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Spanish politics without the noise: coalition deals, regional elections, new laws, and EU relations. Short summaries of what was decided in Madrid — and what it means for people living in Spain.
Get politics news in your inbox every morning →The Supreme Court rules out suspending all overseas voting. Ministers must identify 163,020 Ley de Nietos (grandchildren's law) beneficiaries whose voting rights it suspended for lacking proof of descent from forced exiles. The deadline expires on October 28 at 15.00, ahead of the November 29 election.
→ Read the full digestThe government says it is working to prevent violence around the November 11 housing general strike after riots in Barcelona and Bilbao. It distinguishes the rioters from the unions calling the strike and expects it to proceed normally. PP and Vox are making insecurity a campaign issue.
→ Read the full digestThe government plans to put two housing decrees to Congress on November 12, though the date is not confirmed. The cabinet approved them on October 6, and they await a Congress vote. PP, Vox, and Junts defeated earlier versions; the planned vote falls a day after the housing general strike.
→ Read the full digestThe European Commission proposes expanding Frontex to 30,000 agents, including a 17,000-agent rapid reaction force. The plan would give the agency a larger role in deportations, including transfers to planned centres outside Europe. The proposal has not been adopted.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged on October 26 to reform the Constitution to protect pension rises linked to CPI (consumer price index) if he stays in government after the November 29 election. It is an electoral pledge with no formal proposal. An ordinary reform needs 210 deputies; a majority in Congress is 176 seats.
→ Read the full digestA PP-Vox Senate pact could win 156 to 167 seats in the November 29 election, according to an El Mundo projection based on a Sigma Dos poll. Reaching 161 would let the parties appoint four Constitutional Court magistrates without PSOE, ending the court's progressive majority. The projection depends on voting patterns.
→ Read the full digestA total of 130 people, mostly minors, were arrested after October 24 protests in Barcelona ended in looting, fires, and clashes. Anonymous social media accounts spread the call as a protest over secondary schools. Mayor Jaume Collboni put damage to street furniture at about 36,000 euros and said the city will support affected shops.
→ Read the full digestA CEU-CEFAS study estimates that Ley de Nietos added about 250,000 voters to Spain's overseas electoral roll, 87,000 above the government's count. Their voting rights are suspended for the November 29 election. The Supreme Court's deadline for the government to hand over their list ends about October 28.
→ Read the full digestBasque police arrested 19 people after vehicles and bins burned in Bilbao on October 26. Around 300 youths were involved after most people left a protest against a cancelled appearance by influencer Vito Quiles. Fires burned a Local Police motorbike and about six cars.
→ Read the full digestBarcelona's October 24 riots led to 128 arrests and 23 looted shops. The unrest has fuelled unfounded accusations between parties ahead of the November 29 general election. Social media groups are calling for further gatherings on October 31.
→ Read the full digestProsecutors want to charge former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero with embezzlement over undeclared jewels initially valued at €1.3 million. His official list of nearly 500 gifts included no jewellery. The investigating judge requested a certified record on October 23.
→ Read the full digestThousands marched in Madrid on October 24, demanding pension rises that match actual inflation and rejecting privatisation. The Government Delegation counted 25,000 people; organisers said 50,000. With inflation at 4.9%, pensions have entered the debate ahead of the November 29 election.
→ Read the full digestA general strike over housing is planned for November 11. The employers' association will not challenge the call. The action draws on the feminist strikes of 2018 and 2019, which went beyond traditional workplace demands.
→ Read the full digestPP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo's campaign proposals would cut taxes from 2027, with 0% VAT on basic foods and electricity while inflation persists. Autónomos (self-employed) billing under €85,000 annually would be exempt from VAT. He also pledged one million homes in four years; these are not enacted measures.
→ Read the full digestOnly 91 of 31,390 reviewed files had yielded voting certificates by October 21. The Supreme Court orders the government to name 163,020 people affected by the Ley de Nietos voting suspension by 15:00 on October 28. Overseas election mailings start October 24; affected voters need proof of descent from exiles to vote on November 29.
→ Read the full digestThe Audiencia Nacional has applied the amnesty law to 12 Catalan CDR activists accused of terrorism and closed their case. Judges said the acts fell within the law and did not amount to serious human rights violations. The decision follows the EU Court of Justice's ruling upholding the law three months earlier.
→ Read the full digestAnti-corruption prosecutors say former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero may have committed embezzlement of public funds. They say he accepted valuable jewels from Saudi Arabia and did not hand them to the state heritage office. Their assessment concerns a possible offence, not a court ruling.
→ Read the full digestKing Felipe VI urged daily care for democracy and its institutions at the Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo on October 23. He said democratic commitment does not end with elections and defended the inclusive spirit of the 1978 Constitution. His appeal comes ahead of the November 29 general election.
→ Read the full digestSpain's disability and dependency law reform takes effect on October 23. It cuts the maximum recognition wait from six to three months, allows benefits and services to be combined, and makes telecare a right. The state must fund 50% of the dependency system, with €6.2 billion extra for regions in 2026–2027.
→ Read the full digestThree citizens naturalized under the Ley de Nietos have appealed a Supreme Court order suspending their vote on November 29. The main case concerns presumed exile status for people who fled Spain in 1936–1955. Those with a consular certificate proving the qualifying family exile are exempt from the suspension.
→ Read the full digestThe PSOE has accepted a November 16 private-channel debate between Socialist prime ministerial candidate Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. A separate four-way debate remains disputed: the PSOE wants TVE, while the PP rejects it and proposes Atresmedia.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court meets on October 22 to review voting rules affecting 160,000 citizens naturalised under the Ley de Nietos. Affected parties must file submissions by October 23. Restrictions remain in force after the Constitutional Court rejected an appeal as premature on October 21; the Supreme Court must still rule on the merits.
→ Read the full digestPartido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo promised on October 21 that, if elected, his government would approve three housing laws in its first 100 days. One would allow squatter evictions within 48 hours. He also promised tax deductions for tenants and owners, and one million homes. These are campaign promises.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court granted amnesty to former Catalan vice-president and ERC leader Oriol Junqueras and former Catalan ministers Raül Romeva, Jordi Turull, and Dolors Bassa. The ruling follows the Constitutional Court's endorsement of amnesty for embezzlement, the crime for which all four were convicted.
→ Read the full digestThe cabinet approved a Royal Decree-law that would give unmarried partners who had already claimed one year to access a widow's pension. It covers past deaths where the couple had children, lived together for over two years, and were not married or registered partners. Parliament must validate it within one month.
→ Read the full digestThe PP and Vox are reportedly exploring a Senate alliance after PSOE and Frente Amplio registered a coalition seeking to end the PP's absolute majority. The Senate helps choose members of the Constitutional Court and other key bodies, which need reinforced majorities.
→ Read the full digestA total of 48 consular offices have wholly or partly verified voting eligibility for citizens naturalised under the Ley de Nietos (grandchildren's law). Under a Supreme Court ruling, only those verified as descendants of exiles can vote in the November 29, 2026, elections.
→ Read the full digestStreet protests and a possible general strike have become campaign issues ahead of the November 29 election. The government sees left-wing mobilisation as helpful, while opponents criticise the protests and draw comparisons with France.
→ Read the full digestPP leader and prime ministerial candidate Alberto Núñez Feijóo has signed a 12-point election pledge ahead of November 29. His promises include one million new homes, pension increases, lower taxes, and changes to immigration policy. These are campaign commitments, not measures in force.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged to raise the SMI (minimum wage) every year he governs, after the November 29 election. He also promised four more years of pension increases. He argued that higher wages would help the public pension system stay solvent.
→ Read the full digestSupreme Court judge Pablo Llarena has upheld the lifting of arrest warrants for former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and two former regional ministers. He said Constitutional Court doctrine must apply despite his disagreement. The Supreme Court's trial chamber must decide on Puigdemont's amnesty. The order can still be appealed.
→ Read the full digestA Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo projects a Senate majority for PP, Vox, and UPN after November 29, but at least six seats short of the 161 needed for Constitutional Court appointments. If they run separately, PP would win 125-130 seats and Vox 15-22. An absolute majority requires 134 seats.
→ Read the full digestA man granted Spanish nationality under the Ley de Nietos has asked the Constitutional Court to let him vote on November 29. He seeks to join the ombudsman's appeal and to overturn a Supreme Court suspension. The case is pending, and the suspension remains in place.
→ Read the full digestA Social Security Royal Decree-law planned for cabinet approval on October 20 would improve several benefits. Gender violence victims on sick leave would receive 60% of base salary through day 20 and 75% after. Parliament's standing committee would need to confirm it within a month; the government needs left-wing and PNV support.
→ Read the full digestThe Constitutional Court begins considering on October 19 whether to admit the ombudsman's appeal over voting rights suspended for more than 160,000 Spaniards abroad under the Ley de Nietos. The Supreme Court's interim order remains in force. The Foreign Ministry says some consulates cannot compile all data before the November 29 election.
→ Read the full digestA Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo projects 201 seats combined for PP and Vox in the November 29 election. Its most likely scenario gives PP 136 seats and Vox 65, against 117 for PSOE, Frente Amplio, and Podemos. The survey was conducted in the first half of October.
→ Read the full digestPP leader and prime ministerial candidate Alberto Núñez Feijóo urged Catalonia on October 18 to deliver a large majority for a change of government. His appeal comes ahead of the November 29 general election.
→ Read the full digestERC lead candidate and congressional spokesman Gabriel Rufián apologised for the left's failure to unite ahead of the November 29 election. In an interview broadcast on October 17, he urged disillusioned supporters to vote and said he wished Podemos and Frente Amplio had reached an agreement.
→ Read the full digestSánchez and Feijóo both see the campaign moving their way, but experts see a map that favours a PP-Vox option. Sánchez launched his pre-campaign on October 17 for the November 29 election and warned of PP pension cuts. Feijóo sees Mínguez's resignation as weakening the PSOE's housing message.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court upheld a temporary voting suspension affecting 163,020 people nationalised through the Ley de Nietos for the November 29 election. It applies to those granted nationality under a later instruction presuming exile status. Those covered directly by the law can vote; legal challenges remain open.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Ombudsman asked the Constitutional Court on October 16 to urgently lift the voting suspension affecting citizens naturalised under the Ley de Nietos. The appeal is pending. The Supreme Court upheld the suspension on October 12. The outcome will decide whether affected citizens can vote on November 29, 2026.
→ Read the full digestSpain, backed by Portugal, Luxembourg, and France, blocked EU summit wording aimed at its migrant regularisation process. Denmark, Poland, and Italy sought language against measures that could create a "pull effect". The final conclusions do not mention Spain's migration management.
→ Read the full digestPSOE and several left-wing and regional parties have agreed joint Senate lists for the November 29 election under "Senado de Progreso". They aim to challenge the PP's previous absolute majority. Podemos remains outside the pact, and whether it will field Senate candidates is unclear.
