Spanish Senate Blocks Friendship Treaty with France Over Constitutional Dispute

The Spanish Senate, with the majority support of the Partido Popular (PP) and Vox, voted 146-112-2 to block the ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with France, sending it to the Constitutional Court for review Source: El Mundo. The treaty, signed by Pedro Sánchez and Emmanuel Macron in January 2023, aims to strengthen bilateral ties, including periodic exchanges of ministers in each other's Council of Ministers.

What sparked the block

The controversy centers on Article 2.4, which allows a minister from one country to attend the other's Council of Ministers at least once every three months. The PP argues this violates Spain's Constitution (Articles 13.2, 23.2, and 98.1), which limits Council participation to Spanish government members and the King Source: ABC. The government counters with an interpretative note that such participation would be "en los márgenes" (on the margins), in separate meetings—a clarification the PP deems insufficient, calling it a "chapuza" (botched job) Source: Infobae.

Political reactions

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares accused the PP of "crossing a dangerous red line" and behaving like an "antisystem party," harming relations with France, Spain's top trade partner Source: El Español. The PP defended its move as institutional protection, claiming Sánchez sought to "open the doors of the Council of Ministers to a foreign government without constitutional blessing" Source: El Español. The PNV warned of "grave repercussions" for bilateral cooperation Source: La Vanguardia.