In a recent communication, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presented an eight-page document to Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, detailing his vision for boosting European competitiveness. Sánchez emphasizes that this approach stands in contrast to the perspectives of several major European powers that advocate for retrenching on decarbonization initiatives and social rights. He firmly argues that competitiveness should not come at the expense of Spain's social model, stating that while the economy must be competitive, it should not result in the erosion of social protections and labor rights that define the Spanish economic model.

Sánchez’s proposal is structured around ten key points, with the first advocating for simplification of regulations. However, he stresses that this should not be achieved through deregulation, but rather by enhancing the integrity of existing frameworks to ensure that labor and social protections remain robust. He is determined to clarify that the effort to increase competitiveness must not lead to a rollback of hard-won labor rights or a retreat from ambitious decarbonization targets, which he views as essential for sustainable economic growth.

This stance reflects a broader debate within Europe about how to balance economic growth with social welfare and environmental responsibility. Sánchez’s position signifies Spain’s commitment to maintaining its social model while still engaging with the competitiveness agenda in Europe, thereby setting the stage for ongoing discussions about the future of labor rights and environmental policies among EU member states.