Spanish Members of the European Parliament approach 2023 with cautious optimism, aware that the year may bring volatility. In Spain, two major electoral milestones loom: local and regional elections in May, followed by a general election in December. Political clashes between the government and opposition have persisted, shaping a tense domestic atmosphere. The renewal of the General Assembly for the Judiciary (CGPJ) is expected to occur between July and December, while the Sánchez government faces the challenge of steering Europe’s rotating presidency for two years. Spain will take the helm as its fifth presidency since joining the European Union, a pivotal moment for any member state in charge of EU affairs. The Spanish political landscape remains intensely debated as the presidency nears.
“The French presidency under Emmanuel Macron showed that a strong campaign can coexist with effective management of the EU’s semi-presidency. For the coalition government, the experience need not be negative, and the Spanish presidency holds genuine promise,” notes Maria Eugenia Rodríguez Palop. The United We Can MEP remains hopeful, adding, “It will be a tough year, but it will be positive for Spain. Regardless of who governs, when the presidency is held, it becomes a moment for the country to demonstrate leadership and engage Europe with seriousness.” Ernest Urtasun (Catalunya en Comú) sees Spain’s presidency as a chance to advance specific priorities while guiding the process smoothly.
“I wish it were otherwise, but I lack confidence in myself. The People’s Party in the European Parliament warned about destabilizing the presidency. The only sane course is to urge responsibility, avoid blocking essential work, and recognize that a national presidency belongs to the country, not a single party,” argues a Greens MEP, underscoring the complexities involved. “This is still 2022, and the EU will be tested again.” At the last plenary, the PPE pressed for discussion on renewing the judiciary through the Spanish PP, illustrating how a year before elections tensions could mount. Jordi Sole, an ERC MEP who also sees the presidency as a chance to broaden Europe-wide discussions and generate more news, suggests the Spanish presidency could become a stage for higher visibility across the bloc.
Punishment
“If the opposition in Spain uses the presidency as a tool for conflict, consequences will follow in Brussels with real political costs,” cautions a Catalan socialist. The head of the PP delegation, Dolors Montserrat, counters, “The Spanish presidency does not belong to any one government; it belongs to all Spaniards. A government should recognize this and avoid using the presidency for propaganda or party praise. The presidency helps Spain gain recognition within the EU, so the Spanish government should not treat it as a campaign act.” The possibility that Sánchez could leverage the presidency for party advantage is acknowledged as a potential risk.
Ciudadanos offers a constructive stance through its Eurochamber spokesperson, Adrian Vazquez, noting that the presidency could deliver positive outcomes in its final active year in Parliament, ahead of the 2024 elections. He warns that if Spain loses influence or faces Brussels pressure due to election-related appointments or government choices, the situation could worsen. He also flags the renewal of the CGPJ as a potential risk if not resolved before Brussels reviews the next rule-of-law report. “We could end up in a difficult position,” he warns, adding that the Spanish presidency might begin with a firm warning from the European Commission and Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, who is scheduled to meet in January to address concerns about Spain’s political drift.
Social agenda and Latin America
Despite tensions between the government and the opposition, Spain’s influence in Brussels during the presidency will come at a crucial moment for Europe—less than a year before the next European Parliament elections—requiring effort to advance a large portion of pending legislation. The final elements of the 55-package and the platform workers directive are among the items anticipated. Urtasun and Rodríguez-Palop foresee a more social-focused agenda, urging tangible progress in social policy. They stress that very few social measures have advanced and call for concrete results during the Spanish presidency.
Another area where Spain could leave a mark is rebuilding ties with neighboring regions and Latin America. A Spanish presidency could foster stronger links with Latin American partners, with July marking the start of an eight-year cycle and a major leaders’ summit planned to address the war in Ukraine and broader strategic questions. Partnerships with Chile and Mexico align with a broader Iberian-American agenda, and many see Spain as a bridge between Europe and Ibero-America. Observers emphasize the importance of a robust Iberian-American summit, noting the Mercosur agreement, human rights commitments, and the promotion of freedoms as key outcomes of the dialogue.
Fiscal rules and European funds
The Sánchez government will confront several major debates: the war in Ukraine and its consequences, the energy crisis, and plans to reform the electricity market. The implementation of Next Generation EU reforms, tax rules, and the Stability and Growth Pact will be watched closely, with the general escape clause set to expire at the start of 2024. Discussions on the rule of law, asylum, immigration, and potential state aid policy, along with the possible creation of a European sovereign fund to bolster industrial policy, are on the table as well.
There is broad agreement that the Qatargate scandal, involving bribery allegations within the European Parliament and the dismissal and legal proceedings of a deputy, should not derail Spain’s presidency. Many see the issue as a problem for the Parliament to resolve internally, not a reason to tarnish the presidency’s reputation. A shared belief across the spectrum is that the European Parliament must act decisively while treating the Spanish presidency with the seriousness it deserves. [Citation: European Parliament coverage, internal analysis]