Spanish MPs from the European Parliament They look to 2023 with hope but there are also some concerns about a potentially explosive year. Spain. not just for two major election dates Scheduled according to the Spanish calendar – municipality and district in May and general December – or violent political feud continued by the government and the opposition for months. the Renewal of the General Assembly for the Judiciary (CGPJ) only between July and December of next year Pedro Sanchez Government handle Rotating two-year presidency of the European Union, his fifth since joining the club. A crucial political moment for any Member State taking on this role and stretch Y conflict politics Spain is currently alive.
“The French presidency of Emmanuel Macron, which also coincided with the presidential elections in France, showed us that it is possible to run a good election campaign and at the same time hold the semi-presidency of the EU. For the coalition government, it does not have to be bad and the Spanish presidency is very hopeful looks”, assures Maria Eugenia Rodriguez Palop. “It will be a difficult year but it will be positive for Spain,” said this European Parliament Member from United We Can hopefully. “No matter if a party is in government or in the opposition, when most presidency is held, this is a moment for the country. The country must show Europe that it can raise issues, that it has a serious leadership.” it adds. Ernest Urtasun (Catalunya en Comú) perceives Spain’s future presidency as a “great opportunity” for Spain to push certain political priorities and calmly run the presidency.
“I wish it was like this, but I have no confidence in myself. People’s Party During the term in the European Parliament, they said they would blow up the presidency. The only thing that can be done is to call for responsibility, not to boycott things, and not to politicize a country-only presidency that belongs to the country, not the party,” said this lawmaker from the Greens, which is more complex. “This is in 2022 and the EU will be tested again”. At the last plenary meeting, PPE tried to force a discussion on the renewal of the Judiciary through the Spanish PP. If this is happening a year before the election, imagine what the next few months will be like. I am sure that during the Spanish presidency, it will intensify both on one side and on the other,” says ERC MEP, jordi solewho also sees the presidency as an opportunity to talk more about Europe and do more news.
Punishment
“If the opposition in Spain tries to use the Spanish presidency as an element of conflict, it will be punished in Brussels and there will be a net cost,” the Catalan socialist said. javi lopez. Head of the PP delegation, Dolors Montserratreturns the notification. “The Spanish presidency does not belong to any one government, it belongs to all Spaniards. We need a government that understands this and does not use the presidency for propaganda or praising a party. The Presidency helps Spain to be recognized and recognized within the EU. Therefore, the Presidency of the Spanish Government We hope and demand that he not take it as a campaign act,” warns Montserrat, given the possibility that Sánchez could take advantage of the presidency.
From Ciudadanos, its spokesperson at Eurochamber, Adrian Vazquezguarantees that they will maintain a “constructive” stance and that the positive aspect of having the Spanish presidency in the European Parliament’s last active year – elections will be held in 2024 – is that “a number of important measures and pieces of legislation have been taken”. On the downside, he adds, “of course it will be the other way around if this country somehow loses its influence or starts to come under pressure from Brussels because of election appointments or the decisions of its government.” And according to him, the CGPJ That’s the risk Spain faces if its renewal is not resolved before Brussels presents the next deal. rule of law report. “We may end up very badly,” he warns, and reminds that the Spanish presidency could begin with a “serious warning” from the European Commission and its Justice Commissioner, Didier ReyndersHe will meet in January to address “the drift we are experiencing in Spain”.
Social agenda and Latin America
Despite the tension and risk between the government and the opposition Spanish influence The presidency in Brussels will come at a key time for Europe, less than a year before the next elections for the European Parliament, which will force every effort to close the largest number of legislative files awaiting the Executive. For example, the last items of the package suitable for 55 or the directive on the rights of platform workers. “I don’t know if the Swedish presidency will be able to handle it in the first half of 2023, but if it doesn’t, it’s one of the biggest issues that Spain can pull off or lead.” ,” predicts Urtasun, like Rodríguez-Palop more social agenda. “We want more results and progress in the social sphere. At the social level, very few measures and very little legislation have been approved, and we want the Spanish presidency to take a step,” explains Solé.
According to the different political parties consulted, another factor that Spain can leave a mark on will be re-starting ties and relations with Spain. Southern Neighboring countries and especially with Latin America. “We will have a Spanish presidency that will make it possible to re-strengthen relations with Latin America. In July, the first of eight years, a summit of heads of state is being prepared. It is a very important summit because of the war in Ukraine.” it pushes us to think in more strategic terms,” he explains. Partnership agreements with Chile and Mexico coincides with the great summit of leaders. “Spain is a bridge between Europe and Iberian-America. You should really see the results of a major Iberian-American summit where we signed the Mercosur agreement and work for human rights and freedoms” because “it will also help us stabilize” Ibero-America”, agrees Montserrat.
Fiscal rules and European funds
The Pedro Sánchez Government will predictably find other important debates on the table. Russian war in Ukraine and its consequences, energy crisis and proposal electricity market reform implementation of recovery funds expected for the beginning of the year Next Generation EUreform tax rules The Stability and Growth Pact needs to be supported before the general escape clause is deactivated at the beginning of 2024. rules on the rule of law, asylum and immigration agreement wave Response to American inflation reduction law Joe Biden, state aid policy and a possible European sovereign fund to support European industrial policy.
What everyone agrees on is, ‘Qatargate’ scandal, the alleged bribery scheme that has plagued the European Parliament in recent weeks and led to the dismissal of a deputy head of the Chamber and his indictment before the Belgian courts will (or should not) have any effect on Spain. EU presidency. They agree that “it is the European Parliament that must do its homework and take action”, from left to right they see it as “a bunch of rotten apples” that tarnishes and tarnishes the institution’s reputation.