→ Read the full digestFrente Amplio registered its nationwide coalition without Podemos after talks failed before the deadline. They will compete separately in most constituencies on November 29, potentially splitting the left-wing vote. Joint lists survived only in the Canary Islands and the Valencian Community.
→ Read the full digestPSOE spokesperson Montse Mínguez announced on October 16 that she is leaving politics following controversy over her partner's property holdings. She is giving up all party posts and will not seek re-election to Congress. She was due to head the PSOE list for Lleida.
→ Read the full digestThe Census Office has received no updated data on the 163.000 people naturalized under the 'ley de nietos' whose votes the Supreme Court suspended on September 10. Exteriores has gone 36 days without sending the records; without them, the affected voters cannot cast ballots unless consulates certify they are descendants of exiles.
→ Read the full digestJuanma Moreno's government (PP-Vox) will appeal the Maricarmen housing decrees before the Constitutional Court. They suspend evictions of vulnerable people and extend the vulture-fund purchase veto until 2030. Rejected in Congress, they were re-approved in the Diputación Permanente after Sánchez called elections for November 29.
→ Read the full digestThe Defense Ministry has sent El Diario's information, including audio recordings of soldiers boasting of beating migrants in Ceuta, to the court and the Fiscalía. The ministry said the move aims to preserve the good name of the Armed Forces. The case follows an Amnesty International complaint about alleged torture and cruel treatment.
→ Read the full digestRetirees with more than 40 years of contributions but reduced pensions from early-retirement coefficients are pressing for a law to eliminate those reductions before the elections. One Barcelona resident retired at 61 with a 27% pension cut. The measure remains a pending demand.
→ Read the full digestEl Diario has published audio recordings in which at least three Spanish soldiers on duty in Ceuta describe assaults on migrants and laugh about the degrading treatment. The conversation took place on the night of September 21-22. Amnesty International has reported torture by Spanish Armed Forces personnel.
→ Read the full digestThe European Commission warned that member states cannot require more than five years of residency before granting housing and social benefits. It was responding to MEP Vicent Marzà, who cited clauses in Spanish regional agreements, such as Aragón's. The Commission said it will act against any "national priority" policy that discriminates against long-term foreign residents.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court suspended voting rights for 163.020 Spaniards naturalized under the ley de nietos for the 29 November elections. They can still vote if they present a consular certificate showing that their ancestors fled the Civil War or the Franco dictatorship between 1936 and 1955 for political, ideological or sexual-orientation reasons. Many naturalized Argentinians reject the decision.
→ Read the full digestFelipe VI stated that "Ceuta is Spain" and urged institutional unity in managing the migrant crisis. He said those who entered irregularly must return to their places of origin "as soon as possible and through established legal channels." The remarks set the political tone on irregular migration and border policy in Spain.
→ Read the full digestGuardia Civil associations warn that migrants are arriving in high-speed narcolanchas used by drug traffickers, especially off Murcia and Baleares. Officials say these boats can carry 60 or 70 people and make the crossing from Algeria to Murcia in three or four hours. The activity is intensifying as drug mafias diversify into people smuggling.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court confirmed the suspension of voting rights for more than 163.020 Spaniards who acquired nationality under the 'nietos' law ahead of the 29N general election, according to El Diario. Only those with a consular certificate proving their ancestors' exile may vote; those who relied on the 1936-1955 presumption are excluded. The government says carrying out the order is "materially impossible."
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish Navy deployed up to three vessels after Moroccan warships entered Ceuta's waters without authorization, El Diario reported. The incursions coincided with mass migrant arrivals through Tarajal; Mohamed VI rejects cooperation under "any pressure, threat or blackmail." King Felipe VI is visiting Ceuta and Melilla, the first royal visit since 2007.
→ Read the full digestPedro Sánchez asked the Tribunal Supremo to intervene against what he called an attempted "atropello" against the ley de nietos. He accused Feijóo and Abascal of trying to block the vote of 400.000 descendants of Spaniards exiled during the Franco regime. The court case could decide nationality access for many descendants abroad.
→ Read the full digestResidents in peripheral Ceuta neighborhoods such as Los Rosales say they live in fear ahead of the King and Queen's visit. The eviction of the El Trampolín shantytown pushed more migrants into their streets after more than 80.000 entered through Tarajal in late July. Some elderly residents say they no longer leave home.
→ Read the full digestPedro Sánchez is preparing a package of immediate-impact measures for approval before the November 29 election: a minimum wage (SMI) rise, pension revaluation, and housing decrees. The housing decrees were relaunched via the Diputación Permanente after Junts rejected them. The SMI increase will come two months earlier than expected.
→ Read the full digestTestimonies from migrants describe forced and deceptive returns from Ceuta to Morocco after the dismantling of the El Trampolín camp, contradicting government accounts that returns were voluntary. Minister Ángel Víctor Torres put the number of migrant returns at 11.026, including 513 expulsions. A 19-year-old man interviewed by El Mundo said he was returned against his will.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court is accelerating a decision on its precautionary suspension of the Ley de Nietos, which halted voting for people naturalized through that route. The early election call for November 29 created urgency. The court will decide what to do with the suspension, determining whether those citizens can vote.
→ Read the full digestMorocco's King Mohamed VI said relations with Spain are a "sovereign choice" and cannot be subject to threats or blackmail. He denounced the "instrumentalization" of what happened in Ceuta in July, when more than 80.000 migrants entered from Morocco. He also criticized delays in the repatriation of minors, speaking publicly for the first time about the events.
→ Read the full digestThe Public Prosecutor's Office has asked the Supreme Court to lift the suspension of the so-called "ley de nietos" ahead of the November 29 election. It stressed the problem of using a census closed on August 1 and the suspension potentially blocking registrations. The September measures suspended voting and new census registrations except for accredited exiles.
→ Read the full digestA CIS survey of 6.000 interviews found that 76% favour state intervention to guarantee access to housing and 70% support freezing rental prices for two years. It also found that 86% are worried about the housing situation.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court has postponed its decision on whether around 400.000 people nationalised under the 'ley de nietos' can vote in the November 29 general election. Parties have until 15:00 Thursday to file arguments in the State Attorney's appeal against the suspension of CERA electoral roll registrations. The suspension followed appeals by Vox and Iustitia Europa, which alleged a 'gigantic and massive fraud'.
→ Read the full digestThe Constitutional Court has upheld amnesty for the embezzlement offence affecting 'procés' leaders such as Carles Puigdemont and ordered the Supreme Court to apply it. The progressive majority backed a draft by court president Cándido Conde-Pumpido to amnesty former ERC councillor Dolors Bassa, annulling earlier orders that denied it. Conservative magistrates issued a dissenting opinion, accusing colleagues of 'impersonating' the Supreme Court.
→ Read the full digestMadrid's Prosecutor's Office confirmed in 2025 that 346 people who presented as unaccompanied foreign minors were actually over 18, according to El Confidencial. A total of 611 age-determination proceedings were opened, down 33% from 911 the previous year, with 240 confirmed minors recorded. Prosecutors urged reflection on 'failures in the system's filters' and warned of risks of adults living alongside children in first-reception centres.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced early general elections for November 29, framing the vote as a choice between an "ultra-right wave" and a progressive government. The announcement puts housing, tax and migration legislation on hold during the campaign.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court has provisionally suspended the vote of Spaniards nationalized under the Ley de Nietos who have not proven their descent from exiles to consulates. The measure affects the CERA electoral census for the November 29 general election.
→ Read the full digestThe government is preparing to call early general elections and revive the housing decrees that the right struck down in Congress on Friday. An announcement could come in the next few hours, possibly Monday morning. The political shift follows the eviction of an 87-year-old woman and mobilizations led by the Sindicato de Inquilinas.
→ Read the full digestNational Police completed the operation to clear the El Trampolín beach camp in Ceuta, relocating more than 1,100 migrants without major incidents. Many opted for voluntary return to Morocco, while others were registered at the CATE temporary center. Authorities estimated that over 3.500 people had been living in the settlement.
→ Read the full digestThe parties within Sumar will officially launch their general election candidacy and coalition brand on October 17 under the name Frente Amplio. The launch will take place regardless of whether early elections are called. The move sets the left coalition's electoral identity for the next campaign.
→ Read the full digestPedro Sánchez will spend this weekend analyzing the defeat of both housing decree-laws and public reaction before deciding whether to call early general elections. An early vote would freeze pending housing, residency and tax measures and reshape the legislative calendar for foreign residents.
→ Read the full digestSpain was the only EU country to vote against a new return regulation that facilitates the expulsion of irregular migrants and supports deportation centres in third countries. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said no migrant who arrived in Ceuta reached another EU country. Only Belgium and Ireland abstained.
→ Read the full digestKing Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Ceuta on October 13 and Melilla on October 14. It will be the first royal visit since Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía visited in 2007. Pedro Sánchez will not attend.
→ Read the full digestItaly is extending border checks on passengers arriving from Spain by sea or air for another 15 days, citing persistent conditions after the mass entry of migrants into Ceuta in late July. Travelers may face additional checks on routes to Italy.
→ Read the full digestThe government denies a claim by the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, that he tried to contact Sánchez's office ten times before large numbers of migrants entered Ceuta in late July. Government sources say phone records exist and warn that he is playing a very dangerous game.
→ Read the full digestTwo months after more than 70.000 immigrants entered Ceuta on July 30, thousands remain in improvised camps and on the streets. Only two officials have resigned—government delegate Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano and his chief of staff Gonzalo Sanz. A judicial investigation is open into the events of July 30-31 after declassified documents warned of mass crossings.
→ Read the full digestKing Felipe VI called the mass entry of tens of thousands of people into Ceuta 'unacceptable' and urged EU member states to share responsibility for protecting the bloc's external border. He said countries under greater border pressure cannot bear alone a responsibility that belongs to everyone. He spoke at a dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron.
→ Read the full digestMiguel Ángel Pérez Triano resigned as government delegate in Ceuta and left political life, denouncing a campaign of harassment after the July 30-31 mass entry of immigrants. His chief of staff had already resigned, accusing him of lying about prior warnings.
→ Read the full digestA draft Real Decreto-Ley to speed up migrant expulsions in Ceuta would violate basic guarantees of the EU migration pact, legal sources say. The text would suspend asylum safeguards, breach the 'principio de no devolución' (non-refoulement), and apply retroactively to protection requests pending since July 30. It goes to the Council of Ministers on Tuesday.
→ Read the full digestParliamentary groups resume negotiations this week on a law that would ban social media for minors under 16. The text, in Congress since April 2025, will be debated on Tuesday in the Justice Commission. PSOE and Sumar also want new offences for platforms amplifying self-harm, sexual deepfakes or hate content.
→ Read the full digestMore than 300 National Police officers evacuated migrants camped around Ceuta's desalination plant early Sunday, citing security risks at the strategic water facility. The migrants, who had entered on July 30 and 31, were moved to the vicinity of the Fábrica del Guano.
