Editorial: El Mundo

• Spain's use of European funds intended for innovation to finance pensions raises concerns about its fiscal responsibility.
• The funds were intended to finance transformative investment, digitization, and energy transition after the pandemic, not to absorb structural deficits.
• Spain has delayed the debate on the sustainability of its pension system, preferably resorting to increasing transfers and debt to maintain appearance of stability.
• Frustration arises in Germany as they are required to increase the retirement age, while Spain seems to be using European funds to sustain its system.
• The debt mutualization policy approved post-pandemic was accepted under the premise of financing shared reforms and investments, not covering national deficits.
• The budgetary maneuvers appear to have been conducted bypassing budgetary regulations, a factor that worsens Spain's image of reliability and financial solvency.

Conclusion: The use of EU funds for unsustainable national expenses, coupled with lack of fiscal transparency, can lead to significant conflicts and imbalances within the union.

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