Spain's PP pushes to renew strategic dialogue with Algeria

In Spain, the People's Party (PP), the leading political force in both chambers of Parliament, is urging the government to renew dialogue with Algeria, which it describes as a «strategic partner». According to Iberian media, PP lawmakers have submitted a non-binding legislative proposal to the executive.

The proposal calls on the lower house to pressure Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government into making concessions to Algiers—particularly by reconsidering its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. The PP has criticized the March 2022 decision as «unilateral», arguing it marked a break from Spain’s «historic neutrality» on the issue.

«Algeria has always been a strategic partner for Spain in key areas such as energy, as well as in matters of migration and security, with close cooperation in the fight against terrorism, irregular immigration, drug trafficking, and military collaboration», the PP MPs emphasized.

The proposal argues that «given Algeria’s importance as an energy supplier and its role in regional stability, Spain must work to normalize bilateral relations, rebuild trust, and ensure greater transparency in diplomatic and political decision-making».

The initiative will be reviewed in the coming weeks by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. Its adoption by other parliamentary groups seems likely, as traditional right-wing parties, the far left, and even Catalan and Basque separatists appear aligned on issues related to Western Sahara and relations with Algeria.

As a reminder, on March 23, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed satisfaction with the thaw in relations with Madrid, stating that «relations between Algeria and Spain have returned to normal after a period of diplomatic chill».