→ Read the full digestThe "ley de nietos" (grandchildren law) has generated more than 2.4 million applications for Spanish nationality of origin. It stems from the 2022 Ley de Memoria Democrática as historical reparations. An opinion piece asks what link should be required for nationality, residence and voting rights.
→ Read the full digestThe first warning of a planned mass crossing at Ceuta came via a WhatsApp message from the CNI on July 29. The message alerted the Delegation to a call to storm the fence and sea at 20:00 the next day; groups behind it had around 180,000 followers. Officials dismissed it as "Sus rilas".
→ Read the full digestAround 20,000 people joined the second "Marcha por la Dignidad" in Madrid to protest the government's handling of the Ceuta crisis and demand early elections. The march was organized by Sociedad Civil Española and attended by Vox leader Santiago Abascal and PP secretary general Miguel Tellado. Protesters chanted against Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and President Pedro Sánchez.
→ Read the full digestThe DGT's reform of the General Traffic Regulations enters into force on October 1, 2026. Motorcycle and moped riders must wear gloves on interurban roads and closed-toe footwear on all roads, with new rules for using the hard shoulder in congestion. Violations are serious infractions carrying a 200 euro fine.
→ Read the full digestThe Government has commissioned jurists to find legal formulas to shorten asylum processing and speed up returns after the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta on July 30. Minister Ángel Víctor Torres said mechanisms are being studied to reduce the three-month period under the EU Migration Pact. Reforms would apply to future emergencies, not the current Ceuta situation.
→ Read the full digestelDiario.es verified videos showing uniformed soldiers beating migrants in Ceuta during the recent mass entry. The Government expressed 'total consternation and condemnation' and opened an investigation. Two dozen migrants had previously reported beatings and humiliation.
→ Read the full digestThe Central Electoral Board approved stricter requirements for voters abroad to justify the municipality and constituency where they vote. The rule affects those naturalized under the 'ley de nietos'. If no municipality is given, the Consular Office will determine it.
→ Read the full digestThe PP will force a Senate vote on reforming the Ley de Extranjería to permit "hot returns" of migrants arriving by sea. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that current law does not authorize returns for people who swim to Ceuta or Melilla. The change would remove the "elementos de contención" requirement and could shift border enforcement.
→ Read the full digestThe DGT confirmed that 17-year-olds will be able to take driving tests and obtain a B license under EU Directive 2025/2205. Drivers must be accompanied by a supervisor in the passenger seat until they turn 18. Spain plans to apply the measure by November 26, 2028.
→ Read the full digestThe government is working to shorten administrative and judicial deadlines for expelling migrants who do not qualify for asylum; current limits are 12 weeks. Interior Minister Marlaska will ask the EU next week to relax rules in exceptional situations like Tarajal. Ángel Víctor Torres is negotiating with Ceuta's president, Vivas, to house 3,500 people.
→ Read the full digestThe Constitutional Court's progressive majority will draft a ruling to amnesty embezzlement charges against Carles Puigdemont and other procés leaders, potentially allowing Puigdemont to return without arrest. The plenary rejected conservative magistrate José María Macías's opposing draft ruling. The next plenary is October 6.
→ Read the full digestCeuta is now processing more than 105 triage assessments for adult migrants per day, with an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 people still on the streets. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares will meet his Moroccan counterpart in New York this week, and Morocco says it will take "necessary measures" to prevent another mass entry.
→ Read the full digestThe State Legal Service has appealed the Supreme Court's precautionary ruling limiting voting rights for descendants of Franco-era exiles. It argues the decision exceeds the limits of the precautionary measure and rules on a 2022 instruction that was not challenged in the process. People who gained nationality under the grandchildren law could see voting rights affected.
→ Read the full digestSub-Saharan asylum seekers in Ceuta wait over three months to formalize their requests, with one person who arrived in late July given a Nov. 2 appointment. The government has also sent Guardia Civil reinforcements to Melilla after calls on social media for new mass entry attempts on Sept. 20 and 23.
→ Read the full digestPedro Sánchez described the Supreme Court's suspension of voting rights for 400,000 Spaniards abroad under the 'ley de nietos' as 'very serious' and said he would not forgive PP and Vox. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo proposed an 'orderly' migration policy and a review of how nationality is granted, maintained and lost.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government has activated more than 6,000 reception places in Ceuta, but thousands of migrants remain without shelter. Ceuta's president, Juan Jesús Vivas, blocks transfers of minors to the mainland, drawing direct accusations from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after 50 days of clashes. Separately, the Audiencia Nacional admitted a police union appeal against a migrant reception facility at Ceuta's port.
→ Read the full digestSpain's attempt to clear Ceuta's beaches failed as migrants remained, and experts now estimate up to 20,000 irregular migrants in the enclave. Separately, the prosecutor for minors opened an investigation into alleged physical and psychological abuse at a center for migrant girls, including reports of violence and restricted healthcare access.
→ Read the full digestPedro Sánchez announced that the government is preparing a royal decree requiring each university degree program to have 50% of professors with a doctorate. The rule tightens the current university-wide 50% requirement and will also require in-person classes where necessary.
→ Read the full digestInterior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska asked the EU to speed up returns after 80,000 people entered Ceuta on July 30; more than 10,000 remain. The European Parliament linked Spain's extraordinary regularization to a "pull effect" and warned Morocco over sovereignty. PP and Vox demand that irregular entrants be returned.
→ Read the full digestThe government will challenge the Supreme Court's suspension of CERA voter registration for newly naturalized citizens under the "Ley de nietos". The state legal service is weighing an appeal for reconsideration and a nullity incident to get the case to the Constitutional Court quickly. The aim is to let new citizens vote in upcoming elections.
→ Read the full digestThe Audiencia Nacional has temporarily halted the government's migrant camp in Ceuta port, which was set up for 800 migrants. The SUP police union filed an urgent appeal. The court has required the Transport Ministry to deliver the file and has summoned local officials as witnesses.
→ Read the full digestMinister Félix Bolaños accused the Supreme Court of altering the electoral census by suspending voting rights for CERA-registered people who obtained nationality through the 'ley de nietos'. He demanded a final ruling before 2027, saying there are now first-class and second-class Spaniards.
→ Read the full digestPP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo announced an organic law to withdraw Spanish nationality from foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, terrorism, or repeated rape. He called nationality 'an act of trust' that must be maintained.
→ Read the full digestThe PP pushed the European People's Party to raise Morocco's role in the Ceuta border crisis at EU institutions. Around 80,000 people entered Ceuta on July 30 and 31, and Morocco offered to take back 10,000 migrants. The PP describes Morocco's behavior as a 'hybrid war'.
→ Read the full digestThe government extended border controls on air and sea connections with Italy for 15 days, responding to Italy's similar measure after the Ceuta migrant influx. Temporary controls may affect travel between Spain and Italy.
→ Read the full digestPresident Pedro Sánchez says about 200 migrants who entered Ceuta on July 30 are voluntarily returning to Morocco each day. The government aims to approach 10,000 active reception places and has asked Ceuta residents for patience and empathy while cases are processed. Sánchez called the situation a humanitarian crisis and admitted that capacity is not sufficient for the future.
→ Read the full digestThe European Commission warned in May that Spain lacks a tested contingency plan for mass migrant arrivals and has border staff shortages. Spain recorded 19 deficiencies in the 2026 Schengen report, the highest in the EU. Brussels unlocked €115 million for Ceuta, reinforced Frontex, and moved 864 migrants to a new temporary facility in Los Rosales.
→ Read the full digestMinister Félix Bolaños called the Supreme Court's provisional suspension of voting rights for people nationalized under the 'ley de nietos' "legally very debatable." The measure affects those who obtained nationality through the Democratic Memory Law unless they can prove descent from exiles. Bolaños asked the court to resolve the issue before the 2027 elections.
→ Read the full digestMinister Sira Rego said 2,100 migrant minors are registered in Ceuta's reception system, including 700 girls. She asked regional governments to take responsibility for transferring them to the Spanish mainland, and called for political will to ease pressure on the city.
→ Read the full digestThousands of teachers and families protested in València, Alicante and Castelló against the Valencian government's public education policies. The protests, called by Plataforma per l'Ensenyament Públic, demanded more teachers and lower student-teacher ratios; 87% of teachers rejected the Conselleria's comprehensive agreement. Unions also oppose changes to educational inspection functions.
→ Read the full digestThree unaccompanied migrant minors say Spain forcibly returned them to Morocco without applying the legal procedure required by the Ley de Extranjería. They arrived in Ceuta during the mass entry at the end of August. Videos and images obtained by elDiario.es show night operations at the Tarajal border involving Guardia Civil agents.
→ Read the full digestThe Prosecutor's Office reports more than 30 proceedings for sexual assaults on migrant women in Ceuta since the July 30 mass entry. In 40% of cases, the victims were unaccompanied minors. The government has provided 500 places on the mainland to speed up transfers of migrant children.
→ Read the full digestMadrid's president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, will file objections with the Junta Electoral Central to exclude voters with 'greater ties' from the CERA census. She wants the expansion to include only voters abroad whose last residence was Madrid. The move follows the Supreme Court's suspension of the census for those who obtained nationality under the Ley de Nietos.
→ Read the full digestDeclassified CNI reports and WhatsApp conversations show the Government Delegation in Ceuta was warned in advance about a mass arrival of migrants and either ignored or downplayed the alerts. At 21:00, the beach next to the autonomous city was overflowing with hundreds of people preparing to swim to Ceuta; half an hour later, the delegation's chief of staff called the CNI liaison after no contact for seven hours. The Government has opened a crisis with the CNI, accusing it of ignoring alerts for 72 hours. The row fuels political debate on migration and border management.
→ Read the full digestThe Fiscalía's 2025 report says crime by children under 14, who are not criminally liable, rose 74.21%. Cases archived because those investigated were under 14 totaled 7,749, up from 4,448 a year earlier. Gender violence cases among minors rose 15.20% to 1,023, the highest in five years, and crimes against sexual freedom rose 35.82%. The Fiscalía links the trend to social media abuse and disinformation targeting minors.
→ Read the full digestDeclassified Moncloa documents show Spanish intelligence warned the government and Morocco on July 29, one day before mass border crossings into Ceuta. The CNI had detected a WhatsApp group called 'Asalto a la valla de Ceuta' and Facebook groups with nearly 180,000 users calling for entry. More than 70,000 people crossed, undermining Pedro Sánchez's claim that the scale was unforeseeable.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court suspended new voter registrations under the 'ley de nietos' at the request of Vox and Iustitia Europa. The precautionary measure affects CERA electoral registrations for up to 2.3 million people who obtained nationality through the law. The court aims to rule within about three months, before the May municipal and regional elections and the general election due by July. The government and the Prosecutor's Office opposed the suspension.
