Appearance before the media of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, upon his arrival at the EU-Western Balkans Summit

Tivat (Montenegro)

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

Good morning. Well, please excuse the heat here…

Well, there are a few things I wanted to mention.

First, regarding the European Union-Western Balkans Summit, three points.

Firstly, I believe this demonstrates the appeal of an inclusive project like the European Union. We have more than seven countries, many of them in the Western Balkans, knocking on the door for membership in the European Union. And that demonstrates the robustness and also the vigour of a political project, that of the European Union, which, despite suffering the attacks it is experiencing from geopolitical forces such as Russia in Ukraine, remains an attractive project for many societies that are seeing that prosperity, and also the consolidation of democracy, as happened in Spain 40 years ago, is directly linked to their membership of the European Union.

Secondly, we must also recognise that these accession projects to the European Union, accompanied by the internal reforms that these Western Balkan countries must undertake, will contribute to greater stability and shared prosperity across the entire European continent.

We in Spain have always maintained that a complete European Union cannot exist without the Western Balkans. And we would also like to acknowledge the country of Montenegro, with its reformist drive, for all that it is doing precisely to be one of the first countries to join the European Union.

To give you an idea, the European Union has not undergone an enlargement process since 1973. I was one year old then. I believe that it is high time that we addressed this, not only as a technical matter covered by the Treaties, but also as a matter of political and geopolitical decision-making that is directly related to stability and shared prosperity in this complex region of the Western Balkans.

And finally, Spain brings to this enlargement debate some proposals that I believe could be positive..

First: if these countries are making progress in internal reforms in certain areas, why not gradually incorporate these countries, which are calling for accession to the European Union, into the European Council debates? Why not phase them in gradually, for example in access to the internal market?

Spain is therefore in favour of enlargement. The European Union is incomplete if we do not incorporate the Western Balkans, now that we are in the region. We acknowledge the effort and leadership that Montenegro is demonstrating in this accession process. And, meanwhile, we must gradually incorporate them into the European Union on those issues where there is already agreement between the European Commission and, in this case, the candidate countries.

One point before answering your questions on domestic policy: First of all, I would like to say that the information that has come to light over the last few days fills us, firstly, with disappointment, secondly, with concern and also with indignation.

And I want to tell the Spanish people that I feel the same way. And on this I want to be very clear: I have never known, nor have I ever been informed about, the activities of Ms. Leire Díez. And if this is the case, it is precisely because I would never have tolerated them.

That is why I want to be absolutely unequivocal in this case, so that the citizens have no doubt about it: this is a time for justice. Let justice take its course, as we have always said from the Government of Spain and also from the party I am honoured to lead, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party.

And, in fact, this is the case because we have acted decisively even when we have seen mere indications in other cases that we all have in mind.

What we will not allow, and I will not allow it from the perspective of the Government and also from the perspective of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, is for the corrupt practices of a few and the self-serving noise of many-of a cunning opposition that has nothing to offer the public but manoeuvres, noise and insidious attacks-to overshadow and undermine a political project that is bringing prosperity, economic growth, job creation, social progress, safeguarding rights and freedoms against the advance of the far right, and, of course, serving as an international benchmark in many areas that also affect the daily lives of our citizens.

Q.- [Almudena Guerrero, TVE] Mr. President, , you just said that you were never aware of it. However, the UCO identifies you as the "one" to whom Leire Díez refers in her conversations. Did you never give any orders to protect information about yourself or your associates?

President: Absolutely not. In fact, I believe we must respect, as I said before, the ruling of the judge of the Audiencia Nacional. I'm not going to offer any assessment, which in this case can be made by the UCO. I respect it. We must let the justice system do its work.

What I can guarantee is that I never endorsed, nor did I ever have any information about, nor was I ever aware of anything that I would never have tolerated. In fact, I have always been very clear on this. I do not do, nor have I ever done, what others did to me.

Because, indeed, there is information from many years ago showing that a so-called patriotic police force under a People's Party government-this one did-used the levers of the State to obstruct judicial actions and also the investigations of the State Security Forces and Corps.

Therefore, from that point of view, I want to be very clear, I want to be emphatic and forceful.

Q.- [Iñaki Aguado, Telecinco] President , do you still have confidence in Minister Marlaska and the Director General of the Guardia Civil, after they admitted that meetings did take place with Mercedes González and Leire Díez?

President: I believe that the Director General of the Guardia Civil gave explanations yesterday. And I want to tell you that the Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs itself have expressed confidence in the professionalism and honesty of the Director General of the Guardia Civil, Mercedes González.

