Spanish Defence Minister Set to Address Military Spending in Congress
Urgent interpellation to reveal plans for increased defense expenditure amid political contention.
The Partido Popular (PP) has succeeded in compelling the Spanish government to provide details regarding its plans to increase defense spending, with particular focus on commitments made by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles is scheduled to respond on Wednesday to an urgent interpellation filed by the PP parliamentary group.
The interpellation, which has been made public, is led by Miguel Tellado, the PP spokesperson in Congress, and demands a comprehensive account from Robles concerning 'the new military programming of defense and the new security and defense concept of [Sánchez's] government.' This request follows what PP leaders term a lack of satisfactory answers from Sánchez during a summit held at Moncloa with PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo.
Feijóo commented on Sánchez's performance, describing it as disappointing and indicating that now it falls to Robles to provide the necessary clarifications.
He further articulated concerns regarding what he perceives as a 'democratic anomaly' stemming from the Prime Minister's commitment to allocate tens of billions of euros for defense and security investments without explicit support from the Spanish people through their representatives.
Subsequently, Néstor Rego, spokesperson for the BNG party, confirmed that Sánchez had communicated intentions not to present an increase in military spending to the lower house of Congress.
The Prime Minister noted he does not foresee providing explanations during a planned address before the plenary session scheduled for March 26.
This anticipated debate arises from a request made by the PP three weeks earlier, which insisted that Sánchez account for his defense expenditure plans to Congress ahead of the European Council meeting on March 21. PP sources highlighted the importance of informing and engaging with political groups before committing to such significant decisions.
In response to governmental maneuvers aimed at postponing Sánchez's appearance, the PP has initiated a law proposal that will be debated on Tuesday afternoon.
This proposal aims to force all political factions to express their stance on support for the European Union and the transatlantic link, the commitment to NATO regarding timely defense investment, and ensuring that decisions affecting Spain's position in relation to the Ukraine war, transatlantic relations, and commitments to the Atlantic Alliance are debated and approved by majority in Congress.
The government, however, is not obliged to attend the debate.
Ministers are not required to respond in a Non-Legislative Proposition (PNL), allowing the potential for the government to be absent from the proceedings.
Therefore, the PP is pushing for Defence Minister Robles to clarify points that they believe Sánchez is withholding from the Spanish public.
Despite the PP's ongoing political counteroffensives, Moncloa held a meeting last Thursday, relaying information about upcoming discussions through a simple WhatsApp message, without providing additional details, nor indicating the Prime Minister would seek agreement or support.
Feijóo remarked on the lack of progress made during this encounter, confirming his concerns of what he describes as a drift towards an autocratic governance style in Spain.
Ensuring a parliamentary debate, the PP has structured their inquiries strategically to require government participation before the next summit of heads of state and government in Brussels.
Feijóo is also set to question Sánchez during the control session on Wednesday before urgent interpellations commence.
He is expected to inquire whether Sánchez will disclose the information demanded by the Spanish people.
Similarly, PP member Cuca Gamarra will address questions to María Jesús Montero while Carmen Fúnez will also urge Defence Minister Robles to respond.
The PP has consistently stated its support for Spain's commitments to NATO and the EU but emphasizes that such support hinges on further clarification regarding military spending prior to determining their stance on protecting democratic state interests and the conditions they may impose on Sánchez, should he solicit their backing.
Feijóo has criticized the Prime Minister's refusal to submit a decision that transcends his government to the legislative process and has expressed concerns that the government is concealing its intentions, cautioning that any financial maneuvering to bypass national sovereignty, which resides in the Cortes, constitutes a legal fraud.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles is scheduled to respond on Wednesday to an urgent interpellation filed by the PP parliamentary group.
The interpellation, which has been made public, is led by Miguel Tellado, the PP spokesperson in Congress, and demands a comprehensive account from Robles concerning 'the new military programming of defense and the new security and defense concept of [Sánchez's] government.' This request follows what PP leaders term a lack of satisfactory answers from Sánchez during a summit held at Moncloa with PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo.
Feijóo commented on Sánchez's performance, describing it as disappointing and indicating that now it falls to Robles to provide the necessary clarifications.
He further articulated concerns regarding what he perceives as a 'democratic anomaly' stemming from the Prime Minister's commitment to allocate tens of billions of euros for defense and security investments without explicit support from the Spanish people through their representatives.
Subsequently, Néstor Rego, spokesperson for the BNG party, confirmed that Sánchez had communicated intentions not to present an increase in military spending to the lower house of Congress.
The Prime Minister noted he does not foresee providing explanations during a planned address before the plenary session scheduled for March 26.
This anticipated debate arises from a request made by the PP three weeks earlier, which insisted that Sánchez account for his defense expenditure plans to Congress ahead of the European Council meeting on March 21. PP sources highlighted the importance of informing and engaging with political groups before committing to such significant decisions.
In response to governmental maneuvers aimed at postponing Sánchez's appearance, the PP has initiated a law proposal that will be debated on Tuesday afternoon.
This proposal aims to force all political factions to express their stance on support for the European Union and the transatlantic link, the commitment to NATO regarding timely defense investment, and ensuring that decisions affecting Spain's position in relation to the Ukraine war, transatlantic relations, and commitments to the Atlantic Alliance are debated and approved by majority in Congress.
The government, however, is not obliged to attend the debate.
Ministers are not required to respond in a Non-Legislative Proposition (PNL), allowing the potential for the government to be absent from the proceedings.
Therefore, the PP is pushing for Defence Minister Robles to clarify points that they believe Sánchez is withholding from the Spanish public.
Despite the PP's ongoing political counteroffensives, Moncloa held a meeting last Thursday, relaying information about upcoming discussions through a simple WhatsApp message, without providing additional details, nor indicating the Prime Minister would seek agreement or support.
Feijóo remarked on the lack of progress made during this encounter, confirming his concerns of what he describes as a drift towards an autocratic governance style in Spain.
Ensuring a parliamentary debate, the PP has structured their inquiries strategically to require government participation before the next summit of heads of state and government in Brussels.
Feijóo is also set to question Sánchez during the control session on Wednesday before urgent interpellations commence.
He is expected to inquire whether Sánchez will disclose the information demanded by the Spanish people.
Similarly, PP member Cuca Gamarra will address questions to María Jesús Montero while Carmen Fúnez will also urge Defence Minister Robles to respond.
The PP has consistently stated its support for Spain's commitments to NATO and the EU but emphasizes that such support hinges on further clarification regarding military spending prior to determining their stance on protecting democratic state interests and the conditions they may impose on Sánchez, should he solicit their backing.
Feijóo has criticized the Prime Minister's refusal to submit a decision that transcends his government to the legislative process and has expressed concerns that the government is concealing its intentions, cautioning that any financial maneuvering to bypass national sovereignty, which resides in the Cortes, constitutes a legal fraud.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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