→ Read the full digestSpanish 15-year-olds posted their worst-ever PISA results in reading, math and science in the 2025 edition. Spain scored 451 in reading, 23 points below its 2022 score of 474, and 457 in math, 16 points below its 2022 score of 473. The OECD did not include Catalonia's data because of a high student exclusion rate. The results leave students about half a school year behind the OECD average in reading.
→ Read the full digestThe president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, asked the EU for a stronger border presence and special status for the city after the arrival of 80,000 people, which he called an unprecedented invasion. He accused Morocco of seeking to asphyxiate, harass and dismantle the city, and criticised the Spanish government for not being up to the task. The Council of Ministers announced on Tuesday that police reports related to the episode will be declassified.
→ Read the full digestProsecutors and the State Legal Service oppose suspending the new CERA registrations caused by the 'ley de nietos' (grandchildren law), saying that would amount to reviewing nationality grants. The Supreme Court has heard Vox and Iustitia Europa's requests for interim measures against the July 16 JEC agreement on applying the law. Vox's Jorge Buxadé warned of 'massive fraud' and cited 29,000 new electors in two months and 403,466 more since 2023. Iustitia Europa's Luis María Pardo said the aim was to challenge electoral and census effects, not to strip anyone of nationality.
→ Read the full digestInvestigating judge María Tardón has taken over the investigation into the mass entry into Ceuta in late July, saying it was a grave attack on Spain's territorial integrity and alleging facilitation from Morocco. The ruling describes a 'grave attack on Spain's territorial integrity' and says Moroccan security forces showed 'permissiveness'. The judge says the facts may constitute crimes against state peace or independence, crimes against foreign citizens' rights, reckless homicide and criminal organization. The National Police's CENIF report warned on July 29 of an 'extreme risk' of mass entry.
→ Read the full digestRoad deaths in Spain rose 4% in July-August to 240, despite a record 102 million long-distance trips. August recorded 130 deaths, 15 more than a year earlier; July had 110 deaths, five fewer. Hospitalized traffic injuries fell 10% to 926. Motorcyclist deaths fell to 54, 18 fewer than last year, the first summer since 2014 with fewer than one motorcyclist death per day. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska says he will again seek to lower the legal driving blood-alcohol limit to 0.2 grams per liter.
→ Read the full digestThe cost of Ceuta's migrant crisis is approaching €500 million for taxpayers, and the city warns of a bankruptcy risk. More than 70,000 people entered during the crisis; about 7,000 remain. The government announced a €309 million shock plan, but finance councilor Kissy Chandiramani says €208 million of it covers security and reception, which are mainly state responsibilities; the aid runs only until December.
→ Read the full digestERC is abandoning its traditionally open-border stance on immigration, with Oriol Junqueras saying Catalonia cannot take in migrants “infinitely.” The shift comes amid the Ceuta crisis and after the Spanish government proposed distributing unaccompanied minors among regions. JxCat has also moved toward immigration control, while Aliança Catalana, led by Sílvia Orriols, rises in the polls.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government took control of Ceuta's port to set up migrant humanitarian spaces, authorizing 16,000 sq m of port land. Ceuta's government called the move a "grave error" and said returns to Morocco should be the priority. Canary Islands Vice President Manuel Domínguez urged border closures after 85 deaths in one patera, with about 49,000 irregular arrivals in 2024.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Interior Ministry extended controls at air and sea borders for travelers from Italy for 15 days, from 00:00 on Sept. 8 to 24:00 on Sept. 22, 2026. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska signed the order after Italy prolonged its Schengen suspension with Spain. The measure will remain under ongoing evaluation and can be lifted early if threats disappear. Travelers may face additional checks and delays.
→ Read the full digestMore than a month after over 70,000 people arrived in Ceuta, hundreds of minors and thousands of adults remain outdoors in unsanitary conditions with insufficient food. The Interior Ministry says most arrivals have returned to Morocco, but the government refuses transfers to the peninsula despite available space in the state reception network. Tension is rising between migrants and the local population.
→ Read the full digestDenmark proposed that deportation centers outside the European Union be ready by the end of 2027 after meeting with Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Greece. The centers are not detention centers, according to Minister Morten Bodskov, and would offer a 'second chance' for irregular migrants who cannot return to their home countries. The initiative is part of transforming the EU asylum system.
→ Read the full digestSpain has asked the European Commission to create a specific European Fund for Climate Change Adaptation, financed with new resources including European debt instruments and a European levy on oil and gas sector profits. The request was made on Friday. Climate adaptation policies can affect energy prices and environmental regulations in Spain.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez said there was no evidence that Morocco planned or executed the mass migrant entry into Ceuta in late July. He promised to act "with firmness" if proof is verified. The Moroccan ambassador was summoned on Aug. 21. Sánchez described three phases: normal operations before July 30, a 10-hour period on July 30 when the Moroccan Gendarmerie allowed border crossings, and subsequent events.
→ Read the full digestA cayuco that left Gambia on Aug. 7 with 128 people was found adrift 120 kilometers south of Gran Canaria after 27 days at sea. Only 44 survivors remained. Five bodies were found on board but could not be recovered due to rough seas. Survivors were taken to Arguineguín dock and assisted by the Red Cross. Arrivals on the Canary Islands route have fallen almost 60% this year.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez has opened a debate in the EU to make Ceuta an "ultra-peripheral region." The status would give the city access to specific aid and financing regimes but would require reform of the EU Treaties. Current ultra-peripheral regions include the Canary Islands, French overseas territories, the Azores, and Madeira. Ceuta would be the first non-island territory in this group.
→ Read the full digestHundreds of thousands rallied in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, Sevilla and Bilbao over Ceuta after more than 70,000 people entered on July 30-31. A CENIF police report says Moroccan forces gave "active guidance" to migrants and that crossings were planned. Pedro Sánchez faces Congress on Thursday without allies; Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska demanded explanations from police director Francisco Pardo.
→ Read the full digestNational Police told a judge that Moroccan security forces planned and directed the July 30-31 crossing of about 80,000 people into Ceuta, contradicting Pedro Sánchez's version. The report says Moroccan gendarmes guided migrants in Castillejo and plainclothes agents pointed out where to cross. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said he was unaware and demanded explanations.
→ Read the full digestThe government approved three new reception locations in Ceuta to house migrants from the July 30 mass entry, aiming for more than 6,000 places. They include port plots, Housing Ministry land, and the K-8 military barracks. Ceuta's president Juan Jesús Vivas rejected planned sports centers. Minister Ángel Víctor Torres said the spaces aim to minimize disruption and speed up immigration procedures.
→ Read the full digestThe government has doubled temporary accommodation places for adult migrants in Ceuta from 1,800 to more than 3,300 in one week and aims for 6,000. Pedro Sánchez ruled out transferring migrants to the mainland. Authorities expelled 200 migrants after detentions for alleged crimes. The Prosecutor's Office recorded 23 sexual assaults in Ceuta in the last month, with eight suspects identified.
→ Read the full digestSince June, the Community of Madrid has required applicants to have empadronamiento (municipal registration) to obtain personal transport passes. The change affects thousands of young people, including students arriving for the academic year. A student without registration will see annual transport costs rise from €90 to €500.
→ Read the full digestSpain has extended border controls for passengers arriving by sea or air from Italy for 15 more days. The move responds to Italy's decision to prolong the suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain. Travelers between the two countries may face extra checks and delays.
→ Read the full digestMore than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta within hours on July 30–31. The government says 90%–95% returned within two days, but thousands remain. Official counts show 5,000 migrants still in Ceuta, including 1,500 minors; police sources estimate 8,000–10,000. Two reception centers in Loma Margarita and Loma Colmenar opened last week with insufficient capacity, and social unrest is growing.
→ Read the full digestOne month after 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, 5,000 to 8,000 remain on the streets; Pedro Sánchez imposed a single command only three weeks after the arrival. The EU is preparing Frontex, Europol and EUAA support following a request from Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The promised return of unaccompanied minors to Morocco is blocked by the 2021 conviction of two Ceuta officials for unlawfully returning 55 minors.
→ Read the full digestA boat with four outboard motors landed at Cala del Barco in Cartagena on August 19 carrying 62 people: 45 men, two women and 15 male minors. The skippers fled back out to sea without disembarking all the passengers. The Guardia Civil operates the SIVE system, but police unions protest the lack of resources. Regional president López Miras asks to deploy the military to protect Murcia's coasts.
→ Read the full digestInterior Minister Marlaska says 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, including 1,500 minors; 72,000 entered on July 30-31 and 70,000 returned. PP and Vox claim the real figure is around 20,000. The government announced €35 million for border reinforcement and requested Frontex, Europol, and EUAA support. Humanitarian aid for Ceuta rose from €6.4 million to €44.51 million, and CETI capacity rose 116% to 1,105 places.
→ Read the full digestMore than 100 migrants were detained for crimes in Ceuta, and their expulsion was requested. Officials recorded 17 sexual assaults, including seven rapes and 10 other assaults, with victims mostly vulnerable women. Humanitarian groups report rising intimidation and violence, leading some volunteers to leave. On Thursday, dozens blocked a Red Cross truck at Trampolín beach for over two hours, shouting 'the Red Cross is a mafia.'
→ Read the full digestBetween 8,000 and 10,000 migrants are living on Ceuta's streets as residents burned camps and blocked Red Cross vehicles. Police charged protesters; four soldiers were injured when about 30 migrants stoned them in Benzú, and 12 Moroccan nationals were detained. Military association AUME asks the Government to authorize 'proportionate' force, with over 400 police and Guardia Civil deployed.
→ Read the full digestThe Government and 14 autonomous communities approved €25 million for migrant child care in Ceuta, while Aragón, Extremadura, and Castilla y León refused to attend. The Government proposed four legal mechanisms to move about 1,500 unaccompanied minors to the mainland; PP-led regions reject any distribution. Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres said the facilities Ceuta offered would take months to become habitable.
→ Read the full digestThe government approved changes to asylum and immigration laws that speed up expulsions. CEAR called the reforms "regressive" and tougher than the EU Migration and Asylum Pact requires. The move follows the late-July mass entry of about 80,000 people into Ceuta, which left 8,000 foreigners stranded. Sánchez will appear in Congress on September 3. The changes affect asylum procedures and legal protections for foreign residents.
→ Read the full digestVox regional vice presidents in Castilla y León, Extremadura and Aragón will not attend the Infancy Sector Conference. They will legally challenge each file that does not involve returning unaccompanied minors to Morocco. The conference will discuss a €25 million transfer for Ceuta and the relocation of 500 minors, out of about 1,500 currently there.
→ Read the full digestMore than 2,000 people marched in Ceuta against government inaction after the mass migrant entry, demanding resignations. Police fired warning shots after radical groups caused tension at Trampolín beach. Separately, Morocco revived its historical claims over Ceuta and Melilla, but experts see the move as opportunistic and unlikely to escalate.
→ Read the full digestMorocco's Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, repeated Morocco's claim to Ceuta and Melilla during a religious celebration presided over by King Mohamed VI. The statement was made before Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and Prime Minister Aziz Ajanuch. This recurring claim highlights diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco.