Therefore, I can only support these statements and express my confidence in and support for the current Director General of the Guardia Civil, who, by the way, is doing a very positive job within this very important institution, while respecting, as it must be, the autonomy of the Guardia Civil.

Q.- [José Miguel Blanco, EFE] You commented that you were not aware of Leire Díez's activities, do you think that her name has been used?

And, on another note, are you concerned about some of the movements taking place, such as a platform of socialist activists at the extraordinary Congress, and whether this could be replicated in the Federal Committee in Madrid?

President. - Well, regarding the first point, I certainly believe that the Socialist Party was clear yesterday in its statement about how we characterise the use of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party in vain for purposes that have nothing to do with the noble objectives that the Socialist Party defends, promulgates and promotes wherever it governs, as is the case with the Government of Spain.

Therefore, as I said before, let's allow the justice system to do its work. And, in this sense, the Socialist Party always communicates through deeds, through actions, and decisions. The Socialist Party's legal teams are currently investigating and analysing all the documentation related to this case, which amounts to more than a terabyte of information. And when we have done so, with the rigour and thoroughness we have always strived for in these types of actions, you will be duly informed about the steps we will take.

But I think it's important to convey that we are currently working with the legal team to determine precisely what actions will be taken to defend the honour, of course, and the integrity of the Socialist Party.

This is a clean government. My party is a party of integrity. And, certainly, the corrupt practices of a few will not obscure or undermine the enormous work that this government and the Socialist Party are doing in every corner of our country.

And, on the question you raise. Look, the Socialist Party has now definitively implemented primary elections, both for choosing candidates for any institution. The Socialist Party, of course, also holds primaries for the Presidency of the Government of Spain, as well as for electing its general secretary at all levels. There is internal democracy, there is debate.

I find that healthy, and I can only welcome any kind of debate that contributes to improving and consolidating an option that I believe is demonstrating that, indeed, social democratic policies are doing the country a great deal of good in terms of, I insist, growth, job creation, the consolidation of rights and freedoms and international standing. And I think that's also very important to emphasise.

Q.- [Carlota Núñez, Cuatro] Mr. President, in the summary [inaudible] by the president of the Socialist Party, Narbona, that she was aware of some of the tasks that Leire was doing… [inaudible]

President: Well, I think the president was clear in her statement yesterday, as was the party. Reference is being made to a meeting that was already known, that was made public, even in this case by the Secretary of Organisation, Santón Cerdán. Therefore, there is nothing serious or wrong, and therefore, full support for the president of the Socialist Party.

Q.- [Iñaki Aguado, Telecinco] Mr President , this week you announced the processing of the General State Budget for 2027. In a way, shortening the next few months of the political calendar, because you mention presenting it to Parliament.

I wonder if, when the time comes, these public accounts don't pass, would that trigger an early election or would it still run its full term?

President: But we're already on the next stage. We haven't even presented the budget yet, and you're already asking me what will happen in the General Courts.

Firstly, there's a constitutional obligation that the Government of Spain will fulfil.

Secondly, we want new Budgets that are more social, that comply with the fiscal rigour that characterises this Government and that continue the economic and social transformation agenda that we have been implementing for eight years.

On this basis, I would also like to appeal to the responsibility of all the parliamentary partners who have contributed in one way or another to moving this legislature forward. We have passed more than 60 laws during this Legislature. And we are promoting numerous agreements.

At the same time, I also believe that one of the demands of all the territories and political groups is a new system of regional financing.

Therefore, these are two important reforms, two far-reaching political initiatives, along with the completion of the European funds reform, which concludes on 31 December of this year. And, in addition to that, we must also consider the finalisation-hopefully for the best-pending the ruling of the European Court of Justice, of the normalisation agenda that, in this case, represents the amnesty.

Q.- [Almudena Guerrero, TVE] Pending your appearance before Parliament, for which we still have no date.

President: Well, but that depends, it depends on the General Courts. It is not only up to me.

Q.- [Almudena Guerrero, TVE] Mr. President, do you plan to convene the parliamentary groups sooner or later to try to mend fences? Because there are partners, such as the PNV and Junts, who have asked for an early election.

President - Well, the Basque Nationalist Party, I think with doubts and, logically, skepticism, has opened the door to that, to that dialogue regarding the proposed General State Budget. And with Junts per Catalunya, indeed, communication is broken. But we continue to work precisely to rebuild this relationship of dialogue with the Junts per Catalunya party.

I believe that we have initiatives that are very positive for both the Basque Country and Catalonia. In the area of regional funding, no doubt about it. I said it the other day at the Cercle de Economía. It's not just regional funding, it's also debt relief and the advance payments: more than 150 billion euros. The highest amount ever, which we granted to the autonomous communities at the last Council of Ministers meeting.

