A new political dispute is erupting in Spain over anti-crisis measures that could affect millions of families and reshape the country’s energy strategy. The PP leadership has sent a letter to Minister Félix Bolaños demanding the immediate repeal of the current Real Decreto-ley 7/2026, which regulates the response to the energy crisis. According to the party, the government has one month to prepare a new document that takes into account the opposition’s key proposals and provides real protection for citizens and businesses.
The PP emphasizes that the current decree is unable to deliver a comprehensive and sustainable response to challenges related to rising prices and instability in the energy market. In the letter signed by Alberto Nadal, the party outlines three conditions for supporting a new law: maintaining nuclear power plants, revising IRPF parameters, and increasing support for families with children. As EL ESPAÑOL reports, these demands have sparked heated debate in parliament and could influence the outcome of the vote as early as this week.
Nuclear energy
The first demand concerns the cancellation of nuclear plant closures. The PP believes the government cannot simultaneously talk about the need for a sustainable economy while continuing to implement a plan to gradually shut down the most stable and environmentally friendly segment of the energy sector. According to the party, abandoning nuclear generation between 2027 and 2035 without reliable alternatives will drive up prices and weaken the country’s energy security. The letter calls for the current phase-out schedule to be scrapped and for a formal commitment to keep nuclear facilities in operation.
According to the PP, this step is necessary to create a sensible energy policy and could form the basis for dialogue with the government on a new anti-crisis package. Otherwise, the party sees no reason to support initiatives that, in their view, ignore the interests of the economy and the population.
IRPF adjustment
The second set of demands relates to tax policy. The PP points out that the current decree does not provide for the indexation of the IRPF, despite inflation and the declining purchasing power of the middle class. The party insists on raising the minimum non-taxable income and doubling child tax deductions. According to the letter’s authors, failing to implement these measures effectively means a hidden increase in the tax burden on families, especially those with children.
PP believes that the government’s declared social protection cannot be effective without a genuine reduction in tax pressure on working citizens. The party demands that the new decree clearly define the parameters for updating IRPF and increasing support for families; otherwise, opposition support will not be possible.
Regulatory restrictions
The third area of criticism concerns excessive regulation and changes in budget legislation. PP claims that the decree contains provisions not directly related to the energy crisis, which create additional barriers for business and limit economic flexibility. The party is particularly dissatisfied with changes to budgetary rules through extended state budgets, which, in its view, are unrelated to the urgency of anti-crisis measures.
In addition, PP accuses the government of lacking transparency: regions were not informed about the possible impact of the new decisions on their funding. The party believes that such actions undermine trust and may lead to conflicts between the central government and the autonomous communities.
Political background
The situation surrounding the anti-crisis decree is unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing energy instability and rising prices caused by international conflicts. As EL ESPAÑOL notes, some of the PP’s proposals were already included in their March initiative. However, the party considers their implementation insufficient. The question of supporting the new law remains unresolved: the PP insists that only full consideration of their demands will provide an effective response to the challenges facing Spain.
In light of current events, it’s worth remembering that previous economic difficulties and political disagreements have already led to protracted debates in parliament. For example, the crisis measures taken by the Sánchez government sparked a mixed response both among lawmakers and among experts. Situations like these highlight how difficult it is to find a balance between social support and economic stability amid external and internal challenges.
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly faced the need to urgently adjust its economic and energy policies due to external shocks. Each time, discussions over new measures were marked by fierce debate between parties and the search for compromises. In 2024 and 2025, similar debates over tax changes and family support led to delays in decision-making, affecting public trust in the government. Now the situation again requires swift and well-considered action to avoid repeating past mistakes and to ensure stability for citizens and businesses.
