Spain took over the Presidency of the EU from Sweden on 1 July 2023. This is the fifth time Spain is assuming the rotating Presidency of the Council after January-June 1989, July-December 1995, January-June 2002 and January-June 2010. The Spanish EU Presidency which will last until 31 December 2023 also launches the 18-month programme of the 12^th Trio Presidency consisting of Spain, Belgium and Hungary.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared the priorities of the Spanish EU Presidency on 15 June 2022 during a presentation which was attended by the ambassadors of the EU Member States. The priorities presented by Spain emphasize the necessity of strengthening both the cohesion among the Member States and the strategic autonomy of the Union.

The Main Priorities Set Out by the Spanish EU Presidency

The priorities identified by Spanish EU Presidency are as follows:

- Reindustrialize the EU and ensure its open strategic autonomy

- Advance in the green transition and the environmental adaptation

- Promoting greater social and economic justice

- Strengthening European unity

Spain’s priorities highlight the importance of the strategic autonomy of the Union which has come to the fore, especially with the onset of the war in Ukraine. While aiming for this, not ignoring the vital need of pursuing objectives of green transition and achieving a higher level of social justice is also stated as a must.

Spain is taking the lead in a critical period when war in Europe continues, global multilateralism loses ground and geopolitical uncertainties arise. Spain previously experienced its presidencies in 1995, the year the Schengen Area was first established, 2002, the year the "Euro" first came into use, and 2010, just after the Treaty of Lisbon came into force.

The upcoming general elections in Spain which will be held on 23 July 2023 are dominating the political arena and conversations in Spain right now. This election agenda has created some worries regarding the success of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU because of the disruption it causes. Moreover, what will be the state of the priorities set by the current government in case of a government change after the elections stands as a key concern despite the statements coming from Spanish government officers including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Besides, as global geopolitical challenges remain solid, inner disagreements among the Member States on some crucial issues like the New Pact on Migration and Asylum are also obstacles to Spain’s successful completion of its term.

Further information on the programme and the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU is available here.