Spain's Senate rejects friendship treaty with France during Macron's visit
Spain's Senate on Tuesday rejected a treaty of friendship and cooperation with France on the first day of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Madrid, the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE reported.
A total of 106 senators voted in favor of the agreement, 142 voted against, and one abstained. The opposition People's Party (PP), which holds an absolute majority in the Senate, opposed the treaty.
The treaty, signed by Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Barcelona in January 2023, was intended to strengthen bilateral cooperation and create a mechanism for regular consultations between the governments of the two countries.
The PP challenged a provision allowing a minister from one country to take part in a meeting of the other country's Council of Ministers. The governments later clarified that such participation would take place at special meetings rather than as part of official cabinet sessions.
Last week, Spain's Constitutional Court ruled that the provision complies with the country's Constitution.
Earlier on Tuesday, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia welcomed Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, with military honors at the Royal Palace in Madrid.
On Wednesday, Macron is scheduled to meet with Sanchez. The leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations.
The visit is the first state visit by a French president to Spain since 2009.
Treaties of friendship and cooperation are used by states to consolidate political dialogue and identify priority areas of interaction. However, for such agreements to enter into force, a number of countries require approval by both chambers of parliament.
