From September 29th to 30th, French President Emmanuel Macron paid a state visit to Spain. During this visit, an embarrassing incident occurred, resulting in Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez having to apologize to Macron in person.
According to reports by Spanish newspaper El País and European News Network, on September 29 local time, the Spanish Senate rejected the 'Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation' signed between Spain and France with 142 votes against, 106 votes in favor, and 1 abstention. This vote took place just as the state banquet hosted by the King and Queen of Spain for Macron and his wife was underway.
In January 2023, Spain and France signed this Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Barcelona. The treaty was later approved by France and passed by the Spanish House of Representatives.
According to reports, one of the most controversial clauses in this treaty is the permission for members of the French government to attend Spanish cabinet meetings (and vice versa). It is worth mentioning that just six days before the treaty was rejected by the Spanish Senate, on September 23rd, the Spanish Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that the treaty text complies with Spanish constitutional law.
On September 30th, Sánchez and Macron held a joint press conference at the Spanish Prime Minister’s Office. Sánchez apologized to Macron regarding the rejection of the treaty by the Spanish Senate.
"I can only apologize." said Sanchez. He indicated that the Spanish government would continue to push for the ratification of this treaty, to reiterate the "brotherly relationship" between the two countries once more.
