The PPE asks that Sánchez not present the Spanish presidency in the Eurochamber in the middle of the campaign

He European People’s Party (PPE) wants to prevent Pedro Sanchez use the plenary session of the European Parliament as a showcase to promote yourself in the middle of the electoral campaign for the early elections on July 23.

The head of the popular group, the German Manfred Weberhas requested the postponement of the speech that Sánchez plans to give in Strasbourg on July 13 to explain the priorities of the Spanish presidency of the EU.

The presentation of the Spanish presidency must be delayed to the plenary session of the European Parliament in September so that the winner of the elections on July 23 will be the one to take the podium and thus avoid any politicization, Weber maintains in a letter sent to the president of the Eurochamber, Roberta Metsolato which this newspaper has had access.

[El adelanto de Sánchez desdibuja la presidencia española y complica el fin de legislatura en la UE]

“Taking into account the exceptional circumstances, I ask you to consider delaying the date of presentation of the program of activities of the Spanish presidency from the July plenary session to that of September to allow the newly elected prime minister presents the council’s priorities outside of national political battles“, argues the head of the PPE.

“I think this slight adjustment to our institutional calendar will reinforce the legitimacy of the process. This will strengthen our ability to meet our common priorities,” says Weber. Parliamentary sources admit that his request has little chance of success, especially since it is not clear that the new government has already been formed in September.

In the letter, the president of the PPE recalls that it is a common practice for the European Parliament to receive the head of state or government of the country in question at the beginning of each presidency for the presentation and debate of its work program.

“In this context, and after the success of the Swedish presidency, we were waiting to hold the next debate on this issue in the July plenary session on the Spanish presidency,” says Weber.

Nevertheless, Sánchez’s decision to advance the elections to July 23 changes everything. “This is exactly three weeks after Spain assumes the presidency of the Council of the EU for the second half of 2023, starting on July 1,” the letter continues.

“The Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU comes at a time when the EU is facing unprecedented challenges linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine, inflation and high energy prices. In addition, the EU must work internally to solidify the rule of law, find points of agreement on the migration problem and increase competitiveness”, underlines the head of the PPE.

“With this backdrop, the priorities set by the rotating presidency play a key role. Its presentation by the Heads of State and Government before the plenary session constitutes a crucial institutional moment in terms of accountability,” the letter concludes.