Spanish Parliament Blocks Shorter Work Week in Blow to Sanchez

The Spanish Parliament has rejected Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's proposal to implement a shorter work week in the country. The proposal, which aimed to reduce the standard work week from 40 to 32 hours without a corresponding decrease in pay, was seen as a significant policy initiative by Sanchez's government. However, the measure faced opposition from various political parties, who argued that it would be detrimental to the country's economic recovery and competitiveness. The vote against the proposal is a significant blow to Sanchez's government, which has been grappling with a range of challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Spanish economy. The rejection of the shorter work week proposal highlights the political challenges faced by Sanchez's minority government and the difficulty in implementing ambitious social and economic reforms in the current political landscape. The decision will likely have implications for the government's broader policy agenda and its ability to address the needs of Spanish workers and businesses.