Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez Faces Backlash Over Summer Playlist Amid Crises

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has faced backlash for plugging his hits of the summer as the country battles dual crises of ongoing wildfires and the migrant crisis in Ceuta.

At the end of a challenging week for Spain, Mr Sanchez, 54, unveiled a new Spotify playlist on Instagram as he travelled to his summer residence Costa Teguise in Lanzarote to begin a three-week summer holiday.

“This summer I have prepared a playlist for you with some of the songs that I am listening to most this year,” he told his audience of two million followers. “It is quite eclectic so I’ll highlight for you three that will for sure - well, they will give you an idea of where I am coming from.”

The Socialist prime minister went on to spotlight EL BAIFO by Spanish rapper Quevedo, SS26 by Charli xcx, and Tantas Cosas by Melani. The 31-track playlist includes songs from Joyce Manor, Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth and Placebo.

Responding to the post, some said the tone felt off on a week that saw wildfires continue to rip through tens of thousands of hectares of land and force the evacuation of thousands of people across Spain. There was also a flurry of tense exchanges with other EU states after some 50,000 migrants tried to illegally enter Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta.

“The soundtrack of Spain today isn't Spotify; it is the sirens from the wildfires, the anxiety of thousands of families, and a country waiting to see its prime minister where he is needed most. And yet, the response is a playlist,” wrote one Instagram user.

“It’s incredible that they’re publishing this video while Ceuta is in flames and Spain is projecting the image of a failed state,” added another user.

And another wrote: “Aren’t you ashamed to upload this with what’s happening in Ceuta?”

The playlist itself features songs added one week ago, according to Spotify, before the latest crisis, in which some 50,000 people tried to stream across the border in Ceuta. At least 72 people died in the rush, which also prompted alarm across the European Union.

More than 48,000 returned to Morocco within 48 hours and more again over the weekend, Spanish authorities said.

Wildfires have separately been ravaging parts of Spain since mid-July, forcing upwards of 60,000 people from their homes in Spain.