Pedro Sánchez pledges constitutional reform to protect pension revaluation

Pedro Sánchez has pledged to amend the Spanish Constitution to guarantee that pension revaluations follow the Consumer Price Index (IPC), framing the move as essential protection against a potential right-wing government. The proposal was announced during a pre-campaign rally in Gijón, where the PSOE leader positioned the measure alongside his commitment to constitutionally protect abortion rights. Sánchez argued that without these safeguards, the upcoming electoral pact between the People’s Party (PP) and Vox could lead to benefit cuts and threats to social rights.

However, achieving this constitutional "blindaje" presents significant legislative hurdles. While Sánchez seeks an absolute majority of 176 seats in the Congress of Deputies to govern independently, modifying the Constitution requires a qualified majority of three-fifths in both chambers. This translates to a minimum of 210 votes in the lower house, making it arithmetically impossible for the PSOE to enact the reform alone, even with a clear election victory. Success would necessitate broad cross-party agreements.

Sánchez highlighted his administration’s recent successes, noting that two constitutional reforms were passed during the current term: one protecting disability rights and another separating Ibiza and Formentera senatorial constituencies. He contrasted this progress with what he described as a political regression caused by the PP-Vox alliance for the Senate elections, which involves joint lists in 23 constituencies. Critics note that while the goal is popular, the parliamentary arithmetic required exceeds the PSOE’s projected seat count, forcing reliance on opposition support or a different political landscape post-election.

• The Goal: Constitutionalize IPC-based pension increases to prevent future legislative rollbacks Source: El Confidencial.
• The Hurdle: Requires 210 votes in Congress, far exceeding the PSOE’s likely 176-seat haul Source: El Confidencial.
• The Context: Part of a broader platform including abortion protection, contrasting with PP-Vox Senate pacts Source: La Vanguardia.