Athens Honors Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez with City Democracy Award

During a meeting at Madrid’s Palacio de la Moncloa, Athens Mayor Χ. Δούκας handed the 2026 Athens Democracy Award to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, citing his defence of human rights and democratic institutions. The award was formally announced at the Athens Democracy Forum’s Stoa of Attalos, where a video message from Sánchez was broadcast. In his speech, Sánchez thanked public officials, elected representatives, journalists and academics for keeping democratic values alive amid misinformation and global instability. Χ. Δούκας praised Sánchez’s refusal to allow Spanish military bases to be used for operations against Iran, his decision to recognise a Palestinian state, and his condemnation of the Gaza genocide.

He also noted Sánchez’s actions on migration, AI regulation and the opening of Spanish ports to the rescue ship Aquarius in 2018. The award, a sculpture titled “Foundations of Democracy” by Myrtos Kapnisti, symbolizes core democratic principles.