Spain Reflects on 40 Years in the EU: Growth, Unity, and Calls for Bold Reform
On Spain's 40th EU anniversary, leaders reflect on economic growth and call for stronger EU unity and bold reforms amid geopolitical challenges.
- • Spain's GDP has more than doubled in 40 years within the EU, with exports rising twelvefold.
- • King Felipe VI advocates for EU strategic autonomy and warns against outdated geopolitical views.
- • Yolanda Díaz highlights social reforms and warns against international paleoimperialism impacting labor rights.
- • Both leaders emphasize European unity as crucial to Spain's progress and future challenges.
Key details
Spain marks four decades since its EU accession with significant socio-economic advancements and an urgent call for European unity and reform. King Felipe VI highlighted that Spain's real GDP has more than doubled since joining the EU, with global exports growing twelvefold and over €150 billion received in cohesion funds. He emphasized the EU's role in securing freedom, prosperity, and strength for Spain, warning against outdated geopolitical strategies and underscoring the need for a strong European defense and strategic autonomy within NATO.
Meanwhile, Second Vice President Yolanda Díaz praised the progressive government's social reforms, including labor improvements and reducing working hours, framing these efforts as critical to advancing democracy, well-being, and ecological transition in Spain. Díaz warned of "paleoimperialism," criticizing figures like Donald Trump for undermining labor rights through technology and AI, and emphasized the necessity for collective progressive action to ensure social transformation.
Both leaders conveyed that Spain's transformation is deeply tied to European unity and the continent's political direction amid geopolitical threats. The King also paid tribute to recent victims of terrorism and a tragic train accident, linking the nation's stability to its EU membership. Díaz added that Spain's political agenda transcends elections, aiming to change lives and set the course of humanity's future.
As Spain celebrates its EU journey, the messages converge on the importance of bold policies and solidarity to meet current challenges and safeguard shared values.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
