The Sustainable Mobility Law was approved by Spain’s Congress of Deputies on Wednesday with 174 votes in favour, 170 against, and four abstentions. This decision was made following an agreement in extremis between the Government and Podemos, which reinforces the environmental criteria in the expansion of El Prat airport.
The law, which is key to accessing 10 billion euros in European funds, will now be sent to the Senate. It will most likely be rejected (the PP right party, with a majority, voted against) and will return to the lower house, where it will need 176 votes in favour.
The text recognises mobility as a social right for the first time and includes sustainable mobility plans for companies with more than 200 employees, charging points for electric vehicles, and the study of the recovery of night trains to Europe. It also includes the revision of the DGT’s environmental labels.
Trenvista Premium te lleva directo, sin anuncios que hagan descarrilar tu lectura ni tu paciencia.
Únete por sólo 35€ al año, disfruta de contenidos exclusivos, más ventajas y cancela cuando quieras.
★ Empieza ahora
It also requires consideration of limiting domestic flights with a rail alternative to less than two and a half hours, except for international connections.
The law is based on four pillars: mobility as an inclusive right, clean transport, a digital data system and better public investment.
It also requires a State Strategy against Transport Poverty to be drawn up. The Executive considers it essential to modernise transport, promote decarbonisation and guarantee social and territorial cohesion. Despite the political tension, the approval marks a milestone in the Recovery Plan and in Spain’s international climate commitments.