Appearance before the media by the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, on his arrival at the European Council meeting

SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SPAIN, PEDRO SÁNCHEZ

First of all, I'd like to express my solidarity with you all for everything you're going through. Well, you know this is an important Council meeting. And I would like to convey to the Spanish public that they should keep an eye on the outcome of these debates and this Council meeting.

A few points to consider:

First of all, we will once again be discussing the situation in Ukraine and support for Ukraine. You are aware that, over the last few hours, it has also emerged that the EU institutions are willing to try to open a channel of dialogue with the Russian authorities in order to initiate diplomatic negotiations aimed at resolving, on behalf of Europe and, naturally, Ukraine, this war which has been going on for more than four years.

On this matter, I would like to say that, apart from the fact that we naturally support Ukraine as one of the main providers of public funds for military aid to Ukraine, but also in terms of humanitarian aid and support for the Ukrainian state, that we are, of course, willing and open to supporting any efforts that may be made to achieve peace and bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

Secondly, we are also going to discuss the situation in the Middle East. As you know, we have just learnt of the peace agreement that the US President is due to sign tomorrow with the Iranian regime as well. We, the Government of Spain, welcome this peace agreement.

Firstly, because it proves us right in the sense that we clearly must put an end to these hostilities, which have caused immense suffering for thousands of people who have lost their lives, for millions of people who have been displaced as a result of the war, and have also had an impact in terms of inflation, rising energy prices, a loss of economic growth and job creation, and the deterioration in living standards suffered by so many citizens across Europe and in Spain.

And, in that regard, I would like - as I announced yesterday in Parliament - to remind you that the Royal Decree-law which we supported and approved, both within the Government and in Parliament, last March - to create that social safety net and protect households and businesses from the economic effects of this war - is to be extended through a new draft Royal Decree-law which we are expected to approve on 29 June at the Council of Ministers meeting to be held on Monday - rather than Tuesday - as the Royal Decree-law expires on the 30th, and we are already in discussions with the relevant sectors.

We are already in talks with the parliamentary groups with a view to extending some of these measures for a further three months and, therefore, waiting to see whether this peace takes hold and whether energy prices - and oil prices in particular - stabilise; whilst it is true that we are seeing a fall in these prices, but which remain volatile; consequently, there is a risk and a vulnerability that certain sectors of our economy are, understandably, suffering from.

In any case, we welcome that peace agreement and support it. As you know, yesterday the Government of Spain joined 16 other European countries precisely so that we could commit ourselves to stabilising and consolidating this peace, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.

Anyway, let's hope this happens. And here in Spain, we are going to do everything in our power to help it take root. I believe that the summit to be held this October-November - undoubtedly in autumn - between the European Union and the Gulf states will also be very important, because I believe we need to strengthen that cooperation, that collaboration in a truly difficult and complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, where crises overlap and which, naturally, cause much greater suffering in a region that is already suffering greatly.

And I must not fail to mention the plight of the Palestinians, both in Gaza and the West Bank, and, of course, the Lebanese as well, given that Netanyahu's government is failing to respect the peace agreements or, naturally, the United Nations Security Council resolutions either.

The third element we are going to bring into the debate is, in fact, that of the EU budget. I would like to state that, from Spain's point of view, we are a long way from reaching an agreement. Firstly, because of a lack of ambition in terms of the size of the budget. The proposal that has been put on the table is even more inadequate than the one initially put forward by the European Commission; consequently, we certainly do not agree with it at all.

Secondly, we would like to state that we are reasonably satisfied with regard to cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy, but, in any case, we believe that this contribution - this proposal - for the Common Agricultural Policy and also for cohesion policy must not only be maintained in nominal terms, but also in real terms.

Nor is there an ambitious proposal on anything to do with competitiveness policy, as understood by a progressive Government - such as the one I am honoured to lead - in terms of what competitiveness actually means. We're talking about education and training. We're talking about the digital push. We are talking about industry. We're talking about science; we're talking about the green transition. In short, we are talking about policies where, in the proposal that has been put forward for debate, the budgets are clearly far from sufficient.

And one final aspect of these EU budgets is the role that Europe should play in the world. What we can see is that there is a clear commitment to defence and security policies. We have no objections to this, but we do feel that it is being done at the expense of other policies where Europe can make a difference. And I am referring, for example, to how to respond to humanitarian crises, to how to respond to those global challenges where the Global South is expecting a different response from Europe to that provided by the superpowers - in this case, the United States.

