The Spanish Congress is scheduled to hold a debate next week concerning an increase in military spending, a commitment made by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during recent informal summits in Paris, Kyiv, and London, as well as two extraordinary European Councils.

This discussion has been prompted not by an advance statement from Sánchez, who planned to address Congress following the upcoming European Council on March 21, but rather by an initiative from the opposition party, the Popular Party (PP).

Led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the PP has registered a non-legislative proposal (PNL) that will be brought to the plenary session before the European Council meeting.

The proposal requires all political groups to take a clear position on Spain's commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity and full sovereignty.

The PP aims to compel Sánchez to present his government’s position publicly, as they argue that he currently cannot speak for the government and must do so solely as the leader of the Socialist Party (PSOE), given apparent divisions within his cabinet.

The opposition party expressed concerns over the lack of detailed information provided to them ahead of a meeting between Sánchez and Feijóo at the Moncloa Palace, which was described as informal and unsatisfactory, especially given the critical geopolitical challenges at play.

According to Ester Muñoz, deputy spokesperson for the PP in Congress, the meeting will lack a formal agenda and adequate documentation, demanding a more substantial dialogue on the situation in Europe and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The PNL will force a discussion and a vote on various points related to the European Union and Ukraine's involvement in negotiations to end the conflict with Russia.

Furthermore, it addresses the support for the EU and defense of the transatlantic link, emphasizing commitment to NATO and the urgency of defense spending.

A significant aspect of the PNL states that any decisions affecting Spain's position in relation to the war in Ukraine, the transatlantic bond, or commitments to NATO should be debated and approved by a majority in the Congress of Deputies.

This aspect, according to Muñoz, obliges Sánchez to ensure that every position he presents at the European Council is backed by the stance adopted by the Spanish Parliament.

In the wake of this political maneuvering, the PP criticized Sánchez's administration for failing to provide supplementary information for the forthcoming meeting, which was purportedly conveyed through a brief WhatsApp message.

According to PP sources, the message from Diego Rubio, Sánchez’s chief of staff, merely listed past meetings and generic topics without offering any substantial insights.

The lack of detailed communication from Moncloa has sparked discontent within the PP, particularly concerning significant issues such as defense spending, military assistance to Ukraine, and potential deployments of Spanish soldiers.

They assert that effective governance and opposition interaction must be underpinned by respect and comprehensive communication from the government.