The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, defended on Friday in Madrid that his Executive has doubled state investment aimed at young people since 2018, with measures such as the Youth Cultural Voucher and the increase of the Youth Rental Voucher.
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, stated on Friday that his Executive has doubled state investment aimed at youth since 2018, which translates to "more resources so that being young does not mean having fewer opportunities," according to lamoncloa.gob.es.
Sánchez made these statements during the inauguration of the XXVI General Assembly of the Youth Council of Spain, held at the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid. The President argued that policies directed at young people must include their participation: "If we want to get it right with policies aimed at young people, the first thing we need to do is listen to the voice and participation of young people."
In his speech, Sánchez highlighted the work of the Youth Council, which for over 40 years has ensured that the concerns, demands, and aspirations of young people reach those who make decisions. He also warned of a "regression" in the rights of young people in some areas and a "disregard for dialogue spaces" like this one.
The head of the Executive insisted on the need to "listen to young people without prejudice" and recalled the challenges they face: "spending half a salary on rent," "a scholarship making the difference between continuing to study or having to give it up," or "being stuck in precarious contracts."
In response, Sánchez pointed out that "it is not enough to ask young people to trust institutions. Institutions must give them reasons to trust." In this regard, he cited measures such as the Youth Cultural Voucher, the Youth Rental Voucher with aid that has increased to 300 euros per month, or the Housing Law, which prohibits selling protected housing to vulture funds. On this matter, he stated that "we cannot demand solutions to the housing problem while simultaneously prioritising the interests of four vulture funds over the future of thousands of young people."
The President also highlighted the increase in the minimum wage and the commitment to Vocational Training, which has helped reduce school dropout rates. He described young people as a "prepared, demanding, committed generation, eager to change things," and concluded: "It is often said that you are the future, but I believe that falls short. You are the present. And Spain needs you to take your place."
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