Feijóo accuses Sánchez of authoritarianism at EPP Forum

Alberto Núñez Feijóo has branded Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez an "authoritarian" leader during the inaugural EPP Libertas Forum in Madrid, a gathering of European and Ibero-American centre-right figures. Without naming Sánchez directly, Feijóo said: "To recognize an authoritarian, you just have to look at what he tries to control" Source: El Mundo. The event, organised by the European People's Party, aimed to strengthen transatlantic ties and counter populism Source: ABC.

The accusation comes days after David Sánchez, the prime minister's brother, was sentenced to nine years of disqualification for administrative prevarication Source: El Confidencial. Feijóo argued that Spain suffers from a "weakened democracy" Source: La Vanguardia.

Immigration and domestic plans

In a separate speech, Feijóo outlined his immigration policy, calling for Spain to decide "who enters, how and for what" and claiming there are more than 173,000 irregular immigrants in the Canary Islands compared to 2,800 under the Rajoy government Source: Infobae. He also pledged to build one million homes and improve public services Source: Infobae.

Key criticisms

• Feijóo accused Sánchez of disrespecting judicial independence and parliamentary majorities Source: ABC.
• PP secretary-general Miguel Tellado said Sánchez's government is "corrupt to the core" with 127 defendants Source: Infobae.
• The forum included leaders like Manfred Weber, Antonio Tajani, and María Corina Machado Source: El Mundo.