Parties holding 35 of 69 seats on Congress's standing committee will demand Transport Minister Óscar Puente's resignation on November 3. The Urda crash killed 69 people; 41 remain in hospital, and searches for remains continue. The government backs him and is expected to approve an aid Royal Decree on November 3.
A permanent two-euro EU handling fee now applies to parcels shipped from outside the EU directly to consumers. It adds to the temporary three-euro charge on low-value parcels in force since July 2026. The fee is meant to fund customs authorities.
The PP's election plan would cut VAT on new homes from 10% to 4% and allow mortgages of up to 50 years in some cases. It promises one million homes and would repeal the Ley de Vivienda (housing law). These are proposals, not law; Spain votes on November 29.
Contribution reform for autónomo (self-employed) workers remains blocked, leaving 3.5 million people unsure of their 2027 fees. The government froze 2026 rates after criticism of proposed rises. Negotiations now await the next government after the November 29 election.
A judge sent an 18-year-old to prison over his alleged role in organising Barcelona's October 24 looting, when about 30 shops were looted and 133 people arrested. Heavy policing prevented repeat incidents on October 31. On November 1, police arrested two young people in Fuengirola for calling for looting.
Average contract length fell from 54 to 45 days between 2021 and 2026, a USO union report finds. Permanent contracts rose from 10.6% to 42% of signings, but 21% of contracts still last a week or less. Agreed wage rises of 17.89% also trailed accumulated inflation of 25.9%.
World Chocolate Masters champion Lluc Crusellas has taken over Fargas in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. The shop reopens on Thursday, November 5, keeping its protected wooden counters, old mill, and stone-ground chocolate. Its existing lease gives the historic business 10 years of stability.
Employers' group CEOE wants the government to bring back dismissal for absenteeism and calls for urgent action on rising sick leave. Talks with the Social Security ministry have made no progress, and talks with unions are stalled. Meanwhile, the metal sector is cutting sick-leave pay top-ups.
The cabinet is expected to approve a Royal Decree on November 3 with healthier food rules for hospitals, care homes, nurseries, and public centres. Vending machines would need at least 70% healthy products; meals would include daily fruit and vegetables. The rules would apply one year after BOE (official state gazette) publication.
A general strike over housing has been called for November 11, ahead of Spain's November 29 general election. An El País video analysis places it in a wider cycle of protest.
Sculptor Miquel Navarro, known for works such as El Parotet and La Pantera Rosa, died on November 1 at 81. He won Spain's national visual arts prize in 1986. A farewell takes place at his museum in Mislata on November 2.
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