Pedro Sánchez faces questions over management and foreign policy at Harvard
The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, led a day of academic debate at Harvard University. During his speech, which initially focused on the challenges that techno-oligarchs pose to modern democracy, the leader was subjected to a series of direct questions from students, addressing highly sensitive political topics.
Among the topics discussed, the judicial investigations involving his family environment, the use of the Pegasus spyware program, Spain’s position regarding Western Sahara, and the institutional crisis in Venezuela stood out.
Defense against judicial accusations
Faced with the question regarding the judicial cases affecting his wife and brother, Sánchez was emphatic in differentiating political corruption cases from the personal situations his relatives are facing. The president stressed that, although his administration has faced episodes of corruption that have been managed with transparency, the accusations against his family members do not respond to the same nature.
Those are not cases of corruption or scandals. Those are other matters, and, for me, the opposition and some far-right associations have crossed certain red lines that lead me to reflect. It is very difficult to accept that personal attack, and it is not fair for people to be condemned without evidence, which is part of dirty politics.
Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain
National security and foreign policy
Regarding the espionage through Pegasus software, Sánchez confirmed that the investigations are ongoing and that the incident was duly reported. Likewise, when asked about Spain’s change of position regarding Western Sahara, the leader defended his government’s strategy:
- Reiterated support for UN resolutions that promote an autonomous region under Moroccan sovereignty.
- Highlighted Spain’s role as one of the main donors of humanitarian aid for the Sahrawi people.
- Denied that its political decisions are a response to external pressures or vulnerabilities derived from the hacking of its devices.
Stance on Venezuela
Finally, regarding the situation in Venezuela and the role of Spanish political figures in the South American country, Sánchez clarified that Spain’s official position is firm: the electoral results presented by the Nicolás Maduro regime are not recognized. The president reaffirmed that his government’s priority is to advocate for transparent democratic processes, insisting that the future of Venezuela must be defined exclusively by its citizens.
