Sánchez and Scholz increase the pressure on Macron by demanding that the Midcat be operational in 2025

The smiles, the words of mutual gratitude, and the issues on which there is agreement, have been the protagonists of the appearance of Pedro Sánchez and Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz, two Social Democratic leaders with good harmony and increasingly closer on some key issues such as the Midcat pipeline, which Scholz has defined as “key”. The two leaders have appeared before the press raising the pulse of the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, reluctant with the infrastructure. Sánchez and Scholz claim that it will be operational by the year 2025. Both have spoken about that agreement at the press conference. In it, they point out that it is about achieving a “true and robust” energy market in the EU and they conspire to continue pressuring the common neighbor, something for which they have conspired since this summer. The Midcat would be beneficial for Spain and Germany, especially now, with the energy crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine and Putin’s permanent threat to cut off supply. In addition, during the press conference, they reaffirmed their common commitment to continue supporting Ukraine against the Russian president, present in the brief speeches of both. The event began with a solemn signing of agreements between the two countries. In welcoming his “dear friend of his” Olaf Scholz, Sánchez has highlighted the good relations in recent months. In his response, in Spanish, Scholz has also pointed them out and highlighted Spain as one of the “most important” partners and one of the most “reliable” members of the EU. That yes, Spain and Germany have different points of view on the top of the price of gas. Sánchez has obtained European blessings to the Iberian exception, but it is costing him to obtain Scholz’s. Regarding Germany’s plans, Sánchez has assured that he understands how serious the situation is for Germany due to its dependence on Russia. “I hope Germany does well,” said the president, highlighting the importance of this for all of Europe. The anti-missile shield has not been addressed But all day, there had been talk of disagreement on another issue: it is the common anti-missile shield of the EU. Germany, which leads it, hopes to add Spain, but the Government has been eluding it all day, despite media interest. At the press conference this afternoon, the President of the Government assured that the subject had not been addressed; that the relationship between Germany and Spain is “extraordinary”, and that when the matter is “the subject of debate”, his government will study it. He has not openly rejected it, but he has not supported it either. As for Scholz, he has confirmed that it has not been addressed and has reaffirmed the importance that this shield will have for Germany. The idea is to cooperate so that the partners can have a defense with solidarity contributions. Eight ministers with SánchezSánchez and Scholz have left the meeting to sign a bilateral action plan and two agreements -one socio-labour and the other on higher education- signed by the competent ministers just before the press conference of the prime ministers. Eight ministers have accompanied Sánchez to be present at this bilateral summit, which shows how important it is for the Government. The ministers present were: Vice President Nadia Calviño; the Second Vice President and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz; the third vice president and minister for the Energy Transition, Teresa Ribera; the foreign minister, José Manuel Albares; Defense, Margarita Robles; the head of Agriculture, Luis Planas; that of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto; and the Minister of Universities, Joan Subirats. While Sánchez met Scholz alone, they held parallel meetings with their respective German counterparts. It is the first official summit between the two countries since 2013 – although Scholz traveled to Madrid in February and Sánchez was invited to a meeting of the German Council of Ministers at the end of August. The latest meetings attest that relations are going well, and in addition, the king and queen will travel to Germany between October 16 and 19 on a state visit. Home issues After the increase in defense spending, Sánchez has had to return to defend the government coalition and its budgets: “The government, in such a complex context, approved the budgets, which I would summarize as stability,” said Sánchez, who at the same time recalled his commitments to NATO: “When the allies a greater commitment, Spain fulfills its commitments not only because it is in NATO, but also because it is in the EU”, he concluded. Regarding the growth forecast made by Minister Calviño and which has been lowered by the Bank of Spain, Sánchez has asked for calm, and has highlighted that the Bank of Spain also says that the country will continue to grow and that “that is what which is important.” “The growth forecast that the vice president advanced is prudent,” Sánchez defended while explaining that she will review the forecasts in April, “as all countries do.”