Closed airspace for the US military, residency permits for undocumented migrants, clashes with tech tycoons: Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez presents himself as an “anti-Trump”
At the beginning of the US mission against Iran, the Spanish government made it clear that the United States could not use Spanish military bases for this purpose. This week it was revealed that Spanish airspace is also closed to US aircraft participating in the mission in Iran. “No to war” is Pedro Sánchez’s mantra. It is not a question of whether one is for or against the regime in Tehran, Sánchez explained his position in early March. Of course, there is a regime in Iran that violates human rights. But his government is concerned with the question: Is Spain for or against international law? The attack only exacerbates existing problems.
“WE WILL NOT OBEY THE US”
US President Donald Trump was furious: he said he wanted nothing to do with Spain. The possibility of imposing punitive tariffs was raised again. But Sánchez refused to be intimidated and “slavishly follow the US.” The tone was set. And this was entirely in keeping with the tradition of his social democratic party, which in Spain is called the PSOE.
Political analyst Pablo Simón states: “This party’s relations with the United States of America have always been complicated. As is the case with most of the European left.” It is completely absurd to believe that the PSOE could pursue a policy of subservience to the United States.
THAT THE WAR IN IRAQ WAS AN ISSUE IN THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN
There was resistance to NATO membership in the 1980s. And in 2004, the Social Democrats won elections partly thanks to a promise to withdraw troops from Iraq. The previous conservative government had led Spain into the so-called “coalition of the willing.” Since then, military intervention alongside the US has been unpopular in the country. And neither is the current US-Israeli intervention against Iran. According to a poll by the newspaper El País, only 23% of Spaniards support it.
ATTENTION TO COALITION PARTNERS
It is therefore likely that Pedro Sánchez, with his “no war” stance, is responding to a popular desire. This could be one of the reasons for his policy. The second: his coalition partner, the left-wing Sumar party. It would be political suicide for Sánchez to support the US. Apart from the PSOE voters themselves, “Sumar would not accept it,” says Pablo Simón. An increase in military spending to five percent of gross domestic product – a declared NATO target – was already unacceptable to this coalition.
The Social Democrats and Sumari form a minority government in Spain, the end of which has seemed imminent at times. The coalition party claims to be proud that Spain opposes “imperialist war”. Pedro Sánchez finds himself in a delicate situation, not least because of a corruption scandal within his own party. He now presents himself as a kind of “anti-Trump”, thus pursuing the discontent of his core electorate.
In another case, his political approach is actually benefiting the economy. Unlike Trump, Sánchez’s government is currently offering at least 500,000 undocumented immigrants the chance to regularize their status. The Spanish economy is booming, especially in the construction and tourism sectors, which are in dire need of jobs. Moreover, migrant spending is boosting domestic consumption.
“TRAITOR TO THE SPANISH PEOPLE”
The tech tycoons remain. While they are demonstratively trying to get closer to Donald Trump, and vice versa, Sánchez’s government is working to limit the use of social media for under-16s. He compared social media to a failed state, where laws are broken and crimes are tolerated. Tech billionaire Elon Musk later called Pedro Sánchez a “dirty tyrant and traitor to the Spanish people.” Critics accuse Pedro Sánchez of trying to divert attention from the problems and poor results in regional elections. The leader of the conservative Spanish opposition, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, believes that the country’s security should not be compromised in an attempt to win votes at home.
CONCERN FOR EUROPE’S SECURITY
Within his Spanish People’s Party, the opinion of many European heads of government and diplomats seems to be supported that Europe is currently dependent on American military equipment, nuclear shields and intelligence. Political analyst Pablo Simón claims that the foreign policy that Sánchez is currently pursuing is giving him too many advantages. The question arises whether it could be a little more “discreet”. Pedro Sánchez can think: being insulted by Donald Trump and Elon Musk is more of an honor than a problem. Sánchez is likely to have next year in mind. Then Spain will hold general elections. (DW)