MADRID – Spain Faces Political Crisis Amid Record Forest Fires
Spain’s most severe forest fires in decades have ignited a political crisis, escalating pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who contends with a series of corruption scandals, reports 24brussels.
Initially a climate emergency, the situation has deteriorated into a political catastrophe. Sánchez’s administration is under scrutiny for its response to the wildfires, with conservative opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accusing the government of tardy and uncoordinated action.
“Five days asking for reinforcements for the Armed Forces and most of what was requested has not arrived. Five years without approving a National Civil Protection Response Mechanism. Prevention funds not invested. Sánchez’s duty is to provide relief, not to skimp and improvise all the time,” the Popular Party (PP) leader stated on X.
Regional PP figures such as Alfonso Fernández Mañueco and Alfonso Rueda echoed these concerns, asserting that Madrid has failed to supply necessary resources, forcing Spain to seek assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Critics have pointed out that Spain has utilized only €2.7 million of the €71 million allocated by the EU for forest management, in addition to failing to establish a long-promised national emergency response plan.
Far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal criticized Sánchez and regional PP governments for leaving citizens “defenseless against climate terrorism.”
Under Spain’s Forestry Law, the primary responsibility for firefighting falls on the country’s 17 autonomous regions, which are obliged to mobilize brigades, vehicles, and aircraft while coordinating with central authorities.
Sánchez Under “Double Fire”
This political turmoil compounds the fallout from numerous domestic scandals that have surfaced during Sánchez’s holiday in the Canary Islands. Recently, his wife faced indictment for alleged embezzlement, forcing Sánchez to cancel a planned trip to Washington to meet with other European leaders and President Donald Trump. Conservative media attributed his absence to both the ongoing wildfires and his tenuous relationship with Trump.
Sánchez accused Trump of attempting to impose “vassalage” on Kyiv through an overly close alignment with Vladimir Putin. “In the 21st century, relations between countries are alliances, not vassalage,” Sánchez remarked in July, reaffirming Spain’s support for Ukraine.
Additionally, Sánchez continues to navigate the repercussions of the “Koldo corruption case,” which revolves around misconduct related to contracts awarded during the tenure of the former Spanish transport minister.
The recent jailing of a former Socialist party organization secretary linked to a bribery scheme tied to public works contracts adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile ruling coalition, which now relies on separatist parties in Catalonia and the Basque Country. As September approaches, the political landscape in Madrid promises to become increasingly charged for Sánchez.
(cs, vib)
