Spain assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Sweden. If an election turn aligns with July 23, six months before the informal ministers’ meetings and the summits of heads of state, the baton would be in the hands of Spain’s premier, Pedro Sánchez, or his successor. It marks the fifth time since 1989 that Madrid leads the rotating presidency. Yet Europe has since transformed—shaped by war and a global pandemic—and faces a markedly different set of challenges today.
Back in 2010, the economy dominated the agenda as socialist leader José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero navigated the storm of a financial crisis. Today, geopolitics takes precedence. Sanctions on Russia, the cutting of hydrocarbons, and the resulting inflation underscore how energy security has become central. The Spanish presidency is expected to confront a world where political factors outweigh purely economic ones.
One urgent priority highlighted by diplomatic sources is accelerating reforms in the European electricity market. Europe cannot afford to rely on fragile energy foundations. The continent’s resilience matters, as future suppliers could include Algeria or China, and the current leverage Russia once exerted over energy and critical goods cannot be easily replicated this time around.
Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to visit Kyiv this Saturday to symbolize a new geopolitical moment. There, the president will meet Ukraine’s counterpart to inaugurate the Spanish presidency and present a path toward Ukraine and Moldova. According to diplomatic circles, the EU’s stance will be informed by the Commission’s view, anticipated on October 11, as the presidency begins amid preparations for the informal meeting of EU leaders and members of the European Political Community at the Alhambra in Granada, with possible attendance by Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
strategic autonomy
The Prime Minister’s address to European ambassadors during Spain’s term underscored a push toward reducing industrial dependence on foreign sources. The agenda emphasizes relocation, strategic autonomy, and securing essential inputs and raw materials. This framework will guide Spain as it holds the rotating presidency in a period of heightened global uncertainty.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares framed the mission as a stand for Ukraine: supporting Kyiv is also a stand for pluralism and against authoritarian models of exclusion, reinforcing shared European values in a tense geopolitical landscape. The presidency’s practical impact, however, extends beyond grand rhetoric to the mechanics of EU governance—where bills depend on EU institutions, not solely on the rotating chair. The analogy of a railway timetable—where departures and arrivals are coordinated—illustrates the careful orchestration required. Events can pivot quickly, as shown by France’s recalibration when conflict erupted. The question remains whether Spain’s presidency will confront a similar recalibration in response to Ukraine or other crises.
Beyond Ukraine, Sánchez’s government signaled a focus on 122 of the 360 ongoing EU cases, with specifics to be disclosed as the presidency unfolds. Time is tight, as the EU Parliament’s current mandate nears its end in 2024. This week, Sánchez will host Council President Charles Michel, followed by a gathering of 27 ministers representing EU member states. The leadership will be steered by Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, in what is described as a highly Europeanist presidency that seeks to balance diverse national priorities.
No deal at Mercosur
Most sources expect the July 17–18 Latin American summit not to yield a free trade agreement with Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay). France’s stance appears to block such an outcome, while about 21 Latin American leaders are expected to attend in some capacity. Questions remain about other regional figures who may attend, including leaders from Venezuela or Cuba.
Spain is expected to maintain neutrality in its presidency while navigating regional interests to the south, particularly regarding Morocco, Algeria, and the Sahel. The annual Union for the Mediterranean meeting remains a potential venue where these priorities could intersect with trade, fisheries, and regional stability. The expiration of the current trade and fisheries agreement with Morocco on July 17 looms large, especially after European court rulings challenged parts of that agreement.
The presidency involves a vast program spanning Spain’s geography, with informal ministerial meetings across two dozen cities. Autonomous communities will host major events, drawing delegations that will energize local economies. Examples include Agriculture and Fisheries in Vigo, Defense and Foreign Affairs in Toledo, and Economy and Finance in Santiago de Compostela, with Latin American partners looking to engage with Europe’s capital region. These activities underscore the presidency’s ambition to strengthen European cohesion across diverse policy areas.
Diplomatic observers note that Spain’s leadership—a country deeply embedded in European affairs—offers a stabilizing influence during a period of political fragility across the continent. The alternative—rise of fringe movements or internal divisions—could challenge the EU’s unity, especially in the current geopolitical climate. The presidency, in this sense, is as much about unity as it is about policy execution, balancing strategic interests with the Union’s core values and commitments.