And in relation to this matter, what we have always conveyed to the parliamentary groups is our absolute honesty and integrity. And that is precisely why we have been forceful when there have been cases that unfortunately do not represent the conduct and exemplary behaviour that characterises the Socialist Party.

Therefore, let's allow the justice system to do its work and, of course, offer our full cooperation to it and to the State Security Forces and Corps.

Q.- [José Miguel Blanco, EFE] [Inaudible] You assured us there would be no election Sunday. As of today, can you guarantee that [inaudible]?

President. - I know that's another headline, but I can guarantee, unequivocally, that there won't be a "super Sunday" election. I believe there's a debate that needs to take place, which is the debate among the mayors running for mayor, as well as for the regional presidencies in the elections next May. And what I can guarantee to the Spanish people and all the political parties is that, without a doubt, there won't be a "super Sunday" election.

President.- One, one question, please.

[President.- One, one question please.]

Q.- [Montenegro TV] [Inaudible].

President.- We are very positive and I would like to commend the government for the reforms and also, you know, from Spain, we're always open and happy to enlarge the European Union towards Western Balkans. Because, at the end of the day, we don't feel that the European Union is complete without the countries that compose the Weston Balkans.

And, in this regard, I think that Montenegro is leading. It is leading the internal reforms. And I would like to acknowledge and commend this effort.

President. - We are very optimistic and I would like to congratulate the government on the reforms and, furthermore, from Spain, we are always open and willing to expand the European Union towards the Western Balkans. Because, after all, we do not believe that the European Union is complete without the countries that make up the Western Balkans.

And in this respect, I think that Montenegro is leading. It is leading the internal reforms. And I would like to acknowledge and commend this effort.

Q.- [Almudena Guerrero, TVE] Going back to my colleague's question about taking responsibility, you said, president, that you are conducting an investigation and that you will take measures. What kind of measures?

President: Well, you will know. The important thing is that we act with facts and communicate with facts. We are rigorous, we are competent and, therefore, the legal teams are currently analysing all this vast amount of information and working on the next steps we will take.

President.- Well, that's it, otherwise....

Q.- [Iñaki Aguado, Telecinco] One last thing, Mr. President.

President.-Go ahead.

Q.- [Iñaki Aguado, Telecinco] The opposition accuses you of attacking the judiciary and judges when you talk about lynching, double standards... who would be behind this operation with methods contrary to democracy?

President.- Well, actually, quite the opposite. We, and I in particular, when there have been legal cases where there has indeed been consistency. The Socialist Party has acted with absolute forcefulness, and I don't want to mention the cases either, because you know them perfectly well.

And there was even a debate, a certain debate, when we took disciplinary measures regarding José Luis Ábalos, which were not understood by some of the party members or by the media because they said that perhaps they were too, let's say, disproportionate with respect to the information available at the time.

Therefore, we have always cooperated with the justice system. We have always taken very seriously the information provided by both the Justice system and the State Security Forces and Corps.

But what we will not allow is for this underhanded opposition to use noise and slander, without any basis whatsoever, to challenge the work of a Government that is leading Spain to enjoy one of the best periods of the last 40-45 years of our democratic history.

In economic growth, job creation, social progress and the safeguarding of rights and freedoms, all of which are now being called into question by the far right in the agreements they have with the People's Party in the regions. And we are also, of course, seeing it in other parts of Europe and the world. And Spain is now an international benchmark in terms of peace.

Therefore, I believe we must distinguish between the legitimate political debate we can have with the People's Party and with VOX, and denounce, with evidence, that this is indeed happening: this underhandedness, these dirty tricks to try to bring down the government without offering a single proposal. And secondly, we have always demonstrated respect for the justice system and for the State Security Forces and Corps.

I insist, as I have said before, I don't do what was done to us, and to me in particular, when a so-called patriotic police force issued a warrant for my arrest while I was leader of the opposition. And I was one of many others, other political adversaries, in other legal cases affecting the People's Party, where the levers of the State were used precisely to obstruct judicial action or the investigations of the State Security Forces and Corps.

That regeneration came precisely when, eight years ago, the motion of no confidence culminated successfully and there was a change of government with the progressive coalition government.

And I will defend this because it is the truth. From here on out, we will let the justice system do its work. But what I can guarantee to the public is that, in short, we have never endorsed nor have we ever been informed of Mrs Leire Díez's activities.

Well, thank you very much.

(Transcript edited by the State Secretariat for Communication)

Original speech in Spanish and English

Non official translation