Sánchez touts economic gains, faces corruption and climate pact rejection

Spain's unemployment fell to 9.87%, the lowest since 2008, with a record 22.8 million employed, Pedro Sánchez announced in his end-of-course address. The prime minister highlighted the economy as an "extraordinary success" Source: La Vanguardia, but the positive data was overshadowed by a raft of corruption scandals and political gridlock.

Economic claims vs. reality

Sánchez credited his government for lowering unemployment and boosting growth, contrasting with "a decade of cuts" under the PP Source: Infobae. However, critics note that PIB per cápita has dropped, and wages lag behind inflation. One in three Spaniards cannot afford a week's holiday Source: ABC/COPE. The government has failed to pass a budget for three years, and its stability path was rejected in Congress Source: La Vanguardia.

Climate pact and political firestorm

Sánchez proposed a state pact on climate change, accusing the PP and Vox of "negacionismo climático" and linking their coalition governments to cuts in fire prevention Source: El Español. The PP counter-offered a specific fire pact, which Sánchez dismissed as already covered. The climate proposal, he said, is backed by 1,300 experts but has been voted down Source: La Vanguardia. Meanwhile, eight major wildfires rage across Spain.

Corruption and controversial pardons

The address was dominated by corruption cases: the conviction of ex-minister José Luis Ábalos, probes into Sánchez's wife Begoña Gómez and brother David Sánchez, and an investigation into former PM Zapatero Source: El Confidencial. Sánchez defended his family, saying they have a right to a fair trial Source: Milenio. Hours after the speech, the government pardoned Laura Borràs, a separatist leader convicted of corruption, along with two PSOE-linked figures, sparking accusations of political misuse Source: El Mundo, El Español.