Full Breakdown
Irene Montero’s “Happy Birthday” Protest in the European Parliament
6/17/2026, 11:59:35 PM
The Protest in the European Parliament
On 17 June 2026, Spanish MEP Irene Montero (Podemos) interrupted a European Parliament debate on the Union’s role in Middle-East peace and stability. The session, chaired by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, followed President Donald Trump’s announcement of a U.S.–Iran peace agreement. Montero sang a modified “Happy Birthday” song, labeling Trump “Mister Genocide” and denouncing U.S. and Israeli actions.
Political Background of Irene Montero
Montero served as Spain’s Equality Minister from early 2020 to late 2023 under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Since joining the European Parliament, she has repeatedly criticized Trump’s policies. In January 2025 she called him a “delinquent” and a “fascist.” In January 2026 she described Trump as the “Hitler of the 21st Century” and urged Europe to isolate the United States and leave NATO.
Key Figures and Groups
- Irene Montero – Podemos MEP and former Spanish Equality Minister.
- Donald Trump – U.S. President, announced a peace accord with Iran’s Islamic regime.
- Kaja Kallas – EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, presiding over the debate.
- Podemos – Spanish left-wing party represented by Montero in the European Parliament.
Timeline of Relevant Events
- Early 2020 – Late 2023: Montero serves as Spain’s Equality Minister.
- Jan 2025: Montero labels Trump a “delinquent” and “fascist.”
- Jan 2026: Montero calls Trump the “Hitler of the 21st Century” and urges European isolation of the United States.
- 17 June 2026: Montero sings “Happy Birthday” to Trump during the EU-Iran peace-agreement debate.
- 2027: Montero is expected to be Podemos’s prime-ministerial candidate in Spain’s general election.
Official Positions and Responses
The European Parliament convened the debate to assess the EU’s role in Middle-East stability after Trump’s peace announcement. Kaja Kallas led the session, but the sources record no direct EU response to Montero’s protest. Montero framed the U.S.–Iran agreement as a victory for Iran and a continuation of U.S. aggression, questioning whether Europe could claim to have “prevented a genocide” or “stopped an illegal attack” by the United States and Israel. She also urged Europe to sever ties with Israel and halt any occupation of Lebanon.
Verbatim Quotes from Montero
- “Happy birthday to Trump. Happy birthday to Trump. Happy birthday, Mister Genocide.” — Irene Montero, MEP
- “Hitler of the 21st Century.” — Irene Montero, MEP
- “He is a delinquent and a fascist.” — Irene Montero, MEP
- “Fiving up on feminism means that sexism wins.” — Irene Montero, MEP
Gaps in Reporting
The sources provide no recorded reaction from Kaja Kallas or other EU officials to Montero’s protest, leaving the EU’s immediate response undocumented.
What’s Next
Analysts note that Montero’s parliamentary actions have raised her visibility ahead of Spain’s 2027 election, where she is expected to lead Podemos’s campaign for the prime-ministerial post. The EU’s debate over its Middle-East role and its relationship with the United States is likely to continue shaping parliamentary discourse in the coming months.
