Spain takes over Sweden to assume the Presidency of the Council
On 1st July 2023, the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU officially began, taking over from Sweden. Spain will assume the Council Presidency in turbulent times, as the country will hold its general election on 23 July 2023.
Spain’s announced priorities for the upcoming six months include:
- Reindustrialise the EU and ensure its open strategic autonomy;
- Advance in the green transition and the environmental adaptation;
- Promoting greater social and economic justice;
- Strengthening European unity.
On the environmental front, the Spanish Presidency will seek to advance work aiming to achieve the EU Zero Pollution goal, improving air quality, and regulating the use of hazardous chemical substances in manufacturing. Work on the control of industrial emissions and the transition towards a circular economy will continue during those six months, where the Presidency will chair discussions on waste reduction, via the negotiations on both the Packaging and Packaging Regulation proposal and Waste Framework Directive review proposal.
Spain is part of the Presidency trio also including Belgium and Hungary. Belgium will take over the Spanish Presidency on 1st January 2024, and will preside the Council during the European elections set to take place from 6 to 9 June 2024.
What did you miss?
- 1st July 2023: Start of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU
- 10-12 July 2023: Informal Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Energy in Valladolid
What’s next?
- 23 July 2023: Spain’s general election
- 16 October 2023: Environment Council
- 18 December 2023: Environment Council
- 1st January 2024: Start of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU
- 6-9 June 2024: European elections