As Madrid prepares to take over the rotating presidency of the European Union on 1 July 2023, we look at the key facts.
Spain will take over the presidency of the EU this July, and now its program has been unveiled, along with those of Belgium and Hungary. An 18-month work programme has been drawn up as part of the “trio of presidencies”. Diego López Garrido, the Spanish Secretary of State for EU Affairs, also stressed that the Spanish Presidency will have four main priorities.
The Economy
As a result of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, new policies are emerging for more regionally focused economic models. For this reason, one of Spain’s first objectives is to focus on the economy. This focus on the economy will mainly relate to revitalising the economy and creating new jobs. However, this may also be internally motivated, as Spain has the second highest unemployment rate in the EU at 19.3%, which has certainly been a factor in setting this focus.
The Lisbon Treaty
The second priority was the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty. The aim is to familiarise citizens with the new instruments, such as the citizens’ initiative, so that they can use them to their advantage.
Connecting EU and citizens
The Presidency also aims to connect people with the European Union in order to close the gap between Europe and its citizens. There should be more communication on both sides so that both parties can meet on equal terms and the EU is not seen as something out of reach.
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Anti-discrimination
Spain also intends to support an anti-discrimination directive, with a particular focus on combating violence against women.
At the end of May, Spain moved to the right in regional and local elections. The Spanish People’s Party won more than 31% of the vote nationwide, an increase of more than nine percentage points from the previous election. Whether this will have an impact on Spain’s programme in the EU Council remains to be seen.
Until Spain takes over the EU presidency on 1 July, it will be held by Sweden.
