The president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, accused the Government of Pedro Sánchez this Thursday of having turned Spain into a "problem" for the European Union and of having eroded its credibility among community partners, while promising that, if he reaches La Moncloa after the general elections on November 29, he will restore the confidence of European institutions.
Feijóo made these statements in Brussels, after participating in the meeting of leaders of the European People's Party (EPP) prior to the European Council held this Thursday and Friday, in an appearance in which he also expressed his support for the former governor of the Bank of Spain, Pablo Hernández de Cos, as a candidate to succeed Christine Lagarde at the head of the European Central Bank (ECB).
Feijóo promises a shift in foreign policy
“Spain will once again be a predictable country, a solid country and a country to trust,” assured the popular leader, who defended that a political change in Spain would be positive both for the country and for the entire community bloc, and stressed that he has the support of the EPP leaders.
In his speech, the president of the PP reproached Pedro Sánchez for having used foreign policy to sustain his “domestic partisan objectives” and maintain his coalition government, a strategy that, in his opinion, has harmed Spain's international position and weakened its traditional alliances.
“Spain must once again occupy the international position that corresponds to it,” Feijóo claimed, advocating for rebuilding “broken consensuses,” strengthening weakened alliances, and redirecting international relations with “seriousness, coherence, and a sense of state.”
The opposition leader also stated that he has witnessed the “deterioration of Spain's image in European institutions” between 2022 and 2026, and maintained that a potential PP government would allow the country to regain its international reputation and actively participate in community decisions again.
“Today Spain does not participate in decisions, it has destroyed its alliances and, therefore, is not respected. In other words, in foreign policy it is convenient not to confuse importance with extravagance. And Spanish foreign policy has become an extravagance,” he lamented.
Coincidence with Brussels on key issues
Faced with this situation, Feijóo guaranteed that, if he wins the next elections, Spain will once again coincide with its European partners on issues he has described as fundamental, such as immigration, security, border defense, economic competitiveness and energy policy, in addition to strengthening its commitment to the Rule of Law.
“We are going to agree with the European Union on basic issues,” insisted the popular leader, who also defended a foreign policy backed by the Cortes Generales and based on a diplomacy capable of “participating in decisions, building alliances and being respected.”
In this context, Feijóo reiterated his commitment to Ukraine against the Russian invasion and assured that his foreign policy will be aligned “with European partners and Spain's historical allies.”
Support for Pablo Hernández de Cos to succeed Lagarde
In parallel, the president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has expressed his support for the former governor of the Bank of Spain, Pablo Hernández de Cos, as a candidate to preside over the European Central Bank (ECB), thus coinciding with the position already expressed by the Executive of Pedro Sánchez, which has also backed the Spanish economist for that position.
“I not only propose a Spanish candidate, I propose a president who is capable of guaranteeing the solvency and viability of the euro. And, in my opinion, Pablo Hernández de Cos is the right person,” he affirmed in statements to the media in Brussels, after participating in the meeting of EPP leaders prior to the European Council.
Feijóo defended that, after the “good performance” of Christine Lagarde at the head of the ECB, Europe needs a “solvent” replacement, with “experience” and the profile of a “reputable economist,” in addition to the “temperance” necessary to face a “very difficult” moment for the European economy and for the management of the monetary institution, qualities that, he said, the Spanish candidate possesses.
“I have not seen a better resume than this one,” assured the PP leader, who highlighted the trajectory of Pablo Hernández de Cos at the head of the Bank of Spain and his time at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), an entity he currently directs, which is why he considers him to be a “very good candidate” not only for Spain, but also for Europe as a whole.
The support of Alberto Núñez Feijóo coincides with that previously expressed by the Government of Pedro Sánchez, which has also placed Pablo Hernández de Cos among the best-prepared profiles to succeed Christine Lagarde when her mandate concludes in October 2027, although the final decision will depend on negotiations between European governments.
