Control session in the Lower House of Parliament

The President of the Government of Spain defended the Government's policies aimed at fostering young people's independence, improving working conditions and strengthening worker protections.

Lower House of Parliament, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain during his speech to the members of parliament present in the chamber (Pool Congreso)

The President of the Government of Spain during his speech to the members of parliament present in the chamber (Pool Congreso)

During the question time session in the Lower House of Parliament, the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, highlighted "three indisputable facts" which, in his view, reflect the positive international image that Spain currently enjoys.

In response to Alberto Núñez Feijóo, a Member of Parliament for the Popular Party parliamentary group, the president noted that "the leading international investment fund has ranked Spain as the top investment destination in Europe". He also pointed out that major credit rating agencies have upgraded Spain's credit rating "as a result of economic growth and fiscal consolidation".

Finally, Pedro Sánchez noted that, according to estimates by the Elcano Royal Institute, Spain holds the best image among European nations and their citizens. "That is the reality of Spain; that is how we are seen," the President of the Government of Spain emphasised.

The President of the Government of Spain chats with the Minister for Economy and First Vice-President, Carlos Cuerpo, and with the Minister for Ecological Transition and Third Vice-President, Sara Aagesen| Pool Congreso

In response to Míriam Nogueras, a Member of Parliament from the Junts per Catalunya parliamentary group, Pedro Sánchez emphasised the "Government's commitment" to the "emancipation of young people" and the "protection of workers".

The head of the Executive pointed out that over the last eight years, the number of vocational training places has increased by 400,000. He also highlighted the passing of the labour reform, "which has enabled us to reduce the use of temporary contracts and improve stability", and the repeal of dismissal on objective grounds due to medical leave. He also highlighted the 66% increase in theMinimum Interprofessional Wage,and the policies implemented in the area of housing, although on this last point he stressed that progress requires the commitment of the regional governments and local councils.

In his response to Member of Parliament Mertxe Aizpurua of the Euskal Herria Bildu parliamentary group, Pedro Sánchez also championed collective bargaining as the means for "employers to be responsive to union demands" and for "improving the working conditions of the middle and working classes - those earning above the statutory minimum wage, yet who also necessarily need to see increases in their pay".

Pedro Sánchez, in one of his speeches during the Government control session, alongside the Minister for Economy and First Vice-President, Carlos Cuerpo, and the Minister for Labour and Second Vice-President, Yolanda Díaz| Pool Congreso

In his response to Míriam Nogueras, Pedro Sánchez outlined some of the Government's actions in Catalonia. The head of the Executive highlighted that the General State Administration's investment in Rodalies is now approaching €3 billion and that the most recent Council of Ministers meeting approved theDORA III Plan,which allocates €2 billion for the modernisation of airport infrastructure in Catalonia. He also pointed out that 116,000 new jobs have been created in the region over the past year.

The President of the Government of Spain also reaffirmed his commitment to Ceuta, asserting that the city "will emerge stronger from this crisis". Pedro Sánchez highlighted the approval of a€309 million plan, of which €80 million will be injected into Ceuta's economy before the end of the year - an amount equivalent to 4% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).