Spain seeks delay of PM's EU presidency speech due to election

FILE PHOTO: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference during a meeting of the European Political Community at Mimi Castle in Bulboaca, Moldova June 1, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain wants to delay the presentation of priorities for its upcoming EU presidency until months after assuming the bloc's rotating leadership in July 1 due to a snap election, which some diplomats fear could disrupt Europe's agenda.

The move contrasts with the Spanish government's earlier claims that the elections would in no way affect the timetable of the European presidency and that everything would go ahead as planned.