Making Catalan an official EU language is a key promise Sánchez made to nationalist leader Carles Puigdemont, whose party, Junts, with its seven seats in the Spanish parliament, is crucial for Sánchez’s mandate stability as he needs their votes for a majority. Germany was the largest nation to oppose the move during the EU countries’ vote in May.
This is the latest example of cooperation following a September meeting in Madrid between Merz and Sánchez, who represent Europe’s two biggest political families — the Conservatives and the Social Democrats. During this rare German-Spanish meeting, they pledged to work closely at the EU level to fulfill their promises, aiding each other in strengthening their hold on power in Berlin and Madrid.
“Germany and Spain will continue to strengthen their ties and commit to more Europe,” Sánchez stated at the time. “That message of unity is the most powerful one we can convey to our fellow citizens right now.”
Similarly, Merz noted that with the European Socialists in Brussels led by a Spaniard (Iratxe García) and the European center-right by a German (Manfred Weber), both leaders “agreed to communicate and resolve differences so the two groups can truly work together effectively in the European Parliament.”
In the weeks that followed, this newly formed alliance is showing tangible impacts at the European level.
The announcement on linguistic recognition comes just two weeks after Sánchez intervened with the Socialists group in the European Parliament to ensure the approval of a controversial simplification package, reducing green reporting rules for businesses, proposed by the center-right European People’s Party — Merz’s party.
The proposal, known in Brussels as Omnibus 1, is Merz’s initiative and was central to his campaign for the chancellery in the spring.
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