What I mean by this, therefore, is that there are many aspects to it, many differences. We are a long way from reaching an agreement on the proposed EU budget, and so today we are launching the debate on it, focusing on the figures, and we hope that we can reach an agreement, as the President of the Council, Antonio Costa, has set out, before the end of the year. However, in any case, the Government of Spain wishes to express our scepticism because, in fact, the differences are still substantial and, therefore, we believe there is a great deal of work to be done.

And finally, I would like to mention that there are a number of other issues being discussed in the Council which are also important for Spain - relating to global health and the Ebola crisis in Africa - and which will, of course, also have our country's support.

One issue is that of migration policy, where we have no objections to the substance of the Council's conclusions, but you will have noted that Spain has, of course, expressed its opposition to the return policy that has been proposed and approved by the European Parliament, with the People's Party aligning with the far right.

We believe there are two negative aspects that justify our rejection. Firstly, because it is a waste of financial resources. The policy of outsourcing migration policy to third countries is completely ineffective, and I believe we now have sufficient comparative experience - for example, in other African countries and in Western countries - to show that it has not worked.

And, secondly, I do believe it is important to point out that there is an additional problem relating to reputation and values, where the message being conveyed to Europe is not exactly the right one; it is not one of sharing the challenge of migration jointly with source and transit countries, but rather of conveying the message that this is a problem for third countries and that Europe is simply going to turn a blind eye. I believe that, from an economic and political perspective, and in terms of the values that Europe should uphold and promote, this is entirely negative.

Well, these are the topics we're going to cover. I also realise that you are going to ask me questions on these matters, but I am prepared to answer these and any other questions you may have.

Q.- [Almudena Guerrero, TVE] [Inaudible]

President.- I have nothing further to add regarding the second point. We are waiting.

And, on the first point, I think it is important to say and remember the following: yesterday, after appearing before the National Court, President Zapatero issued a statement in which he made some interesting and important remarks. The first is that he proclaimed his innocence. The second is that he asked for trust. And the third is that he expressed respect for the course of justice.

And I would like to tell you, naturally, as President of the Government of Spain, but also as Secretary-General of the PSOE, that this innocence, this trust and this respect for the justice system, of course, have the backing, empathy and support of the organisation I lead, which is the PSOE.

As for the charges against his daughters, I would simply like to express my deepest sympathy and solidarity to them and to the family of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. And let us hope that, indeed, everything can be clarified and that, in fact, his innocence - which is what he maintains - can be established.

Q.- [José Miguel Blanco, EFE] [Inaudible]

President.- Well, first of all, I think it is also important to note what has happened today in Parliament, because two Royal Decree-Laws of great importance to the Spanish people have been passed. One of these is instalment payments: these are the historical instalment payments made to the regional authorities. More than 180 billion euros, specifically to fund welfare policies - the welfare state policies that fall within the remit of the autonomous communities.

Tax measures for major cultural events, too. We have also sent a Treaty of Friendship between the Government of Spain and the Government of France, or between Spain and France, to the Upper House. A treaty of friendship.

I find it absolutely regrettable that the People's Party and VOX - but particularly the People's Party, which prides itself on being a party of the Spanish State - should vote against a Treaty of Friendship with our neighbouring country, France. But, anyway, this is the kind of destructive opposition we often encounter when we talk about the decline in the quality of public debate. This, too, serves to undermine public debate: failing to defend Spain's interests. And defending Spain's interests means having a Treaty of Friendship such as the one which, fortunately, I hope we will be able to push through Parliament in the coming weeks, with the support of other parliamentary groups and forces.

So, what I'm trying to say is that, however much people talk about these issues - whether there will be a motion of no confidence, whether there should be a snap election, and so on - life goes on. The Government is taking action. We are pushing bills through. Today is a good example. So far this year, we have had twelve legislative decisions that have already been approved by the General Courts. Last year, around this time, there were eleven.

We are more than 60 days into this parliamentary term and, so, well, it is one thing what the press says, with its own views, and quite another what public opinion thinks, which can see that, in fact, the policies this Government is implementing are being endorsed by Parliament. They are enabling us to drive economic growth, create jobs, have 22.5 million national insurance contributors, and continue to reduce inequality in our country.

We're going to present the budgets, and I can assure you that we'll work our fingers to the bone to get them through. The Government will fulfil its responsibilities, just as we do with all the bills currently going through Parliament.

And I would, of course, appeal to the sense of responsibility of all parliamentary groups, because, ultimately, these budgets will be consistent with what we have been doing for the past eight years: a commitment to social progress, continuing with the economic reforms that are enabling us to grow and create jobs, and reducing inequality; and, finally, fiscal discipline.

