Spain’s Sánchez Opposes EU’s Deregulation Drive
Poinews.com – Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has voiced opposition to the European Union’s deregulation initiatives, which are spearheaded by Germany and Italy and supported by the European Commission. During a virtual address at an event hosted by his Socialist allies in the European Parliament, Sánchez challenged the narrative that deregulation is essential for economic competitiveness. “Some will say that to compete, you must deregulate. Those who say that are often the very same people who led the world into the financial crisis with that same regime,” he argued.
“This is not about having more or fewer laws or rules. This is about having good rules and good laws,” Sánchez emphasized during the session.
Event Highlights and Key Figures
The gathering, titled the Dialogue on a Progressive European Future, brought together Socialist lawmakers and intellectuals to discuss the party’s policy direction. It featured contributions from Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera, President of the European Committee of the Regions Kata Tüttő, and US Senator Bernie Sanders. Sánchez’s intervention was particularly notable, drawing strong support from the assembled group.
His comments placed him in conflict with the EU’s current drive to enhance competitiveness through streamlined regulations. Over the past two years, the Commission has introduced a series of ten “omnibus” legislative proposals aimed at simplifying rules across various sectors. The goal is to cut administrative costs for businesses, with claims of a €15 billion reduction already achieved and a target of €37.5 billion by 2029.
Critics argue that this approach has weakened environmental and social protections, especially following the 2025 approval of a corporate sustainability reporting package. Despite these concerns, Germany, Italy, and the Nordic nations have actively endorsed the strategy, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocating for a policy known as “one in, two out.” This principle asserts that for every new regulation adopted at the EU level, two existing ones should be eliminated.
Balance Between Growth and Social Welfare
Sánchez stressed the importance of maintaining social safeguards while promoting economic growth. “European rules must encourage competitiveness without neglecting social protection,” he stated. He claimed Spain is demonstrating that it’s possible to stimulate growth while reducing inequality and leading the green transition without compromising economic strength.
The event also showcased a proposed “strategic turn” for Europe, emphasizing six key priorities: affordable housing, accessible high-quality food, secure employment, renewable energy, a unified defense system, and greater oversight for major tech companies. This initiative comes as the EU appears to shift toward more conservative policies, with progressive leaders like Sánchez, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, and Malta’s Robert Abela navigating coalition governments or narrow majorities to uphold leftist agendas.
