Facing the most difficult stretch of his political term, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appeared on national TV to defend his government’s performance on all fronts.
The Socialist leader, more accustomed to speaking to international outlets, gave his last interview with Spanish media over a year ago, on the radio network Cadena Ser. As corruption cases linked to his inner circle multiply, his public appearances have become increasingly rare, according to conservative media.
Sánchez opened the political calendar on Monday by urging Spain’s political class “to act” and back a state pact against climate change. His call followed the worst wildfire season in Spain’s recent history, with over 400,000 hectares reportedly ravaged by wildfires in recent weeks.
At the outset of the interview, Sánchez defended his handling of the crisis, insisting that Spain was very “well-prepared” to respond. “We have seen this with the deployment of thousands of personnel, who are ready to act,” he said.
The opposition’s criticism, he argued, reflects nothing more than a “lack of institutional loyalty.”
When pressed on what critics described as the government’s “inefficient and slow” response to the fires, Sánchez countered that “the climate crisis is exceeding all scientific predictions to date” and accused Spain’s conservative opposition of climate change denial.
Responding to questions about a June bombshell police report alleging a multi-million-euro corruption scheme involving rigged public tenders and influence peddling linked to Sánchez’s party, his inner circle, and possibly himself, the premier stated “he had never tolerated” any case of corruption as secretary general of the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE).
“But there is no final ruling,” he added, on any of the corruption scandals engulfing his office. “Systematic corruption ended with the motion of no confidence in 2018.”
The thorniest moment of the interview came when Sánchez was asked about the indictment of his wife and brother on charges including influence peddling. The Socialist leader quickly deflected.
“There are judges engaging in politics and politicians administering justice,” he said, defending the innocence of his relatives, both currently indicted.
Sánchez also backed the state attorney general, herself under investigation, whose decision to remain in office has sparked uproar among Spanish judges and magistrates.
Despite mounting pressure, Sánchez reiterated that neither resignation nor early elections are under consideration, as he seeks to keep his fragile coalition afloat until the 2027 elections.
(aw)
