparing for the EU presidency.

One of the key objectives outlined by Sánchez in mid-June is the completion of the EU’s migration policy reform by year-end, along with taking significant strides towards ratifying the EU’s trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc in Latin America.

Although Sánchez is a staunch advocate of the deal, it faces reservations in France, particularly related to environmental concerns.

As the opposition leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, criticized Sánchez’s claims about the EU presidency, asserting a lack of transparency, he compared his knowledge of the outgoing Swedish EU presidency favorably.

Despite such criticisms, the upcoming election is anticipated to have minimal impact on the EU presidency’s agenda, given the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in its preparation.