Athens Mayor Haris Doukas presented the Athens Democracy Award 2026 to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The award was presented during their meeting at the Palacio de la Moncloa in Madrid on Tuesday, September 29. The ceremony was presented at the Stoa of Attalos, as part of the Athens Democracy Forum 2026, organized by the Democracy & Culture Foundation in collaboration with The New York Times. Through this award, the City of Athens recognizes the Spanish Prime Minister’s contribution to the defense of human rights and democratic institutions, as well as his unwavering commitment to social justice and international solidarity.
View this post on Instagram
Haris Doukas: “Your political courage is at the heart of this award”
“His political courage lies at the heart of this award. A word easy to say and difficult to act upon. Athens honors you for your courage, and for human dignity,” said Mr. Doukas as he presented the award.
Explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Mr. Doukas highlighted the bold stance the Spanish Prime Minister has taken on critical international issues, “such as his refusal to allow Spanish military bases to be used for operations against Iran, his recognition of the Palestinian state, and his open condemnation of the genocide being carried out in Gaza.” “Athens honors Pedro Sánchez because in an age when it is easy to stay silent, he spoke up,” he said in closing, invoking the Spanish Prime Minister’s own words that “we must never stop fighting.”
“I accept this great honor, as citizens must be free to participate in and shape their common future,” said Mr. Sánchez upon accepting the award.
