Sánchez Says Spain Is Governed From Spain, Not Foreign Capitals

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has vowed that Spain will not become subordinate to an international far right, rejecting political influence from Washington, Moscow, Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv as he opened his party’s election campaign in Seville on Thursday.

Speaking to thousands of supporters on November 12, Sánchez framed the November 29 general election as a test of national sovereignty, arguing that Spain’s political future must be determined domestically.

Sánchez Rejects Foreign Political Influence

“Spain is governed from Spain. Not from Washington, nor from Moscow, nor from Buenos Aires, nor from Tel Aviv. From Spain!” Sánchez told supporters at the Fibes Auditorium.

He continued: “We are not going to allow our country to become the backyard of any far-right international.”

The prime minister added that Spain would remain sovereign after the November 29 vote, casting the election as a choice over the country’s political independence.

His references to the four capitals were political rather than diplomatic. Washington pointed toward Donald Trump, Buenos Aires toward Javier Milei, and Tel Aviv toward Israel and its Gaza policy. Moscow was included in his broader criticism of the international far right.

A Repeated Campaign Message

The four-capital formulation was not introduced in Seville. Sánchez had used it at Barcelona’s World in Progress forum on November 2 before repeating it during appearances in Valencia, Tarragona and Bilbao.

In Seville, he extended that argument to Spain’s domestic opposition, challenging the political records of Trump, Jair Bolsonaro and Milei.

He also criticized Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Santiago Abascal, describing them as representatives of political regression rather than an alternative.

Socialists Seek Electoral Comeback

The rally, held under the slogan “La fuerza de la gente,” drew approximately 3,000 to 4,000 supporters ahead of the official campaign opening at midnight.

Sánchez urged his party to deliver an “epic comeback” and emphasized voter mobilization, including among women. His wife, Begoña Gómez, also addressed the Seville rally for the first time.

The Socialists face a difficult electoral contest. Polls have generally placed the opposition Popular Party ahead, while two deadly high-speed train crashes have weighed on the campaign.

Sánchez called the snap election after failing to secure parliamentary approval for housing decrees.

Sovereignty at the Ballot Box

The prime minister also linked his political message to international law and conflicts abroad.

“You do not have to be Ukrainian or Palestinian to defend peace in the world, an end to genocide and respect for international law,” he said.

His Seville address placed sovereignty and opposition to the international far right at the center of the Socialists’ campaign kickoff, with voters due to decide the country’s next government on November 29.