Spanish royals host gala dinner for Emmanuel Macron: ‘We are this old continent that underestimates itself. But we’re not doing that badly’
The French president, whose second term ends next spring, makes his first state visit to Spain in his nearly 10 years in office amid growing concerns over the threats to Europe
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain on Tuesday received French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron at the Royal Palace for a gala dinner as part of a state visit by the French leader — one of his last before France holds general elections in April of next year. After almost 10 years in office, this was the first state visit to Spain by Macron, whose second term ends in the spring, after which he is barred from running for a third consecutive term.
On Wednesday, Macron is scheduled to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who is also facing a general election next year. Both countries are gearing up for the vote against a backdrop of growing social polarization and the seemingly unstoppable rise of the far right across Europe. Meanwhile, a poll released on Tuesday in France showed that only 18% of respondents consider Macron a good president, even as Rassemblement National, the party of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, continues to make inroads in its bid to win the presidency next year.
The French couple was received with military honors and treated to a reception in Madrid that included a parade and a meal at La Zarzuela Palace, followed by a bilateral meeting between both heads of state.
Macron also attended a talk with the Spanish writer Javier Cercas, and defended his idea of a united Europe. “We are this old continent that underestimates itself. But we’re not doing that badly,” he said.
The relationship between both countries is going through a good moment, and France is Spain’s top trade partner. Some sources of friction remain, however, such as the demand for increased energy links with France (which the latter rejects) to secure power supply and avoid another major blackout like the one that hit the peninsula in 2025.
Macron is also scheduled to visit SatCen, a European satellite center located in the military base of Torrejón. This site provides satellite surveillance of North Africa and the Sahel region, which are hotspots for migration and the trafficking of humans and weapons; these are also areas where Russia and China are gaining notable influence to the detriment of Europe and other Western powers such as the United States, which is more focused on Asia.
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