We are going to end this parliamentary term with public debt below 100% of GDP and with a public deficit closer to 2% than to 2.5%. I therefore believe that the macroeconomic figures are very strong and very solid. And what we need to do with these budgets is ensure that these macroeconomic figures, which reflect the Spanish economy's good health, are translated into policies that redistribute wealth to those who really need it - to the working middle class - through these policies.

I therefore call on the parliamentary groups to act responsibly, and I would also like to thank parties such as the Basque Nationalist Party for their constructive approach; yesterday, they, along with other parliamentary groups, showed a genuine willingness to negotiate these budgets.

And from there, well, we'll deal with it as it comes, and if decisions need to be made, then we'll make them, of course, when these scenarios arise.

But I do not wish to comment on speculation, as we are currently in the process of drawing up the budgets, presenting them, defending them and negotiating them with a view to reaching a potential agreement.

Q. - [Daniel Basteiro, Bloomberg] President, what will your position be in the debate on China? How close is it to Germany's position? Are you concerned about a trade war between the EU and China?

President.- I believe that what Europe needs are friends. There is quite a lot of fragmentation. There is a great deal of conflict in global politics. We need friends; we need healthy relationships. We need to be pragmatic and we need to build bridges both with major economies and potential allies, such as China, and with traditional allies, such as the United States.

Q. - [Guillermo Pascual, Antena 3] [Inaudible]

President.- I am not aware of the minister's statements. I'm sorry, I can't comment on them. What I'm saying is this. In his statement yesterday, President Zapatero said two or three things with which I completely agree.

The first one proclaims her innocence. The second is respect for justice. And thirdly, confidence in his innocence.

And, of course, he has the confidence of the Social Democratic family. We are confident of his innocence. Of course, we respect the work of the judiciary and, naturally, we empathise with the situation his family is currently facing following the charges brought against his daughters.

There is one important point I would also like to mention, and that is that when we talk about respecting the rule of law, this, too, is a matter of respecting the rule of law.

The rule of law means respecting the course of justice, but also respecting the principle of innocence - the right to the presumption of innocence - in this case, in this case, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, his family and certain female party workers who belong to the PSOE and who, unfortunately, are also embroiled in this legal case.

Q.- [Almudena Guerrero, TVE] [Inaudible]

President.- We, well, in the end, look, I think we're simply defending what are, in my view, common-sense decisions.

The thing is, they are not even ideological; we are talking about upholding international law, respecting human rights, and building a world where we rearm ourselves morally rather than militarily.

But what is all this about us already forgetting today that there is no empathy for those who have died in this war in Iran, for the millions of displaced people we are seeing in Lebanon, and for the hundreds of thousands of people suffering as a result of the conflicts in the Middle East?

I believe that what the Government of Spain is advocating is a position that transcends ideological boundaries or the debate between parties, and one that, I believe, challenges us as a society: what sort of world do we want? Where are we heading, and what are the principles and policies we are upholding as a country and as a society?

In that regard, I don't know whether there will be other countries that feel negatively affected by what we are advocating, but I believe there are many Spaniards - whether or not they vote for the PSOE - who feel fully represented by the political positions we are upholding against all odds, as a minority in the face of certain major powers. Yes, but I honestly believe that we are in the right, that we are on the right side of history, and that, moreover, time is proving us right.

When we said that this war in Iran was a huge mistake, I think that, in light of what has happened, and given the outcome of the negotiations and the situation we now find ourselves in after these months of war, I believe that all of us who spoke out against it were, in fact, somewhat right.

Q. [Raúl Piña, El Mundo] Mr President, have you spoken to Mr Zapatero?

President.- I have been in contact with President Zapatero throughout this period. I have conveyed my personal support and, of course, my belief in his innocence.

Q. - [Carlos E. Cue, El País] Apart from the statement, has he asked you to provide a public explanation?

President.- No, well, I understand, Carlos, that you are clearly currently involved in legal proceedings in which you do indeed have to show respect - in this case, towards the judge - and so I understand that you will provide explanations in due course, particularly bearing in mind, of course, how these proceedings unfold.

But in any case, I have spoken to him; he is calm and certainly has the full support and backing of the PSOE.

We have a press conference tomorrow.

Q. - [Lluís Tovar, Telecinco] Mr President, why should the public trust this time that the budget will be tabled and approved, given that the budgets for 2024, 2025 and 2026 were withdrawn? How is he going to win over Junts and the PNV this time?

President.- Well, that's the art of politics. And of course, we will be involved in the agreement and the negotiations. You see, I'd been thinking about it just now. It may seem like a truism these days, something that goes without saying. In hindsight, it may seem straightforward, but this is one of the governments - the Government of Spain, which I have had the honour of leading for the past eight years - that has implemented the most reforms, or one of those that has carried out the most structural reforms in the whole of Europe.

