Pedro Sánchez
Prime Minister of Spain · Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
1 change of mind on record, 2022–2023
Where they stand
The latest thing they said on each issue, dated. Tap an issue for their words and the source.
Economy and work
Housing Rent caps and public housing
Said
His government's housing decrees extend rental contracts by up to two years for tenants who pay on time and limit rent rises.
“Lo que hacemos es, en uno de ellos, prorrogar hasta dos años los contratos de quienes están al corriente de pago y limitando las subidas del alquiler.”
Our translation What we do is, in one of them, extend by up to two years the contracts of those who are up to date with payment, and limiting rent rises.
Taxing wealth Raise taxes on the wealthiest
Said
Spain's taxes on large fortunes and net wealth should stay, because those who have most should contribute most, and he wants the same pursued globally.
“Y como nos recuerda el profesor Zucman, los que más tienen deben contribuir más y, por tanto, España no va a cejar en que este empeño también se cumpla a escala global.”
Our translation And as Professor Zucman reminds us, those who have the most must contribute the most and, therefore, Spain will not give up on this endeavour also being fulfilled on a global scale.
Working week Cut the week to 37.5 hours
Said
The cut in the working week his government was sending to parliament is a social demand that would raise productivity, and employers should not oppose it.
“El segundo apunte coyuntural que me gustaría hacerles tiene que ver con la reducción de la jornada laboral, que también llevaremos a este mismo martes en el Consejo de ministros y ministras. Esta es, saben ustedes, una demanda social y estamos convencidos de que contribuiría a mejorar la productividad y la estabilidad de la fuerza trabajadora y, por tanto, a nuestras empresas.”
Our translation The second point on the current situation I would like to make has to do with the reduction of the working day, which we will also take this very Tuesday to the Council of Ministers. This is, as you know, a social demand and we are convinced that it would help improve the productivity and stability of the workforce and, therefore, our companies.
Nuclear power Close them as planned
Said
The government will keep to the plant closures agreed with the energy companies; owners who want longer lives must guarantee energy security with no cost to the state or taxpayers.
“No vamos a frenar la apuesta por las renovables y, por supuesto, hemos pactado con las empresas energéticas el cierre de las centrales nucleares y vamos a seguir esa línea porque apostamos por una energía más barata y, por supuesto, también por una energía que cumpla con esa transición ecológica que necesitamos para dejarle a nuestros hijos y a nuestras hijas un mundo habitable, y creo que merece la pena.”
Our translation We are not going to slow the commitment to renewables and, of course, we have agreed with the energy companies the closure of the nuclear plants and we are going to follow that line because we are committed to cheaper energy and, of course, also to energy that fulfils the ecological transition we need to leave our sons and daughters a habitable world, and I think it is worth it.
Society
Undocumented migrants Regularise them
Said
His government's regularisation recognises the rights of migrants who contribute to the country; more than 430,000 have been regularised and now work and pay social security.
“con la regularización de migrantes también reconociendo derechos a personas que están contribuyendo al bienestar y a la prosperidad de nuestro país. Y fíjese que ya tenemos más de 430.000 migrantes que fueron regularizados y que hoy están cotizando a la Seguridad Social y trabajando”
Our translation with the regularisation of migrants, also recognising rights for people who are contributing to the well-being and prosperity of our country. And note that we already have more than 430,000 migrants who were regularised and who today are paying Social Security contributions and working
Territory and institutions
Catalan amnesty For the amnesty Earlier: Against the amnesty, 2022
Said
The amnesty he proposes for those tried over the Catalan independence push is legal and in line with the Constitution.
“Señorías, la amnistía que planteamos es perfectamente legal, es acorde con la Constitución.”
Our translation Honourable members, the amnesty we propose is perfectly legal, it is in accordance with the Constitution.
Source Discurso de investidura de Pedro Sánchez, Congreso de los Diputados (lamoncloa.gob.es, 15 Nov 2023)
Spain in the world
Defence spending Raise it, below the target
Said
Spain agreed with NATO that the capabilities it owes the Alliance cost 2.1% of GDP, rather than committing to the 5% target.
“De hecho, quiero recordar que cuando se planteó el tema del 5% el año pasado, ya previamente España había acordado con la OTAN qué capacidades teníamos que poner a disposición de la OTAN para hacer frente a esos desafíos y que el coste que implicaban esas capacidades aportar a la Alianza representaban el 2,1% del Producto Interior Bruto.”
Our translation In fact, I want to recall that when the question of 5% was raised last year, Spain had already previously agreed with NATO which capabilities we had to place at NATO's disposal to face those challenges, and that the cost involved in contributing those capabilities to the Alliance represented 2.1% of Gross Domestic Product.
Palestinian state Recognise a Palestinian state
Said
Spain has pushed the international recognition of the State of Palestine and a global alliance for the two-state solution, which he calls the only possible solution.
“Además, España ha impulsado varios procesos políticos clave, como es, por ejemplo, el reconocimiento internacional del Estado de Palestina y la creación de una alianza global para implementar la solución de los dos Estados, que es la única solución posible.”
Our translation In addition, Spain has driven several key political processes, such as, for example, the international recognition of the State of Palestine and the creation of a global alliance to implement the two-state solution, which is the only possible solution.
Arms trade with Israel Embargo arms with Israel
Said
Spain has imposed an arms embargo on the Netanyahu government as part of its opposition to wars against the UN Charter.
“Y hemos hecho todo lo que estaba en nuestras manos para evitar agresiones contrarias a la Carta de las Naciones Unidas sancionando a los agresores rusos, imponiendo un embargo de armas al Gobierno de Netanyahu, en Israel, impidiendo que se use nuestro territorio para desplegar una agresión contraria a la legalidad internacional y condenando sin matices el genocidio que Netanyahu sigue perpetrando en Gaza.”
Our translation And we have done everything in our power to prevent aggressions contrary to the Charter of the United Nations by sanctioning the Russian aggressors, imposing an arms embargo on the Netanyahu Government, in Israel, preventing our territory from being used to deploy an aggression contrary to international law, and condemning without nuance the genocide that Netanyahu continues to perpetrate in Gaza.
1 change of mind on record, 2022–2023
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.
At a glance
first said said otherwise
Each colour is a position; their order does not mean one is better. A colour runs from a statement to the next one, and each statement is a small mark.
Amnesty over the Catalan independence push
Then
Against the amnesty
The amnesty the independence movement asks for is something his government will not accept and that does not fit Spanish law or the Constitution.
“El independentismo lo que pide, y lo saben ustedes y lo saben los telespectadores, es la amnistía. Algo que, desde luego, este gobierno no va a aceptar y que desde luego no entra en la legislación ni en la Constitución Española.”
Our translation What the independence movement asks for, and you know it and the viewers know it, is the amnesty. Something that, certainly, this government is not going to accept and that certainly does not fit within the legislation or the Spanish Constitution.
Source Entrevista presidente del Gobierno "Al Rojo Vivo" (La Sexta) (lamoncloa.gob.es, 10 Nov 2022)
1 year later
Later
For the amnesty
The amnesty he proposes for those tried over the Catalan independence push is legal and in line with the Constitution.
“Señorías, la amnistía que planteamos es perfectamente legal, es acorde con la Constitución.”
Our translation Honourable members, the amnesty we propose is perfectly legal, it is in accordance with the Constitution.
Source Discurso de investidura de Pedro Sánchez, Congreso de los Diputados (lamoncloa.gob.es, 15 Nov 2023)
Context: After the general election of 23 July 2023, Junts and ERC made an amnesty a condition for supporting his investiture; the amnesty law was approved by the Congress on 30 May 2024.