Mayor Zohran Mamdani welcomed Spain’s controversial prime minister to Gracie Mansion Wednesday as the foreign leader contends with accusations of “overt antisemitism” as corruption scandals embroil his administration.
PM Pedro Sanchez was joined at a breakfast by Barbados PM Mia Amor Mottley and European Council President Antonio Costa as Hizzoner praised the socialist for raising Spain’s minimum wage and other liberal policies.
“I’m so proud to welcome Prime Minister Sanchez and Prime Minister Mottley, two leaders who are champions of working people, two leaders who have restored faith in democracy across the world,” Mamdani said.
But Mamdani’s rosy portrayal of Sanchez, who leads the Spanish Socialist Workers Party and has served as prime minister since 2018 – failed to acknowledge the nearly 60% of Spaniards who disapprove of the lefty leader.
Much of the disapproval has come to head this year — after his administration botched the handling of a 48-hour migrant crisis that saw nearly 60,000 Moroccans illegally cross the border into Ceuta, Spain.
Corruption scandals have also plagued the PM, with his family and top leaders within his party the target of investigations for alleged misconduct.
Sanchez’s wife Begoña Gomez is set to stand trial for influence peddling and misappropriation of public funds, according to the Irish Times.
His younger brother, David Sanchez, was recently sentenced to nine years of disqualification from public office after the court found his job as coordinator of public music schools was the result of malfeasance, the Guardian reported.
Sanchez sparked backlash after he banned Spanish ambassadors from Israel – which Israel’s Foreign Ministry labeled “overt antisemitism.”
On his watch, antisemitic incidents rose 14.5% in 2025, according to The Jewish Telegraphic agency. The jump came after the Anti-Defamation League found 26% of Spain citizens held antisemitic attitudes — the highest percentage of any country in Western Europe.
Mamdani’s warm welcome of the controversial pol comes during the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, where world leaders gather to address global conflicts. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to attend and deliver an address Thursday.
Netanyahu recently posted a fiery video shaming Mamdani and threatening to “tell the truth” about the mayor when he arrives to New York.
Mamdani has called on New Yorkers to protest the Israeli PM, whom he has referred to as a war criminal for the ongoing war in Gaza. Hizzoner has said Netanyahu should be arrested, though he has admitted local officials have no authority to put him in cuffs.
A Mamdani spokesperson didn’t respond to a request for comment.
