The Spanish government remains hopeful as the European Union’s General Affairs Council prepares to review a proposal aimed at granting full official status to Basque, Catalan, and Galician within the EU. During a recent press conference, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that he is confident that all Spanish political parties are liaising with their European counterparts to secure recognition of Spain’s national identities.

The proposal has sparked debate, with the opposition People’s Party criticising the government’s approach, alleging that it politicises these regional languages. The Party’s spokesperson Borja Sémper expressed concerns over the government’s tactics, emphasising the importance of adhering to EU laws and calling for respect towards European partners.

This initiative aligns with discussions that were part of the investiture negotiation led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The government defends its stance as a matter of national identity, arguing that the EU treaties underscore the need to protect diverse identities. About twenty million Spaniards speak these co-official languages, which the government believes should be acknowledged at the EU level.

Sunday’s agenda highlights the proposal’s potential impact on the EU’s linguistic framework. If approved, it could lead to the integration of these languages into the legislative processes of the EU. The discussions come at a time when the Spanish government is actively pushing for recognition, underscoring the significance it places on regional identities within the broader European landscape.