→ Read the full digestIn Ceuta, seven schools have been vandalized and some parents say they will not send their children to school when the term starts on September 8. About 8,000 undocumented immigrants remain in the city; over 2,900 minors arrived from Morocco, but only 1,635 vacant school places exist. Sofía Carrión, a 32-year-old Peruvian mother, says she will keep her 9-year-old daughter home until it is safe.
→ Read the full digestSpain accepted Ceuta's demand for a single command and will name Ángel Víctor Torres as coordinator, nearly a month after 80,000 crossed from Morocco. Madrid also asked Brussels for emergency funds for border protection and reception, including for unaccompanied minors. Police warn that almost 10,000 migrants live on the streets and 091 calls have surged. Spain will send 45,000 vaccine doses; experts rejected Feijóo's call for confinement.
→ Read the full digestMore than 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco in the past month. Eight ministers, led by Defense Minister Margarita Robles, will testify before Congress starting on August 25. The Health Ministry has also called an urgent meeting for Monday to coordinate vaccine shipments for MMR, chickenpox, polio, tetanus, and diphtheria.
→ Read the full digestThree weeks after 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco, Ceuta remains overwhelmed, with thousands still on the streets and the CETI at its limit. Commercial losses have reached €27.7 million, and Minister Carlos Cuerpo will visit to provide aid, including €25 million for unaccompanied minors. Morocco has asked Spain to repatriate surviving migrants and the bodies of those who drowned in the crossing.
→ Read the full digestThe 2007 Spain-Morocco agreement on returning unaccompanied minors has never resulted in a repatriation since it entered into force in 2012. Ceuta has identified 2,168 unaccompanied minors, many of them still on the street without care. Secretary of State for Youth and Childhood, Rubén Pérez Correa, called the situation abnormal and urgent. Experts stress the pact is not a blanket authorization for returns.
→ Read the full digestSpain's identity checks on travelers from Italy, ordered after Italy suspended Schengen, have affected 7,696 people across Spanish airports as of August 22. Controls began August 8 and have covered 696 flights involving 1,144 agents. Checks are concentrated at Madrid-Barajas, El Prat, Málaga, Sevilla, Valencia, and island airports.
→ Read the full digestAbout 80,000 people entered through the El Tarajal border on July 30, which the president called a violation of territorial integrity. Thousands remain in Ceuta without adequate response two weeks later. The government says a solution will take time because Morocco is not cooperating on returning minors and asylum processes are slow. The crisis has also strained relations with European partners.
→ Read the full digestThe PP has filed 17 questions in the Senate demanding transparency on the CERA electoral census, linking its growth to the "ley de nietos". The overseas voter census now tops 2.7 million, with Madrid adding 114,815 voters, a 30.4% rise since May 2023. The party accuses the government of electoral engineering and wants to know how many new registrations come from the Democratic Memory Law.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Foreign Ministry sent a diplomatic message to Morocco rejecting its claims on Ceuta and Melilla. The response followed remarks by Morocco's Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi, who claimed a "historical right" over the two cities. Spain insists the cities are part of its territorial integrity and sovereignty, recognized internationally. The ministry also noted that Ceuta and Melilla are EU territory.
→ Read the full digestSpanish police arrested five people in two operations against networks smuggling migrants from Ceuta to the mainland. The groups used small boats and charged up to €9,000 per person. One operation involved arrests in Ceuta and La Línea de la Concepción in Cádiz.
→ Read the full digestThe government expects to start transferring 500 vulnerable girls from Ceuta to the mainland within "a few weeks", according to Secretary of State Rubén Pérez Correa. No formal proposal has yet been sent to the Ceuta executive, as requested by President Juan Manuel Vivas. The plan is part of the response to the Ceuta migrant crisis.
→ Read the full digestThe far-right group Save Europe Act will hold its first major rally in Spain at Barcelona's Sant Jaume Square on Saturday. The group, led by Austrian activist Martin Sellner and Dutch national Eva Vlaardingerbroek, advocates "mass remigration". Counter-protests are scheduled an hour before at the same location, and Mossos d'Esquadra will increase security. The Generalitat will report hate speech to the prosecutor's office.
→ Read the full digestThe European Commission said Spain has a duty to protect unaccompanied migrant minors who crossed into Ceuta and expects all irregular entrants to be returned to Morocco. Hours later, Ceuta suspended cleanup at El Trampolín beach after around 500 migrants returned, following relocation of over 1,200 people to two new shelters. The back-and-forth keeps border migration pressure high.
→ Read the full digestPolice and Civil Guard cleared more than 3,000 migrants from Trampolín beach on August 20. The Interior Ministry plans to move them to temporary centers, process asylum requests, or return them to Morocco. Separately, the Ministry of Youth and Childhood is developing a plan to transfer about 500 unaccompanied migrant girls from Ceuta to the mainland without transferring guardianship to regional governments.
→ Read the full digestTransport Minister Óscar Puente criticized the CNMC for forcing Renfe to open its workshops to competitors Iryo and Ouigo. He said the foreign companies are "parasitizing" Renfe's industrial infrastructure. The dispute comes amid Spain's rail liberalization and may affect competition, prices, and service quality on high-speed routes.
→ Read the full digestThe European Commission says all migrants staying illegally in Ceuta, including unaccompanied minors, should be returned to Morocco under EU law. Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert cited the EU Return Directive's requirements for assistance and a best-interest assessment before any minor is returned. Spain has said no one illegally in Ceuta will be transferred to the mainland. The government is keeping its police, Guardia Civil, and Army deployment in place until the crisis is resolved. At least 80,000 people crossed into Spanish territory from Morocco.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Supreme Court ruled that changing sex does not retroactively annul a prior conviction for gender violence committed when the person was legally male. The court rejected an appeal against a nine-month prison sentence for gender violence and nine months for domestic violence. The crime occurred on April 20, 2022, and the sex change was registered on June 1, 2023. The ruling says the sex change has no retroactive effect on the sentence.
→ Read the full digestTransport Minister Óscar Puente said he proposed transferring Cercanías commuter rail services to Madrid and Andalusia. Regional leaders Ayuso and Moreno Bonilla have complained about service but declined to take it over. The government retains exclusive control, except in Catalonia, where the Rodalies transfer is progressing.
→ Read the full digestNearly three weeks after the mass entry from Morocco, government figures still conflict: Fernando Grande-Marlaska cited 72,000 people, while Ángel Víctor Torres spoke of 80,000. Regional president Juan Jesús Vivas accuses the government of masking reality, saying thousands remain. Ceuta doctors warn of a real epidemic risk after 5,800 migrants were treated in 15 days. More than 100 migrants on Trampolín beach began a hunger strike demanding asylum.
→ Read the full digestThe mass arrival of 80,000 people in Ceuta on July 30 has pushed Spain toward reforming immigration law to speed up expulsions and border rejections. Ceuta and Melilla presidents demand faster expulsions and a new border protocol, while PP, Vox, and Junts also call for changes. Pedro Sánchez promised to make repatriations more efficient; a Supreme Court ruling bans hot returns of people who enter by swimming without crossing border barriers. The government built a 500-meter maritime barrier at Tarajal and another in Melilla, and a proposed reform would apply border rejection to any illegal entry point, not just fence jumps. Judges' associations reject blanket denial of asylum applications in Ceuta, insisting each case must be studied individually and that irregular entry does not remove the right to request international protection.
→ Read the full digestSpain and Morocco deployed 880 police and 714 Civil Guard officers in Ceuta as social media called for a new mass entry attempt on August 15. More than 80,000 people crossed from Morocco on July 30, and hundreds are still sleeping in the streets without identification or care. PSOE ministers have vowed to expel everyone who entered irregularly, including minors, though Spanish law does not allow mass returns. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska called Morocco a close and reliable partner and said collaboration is total.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government has extended the operating life of the Almaraz nuclear plant to June 8, 2030, citing the Middle East conflict. The order was published in the Official State Gazette. The PP seized on the decision to demand a review of the agreed nuclear phase-out calendar. The plant is owned by Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy, and Junta de Extremadura president María Guardiola has made its continuity a strategic priority shared by Vox.
→ Read the full digestSpain's child protection system faces pressure, with 1,898 unaccompanied migrant minors remaining in Ceuta as of July 30. The ordinary capacity is 17,081 places, and the minors must be taken into Spanish care unless legal requirements for return to their families are met. Morocco's Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi threatened to suspend the extradition agreement with Spain, criticizing the mass regularization approved by Pedro Sánchez's government. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska dismissed the threat, saying cooperation with Morocco on extraditions has always been extraordinary.
→ Read the full digestItaly will keep its suspension of Schengen rules with Spain until the risk of mass irregular entries completely diminishes, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said. The concern centers on a possible new mass irregular entry into Spanish territory around August 15. Temporary border controls between the two countries could disrupt travel around the holiday.
→ Read the full digestInterior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has ordered security forces in Ceuta to seek judicial authorization to expel irregular migrants immediately if they are detained for crimes. The measure targets undocumented immigrants arrested for criminal acts in the autonomous city. Undocumented foreign residents in Ceuta now face a faster deportation process if they are arrested for any offense.
→ Read the full digestDefense Minister Margarita Robles delivered 12 veiled warnings to Morocco during a four-minute appearance in Ceuta, calling the July 30 mass crossing something that cannot happen again. She said any aggression against Ceuta or Melilla is an aggression against all of Spain. The crossing of 80,000 people was equivalent to nearly all of Ceuta's population, and Morocco's Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said the issue remains pending. Robles did not confirm whether she will appear before the Senate on August 18.
→ Read the full digestForeign Minister Albares said Spain and Morocco are committed to returning every person who entered Ceuta irregularly on July 30, when 80,000 people crossed the border. As many as 11,000 may remain, while around 1,500 have built shacks on Trampolín beach because the reception center is full. The government's statement reverses earlier welcoming rhetoric and signals stricter enforcement.
→ Read the full digestThe Equality Ministry has asked prosecutors to investigate Vox parliamentary secretary general José María Figaredo for a hate crime after he urged people to 'hunt' migrants in interviews. The referral was made by the Directorate General for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination. The remark comes amid heightened migration tensions in Spain.
→ Read the full digestThe Guardia Civil's UCO dismantled a network that recruited migrant minors in state care in Gran Canaria, gave them fake documents, and moved them to mainland Spain and France for sexual exploitation. Five people were arrested, including a minor who allegedly recruited girls inside a care center. The case highlights trafficking risks for vulnerable children.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government briefly raised the number of people who illegally entered Ceuta on July 30 from 72,000 to 80,000 before ministry sources said the figure remained unchanged. Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres declined to give a definitive number of unaccompanied minors, which has been put at 1,400. Ceuta’s president says between 8,000 and 11,000 immigrants remain on city streets, highlighting the border pressure shaping national policy.
