Spain’s attempt to elevate Catalan, Basque, and Galician to official European Union languages encounters significant pushback from several EU member states. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez views this designation as moving in concert with Spain’s national interests. He claims it will better position the country to increase future defense spending.
The Spanish government plans to present the proposal for a vote in the General Affairs Council next week, despite at least seven EU capitals expressing concerns about the associated costs and political ramifications. Madrid has pledged to pay the costs of adding these languages to the EU’s translation and interpretation programs. Depending on the type of action, this investment may go up to several millions of euros.
Sánchez’s commitment has not received unqualified support from all of his fellow council members. Belgium, Cyprus, Portugal, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovakia back recognition of Catalan, Basque and Galician. At the same time, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany and Sweden are asking for further clarification of the likely costs and legal consequences of such a move.
Valuing these languages has proved to be an important feminist demand for Sánchez’s Socialist Party. It was a critical part of the state’s 2023 pact with its local ears. The negotiation process itself needs to achieve unanimous support from all 27 EU member states, which further complicates the road ahead for Spain. The continued negotiations serve as a reminder of the precarious coalition Sánchez is walking on top of in his minority government. He is personally counting votes from the Catalan separatist party Junts favorably. Tempers flare party and faction-wide as Junts members lose faith in the process after years of promise but no progress on language recognition.
France has long-enforced opposition to the recognition of domestic minority languages, such as Basque, Breton, and Corsican. This position would further worsen the already difficult situation. The effort spans two years, with the Spanish government personally lobbying European capitals for support. It is fighting a rear guard action as dissent grows louder.
Sánchez goes on to say that by improving Spain’s official language status in the EU, it will open up significant national funding. This funding is indispensable to prepare military capabilities to face future challenges. This approach has raised the ire and deep skepticism of some EU leaders. They are concerned about the wider repercussions of introducing additional official languages.
The possible rejection of Catalan, Basque, and Galician would send up the political flare for a momentous crisis in Madrid. As Sánchez continues through these difficult negotiations, he has to not only juggle the pressure from home but the interests of his counterparts from other EU countries.
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