Spain's Sánchez pushes 2027 budget amid PP accusations of election timing

PP vice‑secretary Juan Bravo accused Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of using the presentation of the 2027 State General Budgets as a pretext to call early elections in the spring, calling the tactic “unethical”. Bravo also urged former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to ask the tax agency to investigate himself to “prove his innocence”.

Sánchez replied that the government will seek backing for the 2027 budget with “humility” and confidence in its economic record, citing a 2.6% growth forecast, record social‑security enrolment and a reduction in inequality, while stressing that housing remains the main challenge.

The government’s budget proposal calls for €110 billion more spending than in 2018, a 6.6% rise that would be paired with new tax hikes, prompting economists to warn of possible breaches of EU fiscal rules and increasing debt. Finance Minister Arcadi España said the plan will boost investment in housing, health, youth programmes, gender‑based violence prevention and R&D.

Meanwhile, the PP continued its broader criticism of the administration, including local demands such as Luisa Sánchez’s call for a new maintenance contract for Vigo’s vertical transport system, arguing current services are inadequate.