On May 2, 2025, in a pointed interview on TVE, Óscar López, Spain's Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, criticized the Partido Popular (PP) for its refusal to support the government's plan aimed at mitigating the economic impact of tariff measures imposed by the United States. López's remarks come in the wake of a massive blackout that struck Spain on April 28, 2025, which the PP has used as a political tool to reignite the debate over the future of nuclear energy in the country.
López condemned the PP's tactics, stating that they were prioritizing "specific interests" over the "general interest" of the nation. He accused the opposition party of acting as a "lobby for the nuclear industry," saying, "The PP is not defending the general interest; they are defending the interests of nuclear power plants." He further questioned the relevance of nuclear energy to producers of olive oil and wine, who are struggling to export their products to the U.S., asking, "How does nuclear energy affect olive oil or wine producers?"
The PP's recent actions have interrupted ongoing discussions with the government regarding the plan to mitigate the effects of the tariff war initiated by former President Donald Trump. López emphasized that the government's approach contrasts sharply with that of the PP, which he accused of spreading falsehoods. He stated, "While the PP first launches a rumor, this government is committed to relying solely on data and facts. We will not promote any false theories."
In the same interview, López noted that the government has allocated all state resources to investigate the causes of the blackout, which he described as a complex issue requiring thorough analysis. He stated, "This is just the beginning. There are millions of data points to analyze, and we are committed to uncovering the truth behind this incident."
Amidst the political turmoil, López remarked on the exemplary behavior of citizens and public servants during the blackout, highlighting their resilience and cooperation. He refrained from engaging in the debate over the potential renationalization of Red Eléctrica, a proposal put forth by Vice President Yolanda Díaz, emphasizing instead the need to focus on clarifying the situation and learning from it.
The PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has leveraged the blackout to argue for extending the operational lifespan of nuclear power plants, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the government. López pointed out that the PP's stance is reminiscent of past instances where they prioritized narrow interests over broader economic concerns, saying, "The PP is acting like a lobby for a few instead of defending the general interest."
Minister Óscar Puente also weighed in on the issue, claiming that major energy companies reported earnings of €11.249 billion last year, a 5.4% increase from 2023. He accused the PP of being the "main lobbyist" for these companies, stating, "They refuse to support the decree aimed at protecting the economy from tariffs unless it includes tax cuts for the energy companies, which are not even affected by these tariffs."
López reiterated the government's commitment to renewable energy, asserting that blaming renewables for the blackout is unjust. He suggested that such accusations stem from vested economic interests rather than factual evidence. He stated, "It would be a historic mistake for Spain to abandon its commitment to renewable energy and decarbonization. We must not demonize these energies, in which Spain is a global leader."
Reflecting on the current political climate, López characterized the opposition's behavior as "disoriented," arguing that it is crucial for the government to support Spanish businesses facing challenges from U.S. tariffs. He concluded, "How can anyone oppose helping our country's businesses in the face of tariff threats?"
The political clash over energy policy continues to escalate as both sides dig in on their positions. The government's push for renewable energy and economic protection measures stands in stark contrast to the PP's focus on nuclear energy and its perceived ties to the energy sector. As investigations into the blackout proceed, the implications for Spain's energy future and economic stability remain uncertain.
