Athens Honours Pedro Sánchez with 2026 Democracy Award

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has received the 2026 Athens Democracy Award in recognition of his contribution to human rights and democratic institutions, as well as his commitment to social justice and international solidarity.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas presented the award to Sánchez during a meeting at the Palacio de la Moncloa in Madrid on Wednesday, September 30. The presentation was formally announced on Thursday at the Stoa of Attalos during the Athens Democracy Forum 2026, where organisers also screened a recorded message from the Spanish prime minister.

Doukas said Sánchez’s “political courage” stood at the heart of this year’s award, pointing to his positions on several international and domestic issues.

He cited Sánchez’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine, his government’s halt to arms sales to Israel and his refusal to allow the US government to use Spain’s Rota and Morón military bases for attacks on Iran.

Doukas also highlighted Sánchez’s response to migration, his government’s efforts to regulate artificial intelligence and its housing policies.

In his recorded message, Sánchez described the award as a “great honour” and accepted it with “immense gratitude and deep humility”.

“Disinformation, geopolitical tensions and growing uncertainty are all testing the trust of our citizens and the resilience of our institutions,” Sánchez said.

He said democracy becomes stronger when people participate, their rights receive protection and governments listen to and serve citizens.

Sánchez added that he did not regard the award as a personal honour, but as recognition for people who strengthen democracy every day, including public servants, elected representatives, civil society groups, journalists, academics and citizens.

“These are the people who keep the flame burning,” he said.

Doukas highlights Sánchez’s political record

Doukas said the selection of Sánchez reflected what he described as the Spanish prime minister’s “courageous stance” on critical international issues.

He also referred to Sánchez’s decision in 2018 to open Spanish ports to the Aquarius, a rescue vessel carrying more than 600 people rescued in the Mediterranean. The move received praise from the UN Refugee Agency, according to Doukas.

The Athens mayor also highlighted the Spanish government’s policies on migration, artificial intelligence regulation and housing.

About the Athens Democracy Award

The City of Athens Democracy Award honours individuals and organisations that have contributed to the defence of democracy, human dignity, freedom and the rule of law.

The award forms part of the Athens Democracy Forum, an international initiative of the Democracy & Culture Foundation organised in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Municipality of Athens, with the participation of The New York Times.

The 2025 award went to Israeli journalist Gideon Levy.

This year’s award takes the form of a sculpture titled Foundations of Democracy, created by Myrto Kapnisti, a graduating student at the Athens School of Fine Arts.

Made from engineering resin mounted on a base of white Pentelic marble, the sculpture represents eight fundamental democratic values: freedom, equality before the law, justice, solidarity, equality, the rule of law, citizen participation in public affairs and the separation of powers.

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