The Economist calls on "scandal-plagued Sánchez" to resign

The British publication urges Sánchez to take advantage of his vacation to reflect on how to allow Spain's democracy to renew itself.

The prestigious British magazine The Economist has published a resounding editorial in which it argues that Spanish President Pedro Sánchez , "plagued by scandals, should resign." In its opinion, Sánchez "needs to let democracy renew itself."

The economic publication acknowledges the good performance of the Spanish economy since 2022, which "has far exceeded that of the eurozone as a whole." It also reflects the positive unemployment figures, which, it says, "although still above 10%, are at their lowest level since 2008" despite the "sharp increase in the minimum wage" since Pedro Sánchez, a Socialist, took office as prime minister in 2018.

Regarding his time in government, he highlights the fact that "a useful labor reform was approved," as well as the fact that "he has strengthened the welfare state, welcomed immigrants , and taken the European initiative in recognizing a Palestinian state."

He analyzes that Sánchez's supporters recognize him as "the last bastion of social democracy against the far right."

And that "despite leading a minority government, Sánchez has kept the country afloat. Until now ," they point out.

The Economist believes the president "emerged weakened" from the last early elections and that he " clinged to the Moncloa Palace" with a "diverse group of allies —the far left, as well as Catalan and Basque nationalists."

The publication believes that his support is becoming increasingly " unstable " and is forcing him to pay "a price."

However, he cites "corruption" as the reason Sánchez should step back . He cites the trial of José Luis Ábalos and Santos Cerdán "for accepting bribes in public contracts" and the references to prostitution in the audio recordings.

The publication says that "polls show that Spaniards are more disillusioned with their politicians than any other European , apart from Bulgarians, Greeks, and Slovenians." And that apologies "for the transgressions of their advisors" are not enough.

The Economist believes that "to restore faith in Spanish democracy, the Prime Minister should take responsibility and resign. There is no valid reason for him to remain in office. "Now it is Sánchez's allies, not his party, who set the agenda. He is increasingly vulnerable to their political blackmail," it asserts.

The editorial singles out the Amnesty Law as the only significant piece of legislation passed and calls on the president to either leave his party post to another veteran or call early elections "which he would likely lose." Therefore, it asks the Prime Minister to "take advantage of his summer vacation to reflect on the interests of his party and his country, and act accordingly."