The President of the Government of Spain affirms that the strength of the Government lies in economic growth and job creation

Lower House of Parliament, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during one of his speeches at the Government control session held in the Lower House of Parliament (Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo)

During his intervention in the Government control session held in the Lower House of Parliament, Pedro Sánchez told the deputy of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, that he prefers "extended budgets to budgets that are under the tutelage of the far-right".

Pedro Sánchez argued that it is possible to continue governing with the current public accounts, which represent 29% more spending on health, 70% more on scholarships, and 120% more on dependency than those of previous governments. He also stressed that GDP has grown by 3.2% and that Spain is currently creating 30% of the new jobs generated in Europe. "That is the strength of a government," he remarked.

The president also maintained that the Executive complies with the Constitution and "is working with the parliamentary groups to present a General State Budget, if not this year, then next year", adding that "this is our duty and this is our responsibility, and we will do it,".

Pedro Sánchez also claimed the support of the legislative chamber in his work as chief executive: "I have been elected President of the Government with parliamentary support similar to that of Zapatero, and much greater than that of other Presidents of the Government".

Restoring stability and understanding in Catalonia

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during one of his speeches at the Government control session held in the Lower House of Parliament | Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo

With regard to the political situation in Catalonia, an issue raised by Míriam Nogueras, a member of the Junts per Catalunya parliamentary group, Pedro Sánchez highlighted its stability and normality, and the fact that it focuses on the major concerns of citizens, such as health, housing, the economy, industry, employment and the international projection of Catalonia, "which is also so important for Spain".

The president recalled the positive evolution of foreign direct investment in Catalonia over the last two years, and the return to this autonomous community of companies that left in 2017. He also referred to the Government's record investment in commuter trains in 2024, in excess of €600 million, as part of the Executive's commitment to local transport and sustainable mobility.

"All of this is positive for the citizens of Catalonia as a whole, who want to talk about the issues that affect their daily lives, which is what the Government of Spain and the Generalitat are working on," he said.

The chief executive also valued the Generalitat's willingness to understand, dialogue and meet. "There is one thing I like a lot about what the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, is doing, and that is coming to Madrid, going to other territories in Spain and saying "don't be afraid of Catalonia, Catalonia is here to lend a hand", said Pedro Sánchez in his reply.

We deliver for asbestos victims

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his speech at the Government control session | Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo

The chief executive also announced that the regulation that develops the compensation fund for asbestos victims will be approved before the end of the first half of the year.

In response to a question on this issue posed by EH Bildu MP Mertxe Aizpurua, the president assured that "the Government is going to comply with the victims of asbestos and will be on the side of the victims".

The compensation fund for asbestos victims was approved by law at the end of 2022 and, as the president explained, its regulatory development is complex: "It is important that it works smoothly and that compensations are deployed with all the guarantees".

Furthermore, the development requires the collaboration of both the regional health systems, with whom the government has maintained a "fluid relationship", and those affected, who have also been involved in the process.

"We have held several meetings, the last just 10 days ago, and I hope that before the end of this first half of the year we can have the regulations approved, which will allow the fund to attend to those affected first, for whom there is a budget of €25 million," said Pedro Sánchez.

Non official translation