MADRID – Blocking of the France–Spain treaty creates tension during Macron’s visit

MADRID, September 30 /ATSH-DPA/ – The Spanish Senate has refused to approve a friendship treaty with France, creating an awkward situation during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Spain.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez apologized to Macron today.

Just hours after the French president’s arrival, the conservative opposition used its majority in the Senate to block the final approval of the agreement.

The treaty was signed by Macron and Sánchez in January 2023, but in Spain it had met with opposition.

The conservative Spanish People’s Party (PP) had taken the matter to the Constitutional Court, challenging a part of the agreement that allows French ministers to take part in Spanish government meetings.

The Constitutional Court ruled last week, unanimously, that this part of the agreement does not conflict with the Spanish Constitution.

Nevertheless, after the Senate vote, Sánchez said: “I can only publicly apologize for this negative vote.”

He added that he believes the treaty will be approved by the end of the year.

The People’s Party, led by opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, voted against the agreement in the Senate, despite the Constitutional Court’s decision.

The other chamber of the Spanish Parliament, the Congress of Deputies, approved the agreement several months ago, although People’s Party deputies had voted against it.

Macron arrived in Spain yesterday for a two-day state visit and was received with full military honors by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.

This is the first state visit by a French president to Spain since 2009.