Spain faces a critical set of decades that require a major political and territorial overhaul to adapt to rapid economic, social, and geopolitical changes, according to commentary published by writer Alex Cortés in Spanish newspaper La Razón on Sunday.
Cortés argued that while Spain enjoys high living standards, strong infrastructure, and developed public services, its political institutions remain stuck in models established decades ago. He stated that political polarization is preventing the consensus required to update the nation's governance.
The warning comes as Spain confronts technological transformation, an energy transition, an aging population, migratory pressures, and a more complex international environment that demands strategic autonomy.
Drawing on recent visits to the Italian cities of Florence and Naples, Cortés noted that European societies must balance long-term vision with resilience. He wrote that Spain and Italy share a responsibility from southern Europe to drive reforms across the continent.
Territorial management and regional powers
A central challenge for Spain is its territorial organization, known as the State of Autonomies. Established during the country's transition to democracy following the 1978 Constitution, the decentralization system aimed to balance central power with regional identity across Spain's 17 autonomous regions.
Cortés wrote that although the system brought administration closer to citizens, it has created bureaucratic complexity. He stated that the reform should not mean recentralizing power, but rather defining national strategies clearly while ensuring equal rights and opportunities for citizens regardless of where they live.
Parliamentary fragmentation has further complicated governance. Cortés argued that legitimate regional interests currently hinder 10-to-20-year national policies on housing, education, infrastructure, energy, industrial strategy, immigration, and foreign affairs.
Border security and demographic pressures
Cortés highlighted the autonomous city of Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the North African coast bordering Morocco, as an example of Spain's strategic weakness. He noted that recurring border crises reveal a lack of anticipation compared to Morocco's sustained political and economic strategy in the region.
Spain requires its own long-term strategy for border security and Mediterranean affairs rather than merely reacting when crises emerge, Cortés stated. He warned against managing migration purely through short-term political compromise.
Addressing demographic challenges, Cortés noted that Spain has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe alongside an aging population. He argued that allowing uncontrolled migration overburdens public systems and impoverishes the economy, adding that reliance on cheap labor causes negative consequences during economic downturns.
Energy opportunity and long-term vision
Cortés pointed to energy transition, telecommunications, and digitalization as major opportunities for Spain to establish itself as a European benchmark through a solid industrial policy. He called on the private sector and civil society to participate actively in shaping national projects.
Comparing national needs, Cortés wrote that while Spain in 1978 needed to build a democracy, Spain in 2026 must guarantee its welfare state and govern a more complex society efficiently. He concluded by asking whether Spanish leaders have the ambition to implement reforms before circumstances force rushed and consensus-free action.
