Spanish PM Sánchez Advocates for Ambitious EU Budgets and Unified Action for a Stronger Europe

Sánchez Calls for Influential Europe at Brussels Summit

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently called on European Union leaders to embrace more ambitious budgets and collective solutions to forge a stronger, more influential Europe. Speaking at a European Council meeting in Brussels around December 18-20, 2025, Sánchez underscored the necessity of unity, political coherence, and decisive action in an increasingly unstable global landscape. He stated that 'Europe must think bigger if it wants to shape its own future' and that the EU 'can no longer afford half-measures'.

Boosting EU Finances and Collective Action

At the core of Spain's position was a push for significantly more ambitious European budgets. Sánchez backed proposals for EU spending to reach 2% of member states' combined GDP in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), covering the years 2028 to 2034. He argued that stronger EU finances are practical tools that directly impact citizens' lives, enabling Europe to:

• Develop shared public goods
• Accelerate innovation
• Strengthen social and territorial cohesion
• Reinforce the EU's social pillar, including housing policy

A central issue discussed was support for Ukraine. Sánchez confirmed an agreement among the 27 member states on an urgent €90 billion loan package for Kyiv over the next two years. This funding is to be raised through joint EU debt and guaranteed by the EU budget, signaling a continued move towards shared financial responsibility during crises. He also highlighted a recent decision to permanently immobilize Russian state assets, which could form the basis of future reparations.

Enhancing Europe's Global Stature and Strategic Autonomy

Sánchez advocated for a more assertive European role on the world stage. Regarding the Middle East, he called for a more active EU presence in sustaining peace, condemning the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, and urging faster, larger-scale delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the involvement of the Palestinian Authority in any political process.

The Spanish Prime Minister also addressed concerns about digital sovereignty, warning against the unchecked power of 'tech oligarchs'. He urged the EU to utilize its regulatory authority to hold platforms accountable and protect democratic spaces for public debate. Earlier in March 2025, Sánchez had also called for direct EU subsidies for defense spending, particularly for Baltic and Nordic nations, and more flexible fiscal rules to accommodate defense investments, reaffirming Spain's commitment to reaching NATO's 2% GDP defense spending target by 2029.

Defending Key European Initiatives and Future Vision

Sánchez pushed back against attempts to dilute the European Green Deal, asserting its role as a cornerstone of Europe's competitiveness rather than a burden. He emphasized that climate leadership and economic strength are increasingly inseparable. Additionally, Spain successfully placed regional priorities on the agenda, including renewed momentum for a New Pact for the Mediterranean and plans for an Atlantic Macro-Region Strategy, aiming to improve infrastructure, connectivity, and investment across Europe's Atlantic coastline.

Sánchez's interventions reflect a consistent message from Spain: a desire for a more assertive, better-funded European Union capable of acting strategically on the world stage. As debates over the EU's next long-term budget intensify, Madrid is positioning itself firmly among those arguing that Europe's ambitions must be matched by its resources to ensure its future influence and security.