Pedro Sánchez Marks 40 Days Without Press Conferences Amidst Ongoing National Controversies
The Spanish Prime Minister has not interacted with domestic media for over 11 months, coinciding with several political turmoil events.
Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, has reached 40 days without offering any press conferences and has not granted interviews to Spanish media for over 11 months.
His last media interview occurred on July 1, 2024, during a program on Cadena Ser.
He has also not attended a government accountability session in the Senate in nearly 15 months, with his last appearance being on March 12, 2024.
The last press conference led by Sánchez was on April 29, 2024, following a nationwide blackout that left the country without electricity for approximately 12 hours.
Since then, Sánchez has refrained from engaging with journalists, which is notable amidst several political scandals.
Recent controversies include significant train service disruptions, the leaking of WhatsApp messages between Sánchez and his former minister José Luis Ábalos, and a court ruling involving Sanchez's brother.
Additionally, discussions have arisen surrounding the Constitutional Court’s endorsement of amnesty legislation, allegations involving false claims about a potential bombing plot against Sánchez by government officials, and the activities of Leire Díez, a minister involved in attempts to undermine inquiries into alleged PSOE corruption.
Contrary to typical practice, Sánchez did not address the press on May 28, 2024, after a meeting in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Instead, he delivered a declaration without taking questions following a meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob the next day.
More than 11 months have passed since Sánchez participated in any interviews with Spanish media.
Although he expressed gratitude for the support of coalition partners ERC and Junts during his last domestic interview, he has since only spoken to international media.
On January 22, 2024, Sánchez granted interviews to both Bloomberg and CNBC after his participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he proposed new measures to regulate social media.
During this period of silence in Spain, international media has reported on the political controversies affecting the country.
Notably, a British newspaper attributed the blackout to a failed government experiment concerning renewable energy reliance, a claim the government dismissed as unrealistic.
In further coverage, a different publication reported on alleged false accusations made by three of Sánchez's ministers against a former police officer regarding a purported bombing plot.
Sánchez's absence from domestic discussions has continued as he traveled abroad to places like Albania, Iraq for the Arab League plenary, and Turkey, where he held talks with President Erdoğan.
He also called for Israel to be expelled from the Eurovision contest during a meeting with artists without allowing journalists to pose questions.
On May 26, the same day a scandal involving minister Leire Díez unfolded, Sánchez was at an optics organization event to announce a government subsidy for children's glasses.
This silence has drawn increased attention as various political issues remain unresolved.
Most recently, Sánchez attempted to regain public engagement by introducing a €7 billion investment plan for public housing during a regional leaders' conference in Barcelona, which concluded without agreements, as opposition leaders from the People's Party demanded early elections.
This did not facilitate any opportunity for Sánchez to address the ongoing scandals or respond to journalists' inquiries.
His last media interview occurred on July 1, 2024, during a program on Cadena Ser.
He has also not attended a government accountability session in the Senate in nearly 15 months, with his last appearance being on March 12, 2024.
The last press conference led by Sánchez was on April 29, 2024, following a nationwide blackout that left the country without electricity for approximately 12 hours.
Since then, Sánchez has refrained from engaging with journalists, which is notable amidst several political scandals.
Recent controversies include significant train service disruptions, the leaking of WhatsApp messages between Sánchez and his former minister José Luis Ábalos, and a court ruling involving Sanchez's brother.
Additionally, discussions have arisen surrounding the Constitutional Court’s endorsement of amnesty legislation, allegations involving false claims about a potential bombing plot against Sánchez by government officials, and the activities of Leire Díez, a minister involved in attempts to undermine inquiries into alleged PSOE corruption.
Contrary to typical practice, Sánchez did not address the press on May 28, 2024, after a meeting in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Instead, he delivered a declaration without taking questions following a meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob the next day.
More than 11 months have passed since Sánchez participated in any interviews with Spanish media.
Although he expressed gratitude for the support of coalition partners ERC and Junts during his last domestic interview, he has since only spoken to international media.
On January 22, 2024, Sánchez granted interviews to both Bloomberg and CNBC after his participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he proposed new measures to regulate social media.
During this period of silence in Spain, international media has reported on the political controversies affecting the country.
Notably, a British newspaper attributed the blackout to a failed government experiment concerning renewable energy reliance, a claim the government dismissed as unrealistic.
In further coverage, a different publication reported on alleged false accusations made by three of Sánchez's ministers against a former police officer regarding a purported bombing plot.
Sánchez's absence from domestic discussions has continued as he traveled abroad to places like Albania, Iraq for the Arab League plenary, and Turkey, where he held talks with President Erdoğan.
He also called for Israel to be expelled from the Eurovision contest during a meeting with artists without allowing journalists to pose questions.
On May 26, the same day a scandal involving minister Leire Díez unfolded, Sánchez was at an optics organization event to announce a government subsidy for children's glasses.
This silence has drawn increased attention as various political issues remain unresolved.
Most recently, Sánchez attempted to regain public engagement by introducing a €7 billion investment plan for public housing during a regional leaders' conference in Barcelona, which concluded without agreements, as opposition leaders from the People's Party demanded early elections.
This did not facilitate any opportunity for Sánchez to address the ongoing scandals or respond to journalists' inquiries.
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