MADRID – As a candidate for the premiership of Spain’s new government, Pedro Sánchez has made several commitments regarding issues his coalition government will address.
The acting president of the government and leader of the PSOE, Pedro Sánchez, outlined on Wednesday the eight main obligations of his coalition for the upcoming government term during his first speech in the investiture debate. Sánchez defended this coalition government as the ‘only wall’ against the far-right in Spain. These are the eight commitments.
1. Ensure more and better Jobs
A new Workers’ Statute, legally guaranteeing that the interprofessional minimum wage continues to rise each year to remain at 60% of the average wage.
Reduce the working week to 37.5 hours, and provide incentives for companies to offer more flexible working hours and promote teleworking wherever possible.
2. Increase in purchasing power
Extension of the VAT reduction on food until June 2024.
Raising the median income threshold from the current €30,000 to €38,000, so that more families can benefit from the existing mortgage relief measure.
Free public transportation for all minors, youths, and unemployed individuals starting January 1st.
3. Strengthening the welfare state
Implementation, in collaboration with autonomous governments that wish to participate, of a plan to drastically reduce waiting lists.
Strengthening primary care, expanding the portfolio of public services to include dental and ophthalmological treatments for youth.
A National Pact for Mental Health that will increase the number of psychologists and psychiatrists in public centres and shorten waiting times.
Improvement of conditions and training for teachers, expansion of dining assistance and the availability of extracurricular educational activities, increasing the number of scholarships and lowering tuition fees.
Increase in funding for research centres, promotion of public-private collaboration in R&D, and improvement of working conditions for scientists.
Approval of a Law on Cultural Rights, ensuring access to culture for all people and territories, increased aid for creators, and maintenance of the Young Cultural Bonus.
Revaluation of pensions in line with CPI and increase in resources allocated to dependency. Annual injection of €5 billion into the reserve fund.
Strengthening of the Minimum Living Income, simplifying access requirements. Simplification of administrative procedures.
New model of personal attention for citizens, with flexible hours and no mandatory appointment. Legally set a maximum of 30 days for the receipt of benefits, such as dependency support.
4. Promoting the ecological transition
Promotion of renewable energy deployment, re-establishment of the National Energy Commission, and efforts to combat drought.
5. Ensuring Spain remains a global benchmark in equality
Plans to promote gender equality, combat violence against women, and ensure equal opportunities in education, reflecting Spain’s ambition to lead in social equality. The government also plans to act against sexual abuse of minors, especially within the Church.
6. Reducing regional disparities
The promise to assume the debts of autonomous regions is a significant step in strengthening territorial cohesion and reducing economic inequalities between different parts of the country.
7. Advancing the Reunion Agenda
Amnesty for participants in the Catalan independence process is a controversial but potentially reconciling step towards national unity.
8. Europe
Sánchez’s vision of Spain as a leading force in Europe underscores his desire to strengthen the country’s role on the international stage.
Also read: Update on Pedro Sánchez’s investiture and commotion surrounding the amnesty law