→ Read the full digestItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen published a joint statement calling for EU repatriation centers in third countries and denouncing 'uncontrolled immigration.' The demand comes despite Frontex data showing that irregular crossings into Europe fell nearly 40% in the first five months of 2026. Italy also criticized Spain’s recent regularization measures, even as it recruits migrant workers itself.
→ Read the full digestThe body of a man found in Ceuta's waters has pushed the death toll from the July 30 mass entry to 83, with Spain recovering 72 bodies and Morocco 11. That same day, more than 15,000 residents from the city's four religious communities packed Plaza de la Constitución demanding urgent responses from Spanish and European authorities. The rally, backed by the Hindu Community president Ramesh Chandiramani, saw political figures from PP, PSOE, and Ceuta Ya! attend, while Vox stayed away.
→ Read the full digestControls at ports and airports for passengers arriving from Italy began on Saturday after publication in the BOE, a response to migratory pressure on the central Mediterranean route. Third Vice President Sara Aagesen stressed that Schengen has not been violated and that no one has arrived on the mainland from Ceuta. Any extension would require a new reasoned decision under the Schengen Borders Code.
→ Read the full digestA little over ten years after the European Commission urged Spain to find alternatives to razor wire on Ceuta and Melilla fences, the EU now debates migrant return centers in third countries. The Commission is opening the door to reinforcing external borders with more physical, technological, and human resources, marking a sharp turn from earlier demands for proportionality and fundamental rights.
→ Read the full digestA continent-wide packaging regulation takes effect on Aug. 12, initially rolling out up to 24 new labeling combinations per package. From 2030, supermarkets must stop plastic-wrapping fruit and vegetables, and single-dose packaging, lightweight bags, and hotel amenities will be prohibited. Containers will also carry uniform labels next year to help consumers separate materials.
→ Read the full digestSpain has begun random passport and residence permit checks on travelers from Italy at ports and airports, effective from August 8 through September 7. The move is a direct response to Italy's suspension of Schengen rules and comes amid a bitter diplomatic feud between Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni over the influx of migrants in Ceuta. Ceuta's president estimates 8,000 to 11,000 migrants remain in the city, describing the situation as 'unsustainable' and suggesting Morocco may be responsible. Travelers between Spain and Italy, including foreign residents, should carry their passport and residence permit to avoid delays at airports like Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government says the profile of unaccompanied minors arriving in Ceuta has shifted dramatically since the July 30 mass entry, with more girls and children under 13 compared to the mostly 15-to-17-year-old boys seen in May 2021. Minister Sira Rego said police are prioritizing identification of these children, and transfers to the mainland will start soon. The change could influence Spain's child protection policies and the broader migration debate.
→ Read the full digestGuardia Civil, Policía Nacional and Europol broke up one of the Mediterranean's largest human smuggling rings, arresting 78 people—77 in Spain and one in Algeria. The network brought over 2,000 migrants irregularly into Spain using high-speed boats that also carried drugs, generating profits exceeding €24 million. Authorities said the group used 'very violent' methods and was behind at least 64 migration episodes. The operation signals increased law enforcement pressure along key routes.
→ Read the full digestSpain has introduced random identity checks at ports and airports for arrivals from Italy, effective from 00:00 on August 8 through September 7. The move came after Italy refused to lift its own controls on travelers from Spain, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni insisting on keeping restrictions. Checks will cover identity, passport, nationality and, for third-country nationals, visa or residence permit.
→ Read the full digestThe government has deployed nearly 300 riot police, 2,000 soldiers and drones to Ceuta after credible calls on social media for a mass border crossing on August 15. Groups with up to 400,000 members are circulating slogans like '15/08' and 'al-hajma'. A 500-metre maritime barrier has been built at the Tarajal jetty to prevent entry by swimming.
→ Read the full digestFollowing the mass entry of 72,000 people, the government has identified 1,342 unaccompanied minors in Ceuta and expects the number to rise. Relocation to mainland Spain should begin within weeks, but Spain's Attorney General, Teresa Peramato, has issued guidelines warning that prosecutors will act if autonomous communities refuse to accept them. A technical team will move to Ceuta on August 16.
→ Read the full digestSpanish authorities remain on alert in Ceuta and are strengthening coordination with Morocco following fresh social media calls for a mass border crossing on August 15. However, officials believe a repeat of the July 31 incident, when 72,000 people crossed into Spain, is now very unlikely. The government says it is in permanent contact with Moroccan counterparts. The border situation in Ceuta can influence migration policy and public debate on immigration.
→ Read the full digestEuropean Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner said the EU will remain exposed to migration crises like the recent Ceuta events as long as it depends on the goodwill of neighboring countries. He urged stronger EU-level border protection capabilities. The warning was made on Thursday amid heightened migration pressures. This push could shape future EU immigration rules affecting Spain.
→ Read the full digestTwo women were killed by their former partners in Asturias and Murcia within 24 hours, bringing Spain's gender violence death toll to 35 this year. Both alleged attackers had prior complaints of gender violence. Since 2003, 1,376 women have been murdered in such cases, with 26 minors left orphaned in 2026 alone. The situation highlights the ongoing severity of the crisis and the need for robust support networks.
→ Read the full digestA Europol-coordinated operation led by Spain's National Police has resulted in 77 arrests and the seizure of 18 narco-boats valued at over €5 million. The network organized 64 Mediterranean crossings, bringing more than 2,000 migrants to Spain and charging up to €12,000 per person. Raids were carried out across Alicante, Almería, Cartagena, and Murcia. The crackdown targets irregular migration networks and enhances enforcement along key migration routes.
→ Read the full digestThe PP has sent a letter to the Sports Minister warning that Spain should reconsider its role in the 2030 World Cup if the final is not held on Spanish soil. The party argues Spain is bearing the economic cost of joint organization with Morocco and Portugal. The warning comes amid a long-running dispute over which country hosts the final, scheduled for July 21, 2030. While potentially impactful for future infrastructure and travel, the political spat currently has limited effect on daily life.
→ Read the full digestA judge has proposed putting Judith Piquet, the PP mayor of Alcalá de Henares, on trial for allegedly leaking a police document used to criminalize migrants. The leak, made in January 2024, was intended to support Isabel Díaz Ayuso after she accused migrants of sexual assaults without proof. The case highlights political manipulation of immigration issues and could influence public perceptions.
→ Read the full digestA week after 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco, the Spanish government says 70,000 have been returned but up to 6,000 may remain on the streets. Many unaccompanied minors must be distributed under 2025 regulations, and First Vice President Carlos Cuerpo warned that regions refusing to host them will face court action. Meanwhile, the European Parliament’s civil liberties committee will hold an extraordinary session on Thursday, requested by the PP, with EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner and Ceuta’s president Juan Jesús Vivas attending.
→ Read the full digestMore than 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, in what Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the biggest attack on Spain's territorial integrity in its democratic history. The government has exonerated Morocco and dismissed the official who first reported the influx, while Defense Minister Margarita Robles has not clarified whether intelligence services gave advance warning. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares linked the events to a Supreme Court ban on hot returns for migrants swimming into Spanish territory. Meanwhile, Ceuta's administration says 862 unaccompanied migrant minors are now housed in the city — 2,872% over the official capacity of 29 places — and the CETI migrant center is at full capacity with 600 occupants.
→ Read the full digestFour days after some 50,000 migrants swam into Ceuta, the death toll has surpassed 80, forcing authorities to set up a temporary morgue. The city of fewer than 100,000 inhabitants was overwhelmed, prompting army deployment. This marks the deadliest migration tragedy on the Spanish border, with families still searching for missing loved ones. The crisis exposes the pressure on border communities and the extreme risks of irregular crossings.
→ Read the full digestHundreds of sub-Saharan migrants remain outside the saturated CETI reception centre in Ceuta after most of the 50,000 who entered on Thursday returned. Minors are staying in vacant lots due to lack of space, and reception resources are overwhelmed. Mariama, a 28-year-old from Senegal, arrived after a year-long journey through Mauritania and Morocco. Authorities face mounting pressure to address the humanitarian emergency.
→ Read the full digestA letter signed by 22 European governments demanding stronger border controls has left Spain isolated in Brussels over migration policy. Pedro Sánchez condemned what he called the 'selfish' and 'illegal' reactions of other EU countries and requested an emergency interior ministers' meeting. Spain's government says it had no prior warning of the mass crossing of 60,000 people towards Ceuta. The shift towards stricter EU border enforcement could reshape migration and asylum rules across Spain.
→ Read the full digestNearly 49,000 people entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on July 30-31, overwhelming security forces and the migrant center. The Guardia Civil has recovered 67 bodies along the coast, with 99 migrants having died this year attempting the crossing. EU interior ministers will meet by videoconference on Tuesday after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and representatives of 22 other member states requested urgent coordination. King Felipe VI expressed 'great concern and indignation,' calling for security guarantees and measures to prevent such episodes.
→ Read the full digestThe European Union's AI Act, the world's first comprehensive artificial intelligence law, took effect on Sunday. It bans practices like subliminal manipulation and social scoring, and imposes phased rules until 2028. Violations can bring fines of up to €35 million for the most serious offenses, including biometric categorization based on race or religion. The regulation also tackles sexual deepfakes and child pornography. People in Spain will gain stronger protections against harmful AI uses in employment and daily life.
→ Read the full digestScientists and engineers are calling on Spain's political parties to reach a state agreement against wildfires, arguing that current funding tilts too heavily toward firefighting over forest management. They say the pact is not a left-right issue and is essential for the country's future. The government and opposition remain at odds over the agreement's name. The push comes as wildfire risk remains high in many rural areas.
→ Read the full digestItaly suspended the Schengen free-movement regime with Spain at maritime and air borders, effective Saturday, after the mass migrant influx into Ceuta killed at least 67 people. About 50,000 migrants reached the Spanish enclave in recent days. Spain will install buoys at the Ceuta breakwater to create a visual border for express returns, following a Supreme Court ruling. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the one-month suspension, citing national security, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the events a 'violation of territorial integrity'. Travelers between Italy and Spain now face additional checks.
→ Read the full digestMore than 20,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on Thursday, the biggest irregular entry since 2021. Nine bodies were recovered along the coast. The government deployed Army units to reinforce the Guardia Civil and closed the Beni Enzar border crossing in Melilla. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will visit Ceuta on Friday.
→ Read the full digestItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for suspending the Schengen free-movement treaty with Spain following the Ceuta migrant influx. Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described the proposal as "improper" and summoned the Italian ambassador. Albares attributed the Ceuta events to a court ruling, rejecting links to Spain's regularisation of over 500,000 irregular migrants.
→ Read the full digestMore than 3,000 people are waiting on Moroccan beaches to cross into Ceuta, overwhelming the city's reception capacity. A Civil Guard source links the surge to a 'call effect' after a Supreme Court ruling limited summary returns at sea. The continuous arrivals have strained resources in the autonomous city. The crisis could trigger changes in border policy affecting the region's stability.
