Pedro Sánchez, the Head of the Spanish Government, addressed the plenary session of the European Parliament on Wednesday 16 January with a pro-European speech with a very social focus.
After a brief introduction on Spain's European past, Mr Sánchez began his speech by commenting on the British House of Commons' rejection, the day before, of the agreement on an orderly exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union (see EUROPE 12172). He regretted that the "best possible agreement", which "best protects both parties", was rejected by a large majority.
Like several European political leaders (see other news), he then asked London to take the decisions considered "appropriate" for the follow-up to events. While Mr Sánchez recalled that he had always considered Brexit to be a "misfortune", which penalizes all parties, especially the "most vulnerable" people, he nevertheless stated that the choice of British citizens was "a sovereign decision that we can only respect".
Whatever the outcome of the negotiations, Mr Sánchez considered that three principles should be respected: the integrity of the internal market, the indivisibility of the four fundamental freedoms and the Union's decision-making autonomy.
Relegate and protect Europe. The Spanish Head of Government then shared with MEPs his vision for the future of the European Union.
He stressed the need for a social Europe, including this message summarising the tone of his speech: "For Europe to protect, it is up to us to protect Europe".
For him, protecting the European Union means putting in place social policies, "a Europe of law, which protects vulnerable people", a Union which guarantees the security and defence of citizens, or a Union which respects its climate commitments. This is done in the spirit of a community of values.
Mr Sánchez, for example, advocated the idea of setting up a European Unemployment Stabilisation Fund (see EUROPE 12160, 12044), and called for the completion of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). "EMU reform must ensure social protection and inclusion", he said.
"We no longer want to talk about the economy without talking about the lives of workers", said Udo Bullmann (S&D, Germany). Liberal policies" no longer meet "the expectations of the most vulnerable", commented Laura Ferrara (EFDD, Italy).
On the social front, the Spanish leader also mentioned the need to reach a final agreement on the directive on the balance between private and professional life (see EUROPE 12160) and the possibility of making the European Pillar of Social Rights (see EUROPE 11906) binding.
Mr Sánchez also insisted on gender equality, as he heads the executive in Europe with the most women, an element welcomed by Ska Keller (Greens/EFA, Germany). "Today, I want to propose the adoption of a binding European Union gender equality strategy", he added.
"We don't want good intentions, we want social policy commitments", warned Paloma López Bermejo (GUE/NGL, Spain), referring to the measures taken by Spain and the EU.
End of unanimity in the Council. With regard to the Union's place on the world stage, Mr Sánchez expressed his wish to move forward within the framework of European security and defence, referring in particular to the "creation of a genuine European army". It also took a position for the end of the unanimity rule in the EU Council on foreign affairs, but also on taxation (see EUROPE 12172), respect for the rule of law and the multiannual financial framework.
"The unanimity rule [...] is the main problem that must be resolved" in the Union, welcomed Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE, Belgium).
Finally, on migration policy, he welcomed Morocco's role in managing flows (see EUROPE 12160). Mr Sánchez then presented the positive aspects of immigration and pointed out the need to reach an agreement with the countries of the African continent.
A successful outcome of the negotiations on the reform of the European asylum system is crucial for him (see EUROPE 12172), a reform that must be guided by the need to "respect our duties". While Manfred Weber (EPP, Germany) welcomed the European nature of the Spanish Head of Government's speech, he nevertheless expressed, on behalf of the EPP, a more rigid position on immigration. "Illegal immigration must be stopped", he said.
Pedro Sánchez concluded his speech by pleading for the Member States to defend the construction of Europe, which he used the term "federal Europe". "We need conviction and determination. And to combine ideals with the search for pragmatism, as we have done for more than 60 years", he said. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)