And that, too, is the driving force behind the economic success, job creation and reduction in inequality that we are achieving thanks to all that reformist momentum, to that transformation.

Well, we were and still are a coalition government with a parliamentary minority; it is true that, as the elections draw nearer, the parliamentary groups naturally and legitimately seek to distance themselves from the other parties in order to gain autonomy and raise their own profile. That's all part of the democratic process.

But even so, I believe there are many reasons to support a budget that can ensure a path towards social progress, fiscal discipline and transformation - which is what we want.

We will do this with all due humility; we will put it forward; we will not shirk our duty; and I hope that we will also receive a response that is equal to the challenge facing Spain at this time, in the form of an affirmative vote from a parliamentary majority. I would emphasise that today, I believe, we have also seen proof that the parliamentary majority can rally round policies that benefit the people.

Well, that's what we've been doing all these years - just as, incidentally, every government in Europe has been doing. Most governments in Europe are minority governments; most governments are coalition governments.

What is not so common - and is particularly unusual in the case of Spain, which is also why the right and the far right are attacking us more fiercely - is that this is one of the few progressive coalition governments in existence, but I believe our track record is, quite frankly, outstanding. And that's something people recognise about you both in Spain and abroad.

I was listening to Mr Feijóo today saying that, well, Spain's image is-I don't know what, I don't know how many. Well, in my view, if you're going to act like Torquemada, you've got to be prepared to do so for better or for worse. And I understand that the same high standards he holds us all to will also apply to him personally, given the news we've just heard - for example, about Mrs Ayuso's partner. Or am I wrong?

And, secondly, if we look at Spain's image, I'd like to point out that the Elcano Institute produces the best annual survey in the whole of Europe on the image that citizens of other countries have of a particular country, in this case Spain. And since we have been in power for the past few years, in 2025, Spain is the country with the best image in the eyes of all European citizens. We've gone up four points. The first country.

I therefore believe that one's own jokes are one thing, and the facts and figures are quite another; indeed, what they confirm is that Spain is currently experiencing one of the finest periods in its history.

And yes, there will be issues we will have to address, problems of all kinds that we will have to resolve - from a political perspective, from a social perspective, such as housing. But I sincerely believe that none of this calls into question the actions of a government that is effectively leading Spain to levels of well-being and progress which, when compared with other parts of Europe, are clearly very positive.

Q. - [Almudena Guerrero, TVE] Has Zapatero given you any explanation about the jewellery?

President.- Well, what has been reported on this matter is what is known to have been testified before the National High Court, and I have nothing further to add on the subject.

With all due respect, and I must stress that I truly believe the statement set out what we, as an organisation and as the PSOE, stand for: innocence, respect for the work of the judiciary, and confidence in that innocence.

Q. - [Guillermo Pascual, Antena 3] [Inaudible]

President.- No, look, I mean, let's see. I don't know what sort of conversations you have; I mean, I'm not a prosecutor, I'm not a judge. I naturally asked about it; I spoke to President Zapatero and he assured me of his complete trust and his innocence.

And I obviously trust in that innocence and stand by José Luis; and, of course, I empathise with the difficult situation his family is going through, which naturally requires support - in this case, from the Socialist Party.

Q. - [Daniel Blanco] [Inaudible]

President.- Well , I think President Zapatero will clarify all that. He has also asked for time to clarify this matter. I would emphasise that, very often, when we talk about respect for the rule of law, we also have to talk about this.

We need to talk, firstly, about respect for the justice system and, secondly, about respect for the presumption of innocence - a right to which every citizen is entitled.

Q.- [Raúl Piña, El Mundo] [Inaudible]

President.- Let's see, of course, all heads of government have received gifts; some of them, believe me, Raúl, I don't even know what they are because, obviously, these are things that aren't given when you're meeting bilaterally with the leader of that country.

These are gifts that are clearly given in recognition of that institutional representation and as a token of the friendship that, in this case, that country shares with Spain.

But anyway, they're gifts, after all. Well, I think we also need to be aware that the Spain of 2007 is not the Spain of 2026, nor is today's legislation the same as that of 2007.

I therefore believe that, fortunately, legislation and regulations have also been put in place in this area; well, let's wait and see what clarifications the president provides on the matter.

Well, I think I've said quite a lot already, haven't I? Tomorrow, or if not, if you like, we'll have another quick session tomorrow and skip the press conference.

Right then, ciao.

(Transcript edited by the State Secretariat for Communication)

Original speech in Spanish and English

Non official translation