→ Read the full digestA new CIS fiscal barometer reveals that 77% of Spaniards believe taxes are not paid justly, with the rich paying too little. While 83% agree that cheating the tax office harms everyone, 55% say the government puts too little effort into fighting fraud. The survey also shows strong public demand for more spending on housing and healthcare.
→ Read the full digestVox, in coalition with PP in Aragón, is focusing on 238 unaccompanied migrant minors, proposing forensic age tests and removing their weekly allowances. Two complaints have been filed with the Prosecutor's Office over the measures. The policies have raised concerns about discrimination and the rights of these minors.
→ Read the full digestThe European Committee for the Prevention of Torture cited excessive use of force by Spanish police and physical mistreatment in prisons. It also noted a shortage of medical staff, with more than 100 vacancies nationwide. The report's visits included police stations and prisons in Andalusia, Madrid, and Badajoz. These systemic issues could affect anyone detained, including foreign nationals.
→ Read the full digestOBERAXE detected nearly 55,000 hate messages on social media from June 11 to July 21, with 52% directly linked to the World Cup. The main targets were the French national team and Spanish player Lamine Yamal, while 66% of the messages targeted the North African population. The surge reflects underlying discrimination that can affect residents of North African origin.
→ Read the full digestNine women were killed in gender-based violence in Spain during June and July 2026. Seven of the victims lived with the aggressor at the time of the murder. The Ministry of Equality has convened a crisis committee to study the cases. The high rate of violence affects all residents, and foreign women may face additional barriers to seeking help.
→ Read the full digestMore than 200 attempted swim entries into Ceuta over the weekend left four dead and at least 20 missing. Over 100 migrants reached the city, filling the CETI center to its full 512-person capacity. Most were from Morocco and Algeria. The tragedy highlights ongoing migration pressure at Spanish borders and may influence policy debates.
→ Read the full digestThe Ministry of Youth referred the PP-Vox government in Aragón to the Public Prosecutor for removing a €17 weekly allowance exclusively for unaccompanied migrant minors. Spanish children in care continue to receive the payment. Minister Sira Rego called the measure 'racist' and 'miserable.' The case raises concerns about discriminatory treatment of migrant children.
→ Read the full digestBetween 25,000 and 70,000 people marched in Palma against touristification and the housing crisis. The demonstration, organized by platform ‘Menys Turisme, Més Vida’ with 134 supporting entities, ended in police baton charges and rubber bullets. The protest highlights growing frustration over housing shortages and mass tourism in the Balearics.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s PSOE has lost 1.37 million potential voters since the last election, a new poll shows. Right-wing parties now combine for more than 50% of voter support, signaling a possible shift after the next general election. Undecided voters are at a minimum, hardening the political landscape.
→ Read the full digestGuardia Civil recovered the body of a young migrant who drowned attempting to reach Ceuta, marking the 24th such death in Ceuta waters in 2026. Irregular entries have risen, with over 100 people now waiting outside the overcrowded CETI reception center. The tragedy underscores the humanitarian pressures at Spain’s land border in North Africa, where many migrants attempt to swim or climb the border fence.
→ Read the full digestA new poll shows 55.7% of respondents believe the number of beneficiaries in the extraordinary regularization is excessive, while only 30% consider it adequate and 6.4% insufficient. The opinion splits sharply along political lines: Sumar and PSOE voters are relatively supportive, while PP and Vox voters are overwhelmingly critical. Public sentiment could shape future immigration policy and residency rules.
→ Read the full digestSpain’s Minimum Vital Income reaches only 31% of the population in poverty, below the EU average of 36%, according to the fiscal authority AIReF. The monthly amount, €733.6 per person in 2026, is above the European average, but design flaws in income calculation, household definition, and work incentives blunt its impact. The median poverty threshold in Spain was €1,790 per month in 2025. Those who fall into poverty may find the IMV less accessible than similar benefits in other EU countries.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish Congress rejected the fiscal path for the second time with 176 votes against (PP, Vox, Junts, UPN) and 166 in favor (PSOE, Sumar, PNV, EH Bildu, ERC, BNG, CC), while Podemos and Compromís abstained. The vote makes a 2027 budget impossible, extending the budget freeze for a fourth consecutive year. Both the Congress and Senate have called on Pedro Sánchez to resign, face a confidence vote, or call early elections. Political instability could delay policy making and affect economic confidence.
→ Read the full digestLes Corts approved the 2026 regional budget of 33,305 million euros, a 3.1% increase, with votes from governing parties PP and Vox. The budget, the first under President Pérez Llorca, includes a controversial 'prioridad nacional' clause, while a Vox amendment to cut 1 million euros from the AVL language academy was rejected by PP. PSPV and Compromís voted against the budget. The spending plan shapes public services in a region home to a large international community.
→ Read the full digestA 30-year-old woman died and a six-month-old baby was resuscitated after a cayuco carrying 165 migrants arrived in El Hierro. The boat had spent about 10 days at sea after departing from Gambia on July 12. The baby suffered cardiac arrest and was evacuated to Tenerife, while 14 other migrants were hospitalized, several in serious condition. The incident underscores the continuing humanitarian crisis at Spain's southern maritime border.
→ Read the full digestThe Valencian Parliament approved a 2026 budget of €33,305 million that includes the phrase 'prioridad nacional' for the first time in Spanish law. The agreement between PP and Vox marks a symbolic victory for Vox, which had long demanded the term. The move has limited immediate impact but signals a potential shift in regional politics.
→ Read the full digestThe PP has asked the government to annul the instruction implementing the 'ley de nietos', which grants Spanish nationality to descendants of exiled Spaniards. EU lawmaker Alma Ezcurra (PP) questioned the procedural guarantees of the process and demanded the suspension of all applications. The law has been in force for four years. The move threatens access to citizenship for many foreign residents with family ties to Spanish exiles.
→ Read the full digestSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Algeria to normalize bilateral relations after a six-year dispute over Western Sahara. The two countries reached a political agreement to increase gas supply; Algeria currently provides 35% of Spain's gas imports. A high-level meeting is planned for October in Spain. The deal aims to stabilize energy supply for Spanish consumers.
→ Read the full digestDavid Lucas, Spain's Secretary of State for Housing, died at age 58 after going on medical leave on June 30 to battle cancer. He was a key architect of housing policy, most notably the Operación Campamento project, which aims to build 10,700 public homes in Madrid. His death may disrupt the implementation of ongoing and planned housing initiatives critical for addressing Spain's housing shortage.
→ Read the full digestItalian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani called Spain's regularization of irregular immigrants a demagogic measure during a visit to Madrid. Tajani warned that regularized immigrants could move freely to Italy under EU rules. The criticism underscores EU tensions over immigration policy, which could influence future regularization efforts.
→ Read the full digestThe conservative Partido Popular has announced plans to repeal around 100 laws from the current progressive government. Led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the party aims to cut unemployment benefits, limit union representation, and reverse protections for trans people and migrants. The approach mirrors that of former president Mariano Rajoy in 2011. These reforms would reshape social and labor rights in Spain.
→ Read the full digestFrancesc Boya, Spain's secretary general for the Demographic Challenge, says immigration is vital for rural areas, helping keep schools open and businesses running. The government has approved a new Territorial Equity Strategy aiming to ensure all residents can access essential services within 30 minutes. The plan could encourage foreign residents to settle in depopulated areas by improving infrastructure.
→ Read the full digestThe European Commission's annual rule-of-law report recommends Spain do more to combat high-level corruption and tighten conflict-of-interest rules. It notes limited progress in these areas. The recommendations are non-binding, but the report raises pressure on the government ahead of upcoming legislative reviews.
→ Read the full digestThe Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that Spain's Amnesty Law for Catalonia does not violate EU law or the Union's financial interests. The decision upholds the legality of a law that grants pardons to Catalan separatists involved in the 2017 independence push. The ruling removes a major legal hurdle and could ease political tensions in Spain.
→ Read the full digestSpain recorded 14,479 irregular arrivals by mid-July 2026, a 24.7% drop from 19,222 a year earlier. However, land crossings into the enclave of Ceuta jumped 149%, underscoring ongoing border pressure. The shifting patterns may influence government migration policy, while communities along the coast and border remain on alert.
→ Read the full digestThe Junta Electoral Central (JEC) has ordered that newly naturalized citizens under the 'grandchildren law' must justify their electoral municipality if it differs from their last residence in Spain. The law grants nationality to descendants of Spanish exiles, and officials want to prevent improper voter registration. The ruling is expected to affect thousands of new voters ahead of future elections.
→ Read the full digestThe European Commission's Rule of Law report criticized the Spanish government for publicly pressuring judges. It cited the conviction of former prosecutor general García Ortiz and officials' dismissal of another ruling as 'judicial masonry.' The rebuke underscores persistent institutional friction that may worry residents concerned about the country's legal stability.
→ Read the full digestThe PP will propose an immigration law reform allowing security forces to return migrants intercepted at sea trying to reach Ceuta and Melilla. It follows a Supreme Court ruling that banned such returns. PP spokesperson Alma Ezcurra noted that irregular entries in the Balearic Islands jumped from 700 in 2018 to 7,500 last year. The reform is limited to those two enclaves.
→ Read the full digestJunts has demanded that the government release data on the demographic effects of its recent immigration measures. These include the extraordinary regularization of about 1 million undocumented immigrants, who received one-year permits, and the law of grandchildren, which has generated 2.4 million nationality applications since 2022. The party argues the policies were adopted without rigorous planning and could affect legal residency and citizenship processes.
→ Read the full digestPedro Sánchez has declared that the removal of the Verja border fence with Gibraltar closes a 'three-century wound' and begins a new era of opportunities for the Campo de Gibraltar region. Spain will continue to assert its territorial claim over the British colony. The end of the physical barrier is expected to ease cross-border movement and boost economic ties.
→ Read the full digestThe Verja fence was removed at midnight, allowing people and goods to move freely between La Línea and Gibraltar for the first time in five years. Gibraltar gains partial Schengen benefits. Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez plans to visit the area. Commuters and cross-border workers will see immediate improvements in daily travel.
→ Read the full digestCongress rejected the government's stability path, the first step toward the 2026 budget. Junts' no vote was decisive, while Podemos also opposed due to defense spending. Finance Minister Arcadi España will resubmit the plan next week. Budget uncertainty could affect taxes and public services.
→ Read the full digestMorocco unilaterally shut the borders, citing Operation Paso del Estrecho as justification. About 3.5 million people cross these borders during the three-month summer period. The closures disrupt trade and daily travel for residents of the Spanish enclaves.
→ Read the full digestFormer Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sparked diplomatic tension with France after making comments widely condemned as racist toward the French football team. The PP, his party, dismissed the remarks as a joke from a sarcastic column. The incident comes just before the two nations meet in the World Cup semifinal.
