Contention in Spanish Parliament Over Gaza and Eurovision Participation

In a heated session of government control held on Wednesday, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the opposition, confronted President Pedro Sánchez about Spain's participation in international sporting events following RTVE's decision to withdraw from Eurovision, contingent upon Israel's participation. This came after Sánchez's government faced criticism for various domestic issues, including housing, transportation, and budgetary constraints. Feijóo criticized Sánchez for allegedly using these sporting decisions as distractions from pressing national problems. He questioned whether the President would withdraw Spanish teams from competitions like Eurobasket and the World Cup, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the country. "When he loses votes, he goes to the movies," Feijóo claimed, implying that Sánchez is more focused on public relations than governance. In response, Sánchez pointed to a UN working group resolution labeling the situation in Gaza as genocide, but did not directly answer Feijóo’s inquiries about Spain's involvement in sporting events. Instead, he defended his government’s stability, claiming that they had approved 43 legislative initiatives in the current term — a higher number than many regions governed by Feijóo’s party with an absolute majority. The exchange also highlighted Feijóo's assertion that Sánchez's administration represents the least stable government in the history of Spanish democracy. He firmly condemned the violence in Gaza, asserting that it is the Israeli government that is conducting bombings, while Palestinian civilians should not be labeled as terrorists. Feijóo emphasized that Hamas is a terrorist organization but cautioned against equating the actions of the Israeli government with the will of its people. Sánchez reiterated his stance on government stability, stating, "This government guarantees stability because it governs for the majority." He contrasted his rule with the frequent changes in leadership seen in other European nations, claiming that his administration is the third longest-serving in the EU. The session in Congress reflected deep political divides in Spain, with issues of foreign policy interwoven with national governance, encapsulating the complexities of leadership and accountability amidst international crises. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2