The outgoing Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, will not be presenting the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which begins on Monday 11 September.
“The provisional date was 13 September, coinciding with the plenary session, but it was never put on the European Parliament’s agenda. With an investiture (of the Spanish government, editor’s note) underway, the most respectful thing to do with this process is to wait”, the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council confirmed to EUROPE on Tuesday 29 August.
On the other hand, the ministers of the outgoing government are expected to take part in a political exercise that is customary for any Member State starting its six-monthly Presidency of the EU Council.
Christian Democrat Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Partido Popular which won the most seats in the legislative elections, has been tasked with forming a government. He will submit to a vote of investiture on Wednesday 27 September, even though he does not yet appear to be in a position to rally a parliamentary majority behind him. If this fails, there will be a two-month period during which another person, such as Mr Sánchez, could be given the task.
Mr Sánchez had decided not to present Spain’s priorities to the European Parliament in July due to the proximity of the general elections on 23 July (see EUROPE 13194/28). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)