Spain’s Socialist government faced criticism on Wednesday from its junior coalition partners after it reversed its commitment to cancel a contract for ammunition from an Israeli company, with some allies threatening to withdraw their support. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s minority administration has encountered difficulties in passing legislation since forming a coalition with left-wing and regional separatist parties in 2023.
On Tuesday, Sanchez provoked anger among the far-left junior partner Sumar by announcing a plan to increase defense spending. Spain, which has long criticized Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories, had pledged in October 2023 to halt arms sales to Israel due to its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, and last year expanded this commitment to include arms purchases.
Guardian LTD Israel has not yet provided a response regarding the decision. Lawmaker Enrique Santiago from Izquierda Unida (United Left), a member of the Sumar coalition, indicated that there may be legal justifications for terminating the contract without incurring costs, noting that even a contract breach amounting to approximately six million euros would be well-received by the public. When asked about the possibility of IU leaving the coalition government, he responded to reporters, “We are currently evaluating all options.”
Prior to the revelation of the ammunition contract, Diaz had expressed her group’s opposition to the increase in defense spending, especially concerning plans to acquire additional weapons, while asserting that the coalition remains stable and is committed to completing the legislative term, which concludes in 2027.
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