Consensus on foreign policy

The decisions of a lone ranger fighting global injustice alongside China, Russia, Cuba and Venezuela not only disorient Pedro Sánchez, but also discredit Spain.

When it comes to making these kinds of decisions on the international stage, something as basic and important as consensus on foreign policy is essential. These kinds of actions affect the whole country and all Spaniards in the short, medium and long term, not just the so-called progressives. That is why it is necessary to reach consensus, consult, negotiate and make state policy with the main opposition party, which is also in government.

The reality is that all Spaniards will suffer the consequences of this type of unilateral challenge and stance against the majority of our allies and partners. This is not about Trump being a bully and me being the only smart one in the class who stands up to him.

The problem lies mainly in the fact that Pedro Sánchez's attitude is solely motivated by his personal and partisan interests in staying in power at all costs. We are not going to get into the corruption scandals that, in any other European country, Portugal for example, would lead to the resignation of socialist and conservative prime ministers and the calling of elections for much less. These are foreign policy decisions that will affect all Spaniards for many years to come and that must be taken with the interests of everyone truly in mind.

It is not surprising that during the meeting he did not dare to speak up to confront all his allies and reject the increase in defence spending to 5% of GDP. He does so outside the meeting in order to control the narrative and appeal to potential voters, not only from the PSOE but also from the far left, which he is trying to attract. It is unacceptable, under any circumstances, for Spain to be excluded from the decision-making core of international organisations that are key to the interests of all Spaniards at a time of particular importance and significance due to everything that is happening in the world, and especially in Europe.

All this will soon translate into less international investment, problems in obtaining financing on favourable terms, a worse reputation for a country that lives off tourism, and a very worrying reduction, if not a cut-off, in information and cooperation from intelligence services in countries that are key to our stability and security. Defence awareness, the state, foreign policy, not just populist money.