Language tensions erupt at regional presidents' conference in Barcelona

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez, King Felipe VI, and the presidents of Spain's 17 autonomous communities met in Barcelona on Friday morning for the 28th Conference of Regional Presidents.

The high-level political meeting was marked by controversy even before it started due to escalating tensions between the ruling Socialists and the conservative opposition, the People's Party.

The inclusion of Catalan, Basque, and Galician as working languages at the conference for the first time was one of the most controversial topics.

Regional leaders began arriving shortly after 8 am and were welcomed by Catalan president Salvador Illa. PM Sánchez and King Felipe VI were the last to arrive, shortly after 9 am.

The delegation proceeded to Barcelona’s historic Pedralbes Palace, where the conference was held. After a breakfast meeting, King Felipe departed, and both Sánchez and Illa delivered brief remarks.

Madrid president walks out

In his speech, Illa urged the leaders to “argue with common sense” and highlighted the symbolic importance of being able to speak Catalan during the summit for the first time. “It is a sign of Spain’s rich plurality,” he said.

The use of regional languages was a contentious issue. A simultaneous interpretation system has been implemented for the first time to accommodate them.

However, Madrid’s regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso of the PP, reignited controversy on the eve of the meeting, warning she would walk out if addressed in one of these languages.

Despite the warning, Illa confirmed he would speak Catalan “with complete naturalness.” Tensions were visible in the greetings between Díaz Ayuso, President Illa, and PM Sánchez.

Once Basque Country president Imanol Pradales took the stage and began speaking in Basque, Díaz Ayuso walked out.

The Madrid president returned to the room once the speeches in Basque and Catalan were over.

Sánchez unveils housing policy

In his address, Sánchez expressed his “excitement” at hosting the conference in Barcelona, as it is the first time the city has served as the venue for the event.

The conference focused on a 14-point agenda, many of which were proposed by the PP. The party had threatened to boycott the summit unless its issues were included for discussion.

Although the national government is led by the Socialists, 11 of the 17 regional presidents belong to the PP, giving the opposition significant influence in the meeting.

Given the political climate and deep divisions between the Socialist government and the conservative opposition, the atmosphere was tense throughout the day.

PM Sánchez made housing policy a central topic of discussion. He proposed increasing investment in public housing from €2.3 billion to €7 billion from 2026 to 2030.

However, the PP was focused on other issues. The conservatives focused on criticizing deals that the Socialists have made with pro-independence parties regarding issues such as migration and taxes.

Calls for Sánchez to resign

During the conference, several regional presidents from the PP urged Sánchez to call early elections and resign, citing his "inability to govern."

One of them, Andalusian president Juanma Moreno, described Spain as facing a "critical and turbulent" political moment and called on Sánchez to "end the current situation" by stepping down.

Sánchez rejected the calls. "The Spanish government intends to respect the timeline of democracy and hold the general election in 2027, as scheduled," he said. 

Far-right protest

A coach and two vans bearing the image of Pedro Sánchez and the word "corrupt" in large letter were driven along Avinguda Diagonal outside the Pedralbes Gardens, where the conference is taking place.

The vehicles displayed the same image that far-right group Hazte Oír installed outside the Spanish Congress, which was removed after a court ruling.

Posters bearing Sánchez’s face and the word "corrupt" were placed at several bus shelters across Barcelona – around thirty, according to Hazte Oír, mostly near the Pedralbes area.

Around 20 protesters gathered at the gates of the gardens, carrying Spanish flags and placards with slogans such as "Sánchez mafioso" and "Sánchez resign."

Protesters also held signs equating Spain's two main political parties, the Socialists and the conservative People's Party (PP). 

Three Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police) vans and several officers monitored the protest and managed access to the gardens.