The notes of Pau Casals’ Hymn of Peace provide the ceremonial finish to Spain’s presidency of the Council of the European Union on 21 December. A Madrid concert drew attendance from the king, the government with four vice presidents and twelve ministers. Over these six months, as many important files were opened, Spain projected strength at Moncloa and in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The shift involved migration, energy, and the influence of artificial intelligence on financial discipline. Critics argued that political support for Pedro Sánchez weakened during this term, with early elections discussed and negotiations with Catalan independents to secure votes for his candidacy. The presidency was described as successful, with more than 70 complex agreements concluded, an above-average achievement.
The period saw strong political tension in Spain and a polarized national debate. It affected both the government and the opposition, who wanted to shift internal problems onto Europe. Issues included amnesty and the rule of law, or linguistic concerns, as noted by Raquel García, a researcher at the Royal Elcano Institute. Her assessment emphasized that these tensions influence how partners perceive Spain as a solid, reliable, and consistent ally.
When Pedro Sánchez announced the progress of the government’s election strategy at the end of May, it was stated that Spain’s EU Council presidency would not suffer. It was argued that Spain possessed the capacity to organize the hundreds of events required, and that Sánchez would sustain political momentum, similar to Emmanuel Macron during his own presidency amid an election period.
Yet the elections altered both the agenda and the content of several presidential priorities. The timing of the Board of Commissioners’ visit was adjusted to avoid clashing with the campaign. Sánchez postponed his appearance before the European Parliament twice. Priorities were outlined first in July and then in September. His Strasbourg appearance on 13 December included confrontations involving the head of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, echoing Spanish concerns about the rule of law while condemning the rise of the far right.
The electoral cycle influenced every stage of the presidency. Negotiations to win Catalan votes from Junts and ERC began on 17 August with a letter from José Manuel Albares requesting changes to the language regime to include Catalan, Basque, and Galician. The letter, addressed to Pedro Sánchez and sent to the EU Council which he chairs, signaled Spain’s effort to secure participation at multiple General Affairs Council meetings.
The Prime Minister left Brussels quickly after the EU-Celac summit with Latin America on 17 and 18 July. Instead of a traditional press briefing, he returned to Spain to join a rally in Donosti ahead of the 23-J general elections. In another gathering at Granada, Sánchez hosted fifty European leaders from the European Political Community at the Alhambra.
legislative frenzy
Officials in Moncloa recognize the impact of the electoral timetable. They emphasized the quiet but steady work of senior diplomats from the permanent representations in Brussels, who continued to advance agreements in the trilogues. In the EU framework, trilogues are working groups with members from the Commission, the Parliament, and the Council Presidency for each legislative proposal.
This effort culminated in landmark reforms, including the world’s first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence regulation after China’s, the Migration and Asylum Pact, reforms to the electricity system, the launch of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, and new rules governing EU debt and deficits.
Diplomatic sources also highlighted less visible progress, such as advancement in the Mediterranean region, where Spain pushed a broader political agenda. There was a push for expanding the Schengen area to include Bulgaria and Romania, and the introduction of a European Disability Card intended to enable freer movement for people with disabilities across the union.
Raquel García explained that many agreements reflected Spain’s priorities, notably social policy and the defense of European citizenship, with emphasis on social rights, European Digital Identity, platform worker regulation, a tripartite summit with unions and companies, and regional harmonization.
Spanish stamp on the presidency
Since the Lisbon Treaty came into force in 2009, each member state has had limited ability to leave a strong mark on the rotating presidency. Foreign Minister Albares argued that Spain left a clear imprint, especially in Latin America, noting that the EU-Celac Summit marked a turning point after eight years without such an event. Brazilian President Lula da Silva remarked that the EU offered more attention to Latin America at this summit than ever before.
No decisive results emerged from the bilateral talks on the Mercosur free trade agreement, which faced opposition from France over agriculture and environmental concerns. The EU committed to investing €45 billion to deepen ties with Latin America and the Caribbean through the Global Gateway by 2027.
Albares stated that the launch of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, along with progress in the Balkans, demonstrated a strong Spanish impulse. He added that decisive actions were necessary to guide the way for Europe.
Every presidency also meets unforeseen events. During Spain’s term, the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 resulted in more than 1,200 deaths, with Israel’s retaliation causing further casualties in Gaza. The EU included a Spanish proposal to host a peace conference once the conflict is resolved, aiming for a two-state solution with Palestinians alongside Israel. Albares concluded that the ceasefire request carries a Spanish seal and that the EU should continue its aid to Palestine, reinforcing leadership during the presidency.