The final royal decree, approved by the coalition government ahead of the election period, received broad support in the Permanent House of Representatives this Wednesday, earning a sizable majority with 58 votes in favor from PSOE, United We Can, ERC, Citizens, PNV, EH Bildu, and other parties. Only 11 abstentions came from PP and Vox. The measure set includes drought relief actions, a ban on outdoor work during orange and red heat alerts, and additional policies to counter heat-related risks. It also mentions discounts on rail travel for teenagers.
Ten days after Pedro Sánchez reshuffled the political leadership by dissolving the Cortes—Congress and Senate—to call elections on July 23, the PSOE government and Unidas Podemos claim a milestone for this legislature. The coalition has reclaimed the backing of the entire progressive bloc, with Ciudadanos joining in support. A spokesman for Orange, Edmundo Bal, signaled a shift by criticizing his party’s decision not to participate in the elections, hinting at a broader reorientation within the political landscape.
As anticipated, the call for elections sparked debate. A PSOE member declared that July 23 would mark a moment for Spain to pursue opportunity, effort, and sacrifice, insisting that the country would speak for itself after three years of political gridlock. A PP representative responded by criticizing the timing and manner of the decree, signaling continued partisan tension as the discussion moved forward.
The debate extended beyond the immediate issue. Pablo Echenique, spokesperson for Unidas Podemos, argued against policies that benefited international finance at the expense of ordinary people, emphasizing a future government that would stand up to what he described as aggressive foreign capital. Mertxe Aizpurúa of EH Bildu urged socialist colleagues and the public to recognize that resisting the far right is not enough; action is required in defense of social gains and regional resilience.
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The decree, approved by the Council of Ministers on May 11, lays out several key provisions. It includes direct support for agricultural communities hit by drought and new infrastructure meant to alleviate water shortages, reducing the risk that farmers will abandon planting this year, which could ultimately push up food prices. The package signals a broader strategy to stabilize rural livelihoods amid climate stress and to bolster food security for households across the country.
Among the headline measures is the construction of a desalination facility in Blanes, La Selva, at a project cost of 220 million euros. Additional projects in Malaga and Almería are set to receive about 200 million euros, with a focused effort to expand water reuse capabilities in Alicante, supported by a 224 million euro investment. The decree also provides relief from certain water-use charges to ease irrigation costs for farmers facing tight water restrictions.
Another central component of the decree is a ban on outdoor work during orange or red heat alerts, a policy aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat exposure. The package also includes targeted rail fare reductions for young people ages 18 to 30: Interrail passes will be subsidized at 50 percent from June 15 to September 15, while state-supported rail routes, including high-speed lines, will see a substantial discount of up to 90 percent to encourage safer, more sustainable travel during peak heat periods.
Together, these measures illustrate a coordinated approach to climate resilience, rural sustainability, and social protection. They reflect a broader government priority: safeguard vulnerable communities, support farmers under pressure from drought, and promote safer mobility choices while pursuing long-term economic and environmental stability. The debate surrounding the decree underscores the ongoing tension between rapid policy responses and the varied interests of the political spectrum as the country moves toward a new electoral cycle.