Pedro Sánchez: "What this Government is doing is serving the social majority"

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, insisted in the Lower House of Parliament that the Executive's priority is to "serve the social majority of the country." As an example, he cited the data from the latest Labour Force Survey: "More than half a million jobs created during this last year and a temporary employment rate below the European average. All of this represents a labour reform that we approved with the social partners and with a parliamentary majority. This means that we serve the workers."

IIn his response to Alberto Núñez Feijóo, member of the People's Party Parliamentary Group, the president emphasised other figures that, in his view, demonstrate the government's dedication to citizens: "When we raise pensions in line with inflation or increase the pension reserve fund so that it will reach €25 billion by 2027, we are serving pensioners. When we implement the most significant cut in energy prices in history as a consequence of the war with Iran, we are serving industry, the self-employed, and small and medium-sized enterprises. When we defend international law, human rights, and a rules-based international order, and call on the European Union to withdraw from the association agreement with Israel, we are defending and serving common sense in our country and around the world."

Priorities set eight years ago

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, upon his arrival at the Lower House of Parliament | Pool Congreso

Pedro Sánchez also defended the government's commitment to serving the majority of society in his response to Deputy Maribel Vaquero of the Basque Parliamentary Group (EAJ-PNV). He emphasised that "the government's priorities" were established eight years ago: growth, job creation, redistributing that growth among the working middle class, and addressing the digital and energy transformations that "are making us much more resilient to energy shocks resulting from armed conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East."

In his reply to Alberto Catalán Higueras, a member of the Mixed Parliamentary Group, the President of the Government of Spain also asserted that the government "has reduced inequality" thanks to economic growth and job creation, although he acknowledged that "serious problems" remain, such as the housing crisis, which they are committed to resolving.

Acknowledgement of "constructive positions"

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, together with the First Vice-President and Minister for Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo | Pool Congreso

However, the president stressed that the Government needs dialogue to achieve these priorities: "Of course I want company, and good company at that. This Government has given a boost to the transfer of powers unlike anything seen before in the entire history of democracy."

In this regard, Pedro Sánchez recalled that several of the milestones achieved, such as the labour reform, were attained with the support of various parliamentary groups and social partners: the unions and employers' associations. For this reason, he emphasised his gratitude for the "constructive positions" that prioritise the common good.

Non official translation