Pedro Sanchez has highlighted a series of new laws and measures approved this week, saying they show why his government intends to continue in office despite mounting political pressure.
Posting on social media, the prime minister wrote: ‘The question is not whether we should continue. The question is how could we not?’, before listing what he described as another week of policies aimed at improving people’s lives.
Here are the five key measures he pointed to.
1. €6.2 billion boost for Spain’s care system
The government has announced what Sanchez described as the largest investment in Spain’s dependency care system since democracy returned to the country.
The package will inject €6.2 billion over the next two years, increasing funding for regional governments and raising the state’s contribution to long-term care to 50% by 2027.
The money is intended to improve support for elderly people and those living with disabilities who rely on Spain’s dependency system.
2. More support for families with seriously ill children
The government is expanding financial support for parents who need to care for children with serious illnesses.
The reform will also update the official list of illnesses covered by the benefit, allowing more families to qualify for assistance while caring for children requiring long-term medical treatment.
3. Prison sentences for conversion therapy
Spain has taken another step towards outlawing so-called conversion therapies aimed at changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Under the reform approved by Congress this week, those carrying out such practices could face up to two years in prison.
The measure passed with support from most parliamentary groups. The Partido Popular abstained, while Vox voted against.
4. Newborn screening to become standard nationwide
Congress has also backed legislation designed to standardise newborn health screening across Spain.
The proposal aims to ensure babies receive the same early screening tests regardless of which autonomous community they are born in, helping identify rare diseases and serious conditions sooner.
5. Cheap travel returns with Verano Joven
Lawmakers have approved the latest edition of Verano Joven, the popular youth travel scheme.
The programme offers heavily discounted rail and coach tickets for young people travelling around Spain during the summer, with the government arguing it makes travel more affordable while encouraging domestic tourism.
The post comes as Sanchez continues to face intense political pressure over corruption investigations involving former members of his Socialist Party.
The PM has repeatedly argued that his government’s legislative record on welfare, healthcare and social rights justifies remaining in office, insisting that reforms such as those approved this week demonstrate continued progress despite the political turmoil.