→ Read the full digestThe metal fence separating Gibraltar and Spain since the Franco era will be dismantled on July 15, 2026. Originally erected in 1969 when the border was closed, the barrier remained even after the crossing reopened. Its removal promises smoother movement for thousands who commute daily between the two territories. The change follows recent political agreements and marks a new chapter for the Campo de Gibraltar region.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court ruled that intercepting and returning migrants to Morocco at sea is illegal under Spanish Immigration Law. Following the decision, the Guardia Civil in Ceuta stopped the practice known as ‘hot returns.’ The government had previously defended these returns, which targeted adults except apparent minors attempting to swim into Spanish territory.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government claims President Pedro Sánchez’s explanations at the NATO summit in Ankara convinced Donald Trump that Spain is meeting its 2% of GDP defense commitment. The government denies making any extra payments beyond the pledged amount. Sánchez also announced Spain would join an Arctic mission.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended Spain’s role in NATO during the alliance’s summit in Ankara and responded to US President Donald Trump’s criticism of allies over the Iran conflict. Sánchez stressed Spain’s ongoing dedication to collective security. The exchange highlighted a tense moment in transatlantic relations.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived at the NATO summit in Ankara prepared to resist pressure from Secretary General Mark Rutte to raise Spain's military spending to 5% of GDP. Sánchez argues that the defense budget has already increased by 154% since 2018, from €11.2 billion to €35.4 billion, making Spain the seventh-largest contributor among 32 allies. The debate could influence future national budget allocations, but its direct effect on daily life remains limited.
→ Read the full digestThe electoral census of absent residents (CERA) has grown 20% since October 2022 to 2.7 million. With 2.4 million nationality applications pending and a denial rate below 2%, the total could reach nearly 5 million—equivalent to the electorate of Madrid province. Past participation was around 10%, but the expansion could reshape election outcomes and political representation.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Foreign Ministry confirmed that 35 Spaniards have died, 140 remain missing, and 11 are still trapped under debris following the double earthquake in Venezuela. The tragedy affects families with ties to Venezuela but has limited direct impact in Spain.
→ Read the full digestJuanma Moreno took office for his third consecutive term as president of Andalusia after forming a government pact with Vox. He pledged to follow the 'Andalusian way' of dialogue and expressed hope for a productive legislative term. The political direction could influence regional policies affecting foreign nationals.
→ Read the full digestAndalucía, Extremadura, Aragón, and Castilla y León now have joint governments between the conservative PP and far-right Vox. The pact in Andalucía includes €1.3 billion in tax cuts. The alliances aim to challenge Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and could shift regional policies on services and taxes affecting residents.
→ Read the full digestPP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has claimed that Spain is not prepared to host eight million people, accusing the government of pursuing 'non-innocent objectives' through social engineering. His remarks signal a hardening stance on immigration from the main opposition party. The statement highlights a shifting political climate that could shape future policy.
→ Read the full digestThe new PP-Vox coalition in Andalusia has agreed to €1.3 billion in tax cuts over four years, including a 0.25% annual reduction in IRPF for incomes under €60,000. New childbirth deductions range from €500 for a first child to over €1,000 for subsequent children. The pact also extends concertados (state-funded private schools) to Bachillerato and reduces subsidies to unions.
→ Read the full digestPP and Vox signed a 150-measure government pact in Andalusia, giving Vox a vice-presidency and including policies such as 'priority national' status and the rejection of unaccompanied migrant children. The agreement omits any reference to gender violence. Vox's Manuel Gavira will oversee Tourism, Local Administration and Justice. The pact cements far-right influence in Andalusia's regional government, with potential effects on social policies affecting foreign residents.
→ Read the full digestA 2022 instruction from the Ministry of Justice now allows any descendant of a Spanish emigrant to obtain nationality, not just those whose families fled during the Franco regime. The expansion, signed by Sofía Puente, covers anyone born outside Spain with a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish. The PP has criticized the move as an 'open bar' that goes against the law passed in Congress. This opens a path to citizenship for many foreign residents with Spanish ancestry.
→ Read the full digestSpain's extraordinary migrant regularization process closed with over 1.2 million applications—more than double the government's estimate of 500,000—and fierce criticism from the National Police. A report by commissioner Alfredo García Miravete accused the government of an 'absolute lack of transparency' and questioned the urgency of the measure, which Congress considered in April 2024. The government outsourced management due to a lack of defined processing competencies. The chaotic rollout has cast a shadow over immigration policy for all foreign residents.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveiled a €505 million plan to integrate migrants and a new State Agency for Human Mobility. The agency will centralize resources and coordination across different levels of government. The Plan for Integration and Citizenship will channel the funding over one year to support settlement services. The initiative promises better administrative and social support for immigrants settling in Spain.
→ Read the full digestThe Law of Grandchildren, which allows descendants of Civil War exiles to obtain Spanish nationality, has drawn fierce criticism from the Partido Popular, which calls it "electoral engineering." Official figures show 2.4 million appointment requests and over 544,000 approved nationalities since the law took effect. The government defends the measure as reparative justice, but the controversy could lead to political challenges.
→ Read the full digestThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that nine Spanish citizens have died and 131 remain missing after the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Emergency consular lines remain open for families seeking information. Search and rescue efforts continue amid widespread damage.
→ Read the full digestThe PP-led motion passed with 178 votes, backed by Junts, Vox, and others, urging Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to submit to a confidence vote. A clause demanding his resignation gained 177 votes after Coalición Canaria abstained. The PSOE, Sumar, and other allies voted against it. The non-binding motion cites corruption investigations, raising political uncertainty.
→ Read the full digestThe Basque Parliament approved a PNV-backed plan allowing each municipality to require Basque language skills for public employment, with the support of EH Bildu's abstention. Opposed by PSOE, PP, Sumar and Vox, the measure has been described as a 'linguistic Lizarra'. For non-Basque speakers, the move could restrict access to local government jobs.
→ Read the full digestUS President Donald Trump sharply criticized Spain at a NATO meeting for refusing to support military action against Iran and for not increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP. NATO Secretary General Rutte stressed the need to counter Iran's nuclear program, but Spain, along with Italy and others, resisted. The diplomatic spat could strain bilateral ties but has limited direct effect on most residents.
→ Read the full digestFormer Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero allegedly received 200,000 euros between 2024 and 2025 to mediate with Bolivia's government on behalf of Peruvian firm Grupo Gloria. The company faces legal cases in Peru, according to a National Police report. The allegations may stir political controversy but have little immediate impact on most residents.
→ Read the full digestBegoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, surrendered her passport at a Madrid court after a judge ordered her not to leave Spain ahead of a possible trial for influence peddling and corruption charges. Accompanied by her lawyer, she entered through a garage for security; her defense has appealed the measures. The case is a major political story but unlikely to directly affect most residents.
→ Read the full digestThe government approved changes making helmets mandatory for electric scooter and bicycle riders, setting a minimum age of 15 for scooter use, and requiring motorcyclists to wear gloves and closed-toe shoes. Motorcycle drivers must use gloves on interurban roads, while closed-toe shoes are required everywhere. Taxi drivers must always wear seatbelts. The new rules directly affect daily mobility for many residents who rely on these vehicles.
→ Read the full digestIn a first meeting with the European Commission and 15 member states, a Taliban delegation asked for diplomatic recognition and consular services for Afghans in the EU. In return, they offered to deport Afghans who have committed serious crimes or pose security threats. Currently, only Germany recognizes Taliban diplomats. The proposal could influence EU deportation policy and migration debates.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court sentenced former minister José Luis Ábalos to 24 years and three months for corruption in pandemic mask procurement. His advisor Koldo García received 19 years, while businessman Víctor de Aldama got four years and six months for bribery, influence peddling, and embezzlement. The case involved irregularities in contracts worth €13 million and monthly payoffs of €10,000. The ruling underscores deep-rooted corruption issues in Spanish politics.
→ Read the full digestThe People's Party urged the government to process its Land Law urgently, citing a housing shortage of 750,000 homes between 2021 and 2025. It also criticized Prime Minister Sánchez for not implementing the ICO loan guarantees announced six months ago. The party says the paralysis exacerbates the housing crisis.
→ Read the full digestUN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed regret over the EU's new system to speed up deportations, warning it could violate individual rights. The rule change affects migration policy across the bloc.
→ Read the full digestIran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the US of failing to enforce a ceasefire as Israeli attacks in Lebanon killed over 100 people in two days. Negotiations between Iran and the US continue in Switzerland. The closure could disrupt global oil supplies, affecting prices and cost of living.
→ Read the full digestPP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who pledged in July 2025 that he would not form a coalition with Vox, now says he will not rule out including them to defeat Sánchez. The change opens the possibility of far-right participation in government, potentially affecting policies on migration and social issues.
→ Read the full digestJudge Juan Carlos Peinado opened the oral trial for Begoña Gómez, wife of PM Sánchez, on charges including influence peddling and corruption. She must surrender her passport and appear in court every 15 days. The case is a high-profile political matter with limited direct impact on foreign residents.
→ Read the full digestFrancina Armengol announced she will not run for president of the Balearic Islands in 2027, instead aiming to lead the PSIB list for the Spanish Congress. She governed the islands for eight years. The change in political leadership could affect residents in the Balearic Islands.
→ Read the full digestPedro Sánchez said general elections could be held in early 2027, ahead of the municipal and regional votes in May, and that they would not coincide. The timing depends on budget approval. The political calendar may affect policy direction and stability for residents in Spain.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish Congress has approved a PP proposal to force Renfe to reinstate compensation for train delays: 50% refund for delays of 15 minutes and 100% for 30 minutes. The government voted against, but the motion passed with 185 votes in favor, 152 against, and 10 abstentions. The proposal also calls for a national plan to renew the vehicle fleet. Train travelers stand to benefit from improved compensation.
→ Read the full digestThe European Parliament has approved what it calls the toughest immigration regulations in EU history. Last year, over 719,000 irregular immigrants were identified in the EU, but only just over a quarter of the 491,000 expulsion orders were executed. In Spain, just 5,705 of 53,700 orders were enforced.
→ Read the full digestThe judge investigating the 2024 DANA flood in Valencia is considering calling more regional ministers as witnesses after WhatsApp messages related to the disaster were released. The flood on October 29, 2024, killed 230 people. The judge has requested additional documents from the infrastructure minister Vicente Martínez Mus.
→ Read the full digestBetween January 1 and June 15, 2026, 10,701 irregular migrants entered Spain, a 36% decrease from the same period in 2025. Arrivals by sea dropped sharply, falling 48.9% to 8,115. However, arrivals by sea to the Peninsula and Balearics increased 5.4% to 4,833.
→ Read the full digestThe EU Court of Justice has ruled that member states can require age verification on porn websites to protect minors, even if the site is based outside the country. The measures must be proportionate and justified. The ruling came from a French case but has EU-wide implications, potentially leading to new regulations in Spain.
→ Read the full digestThe Community of Madrid now limits public transport passes exclusively to individuals with empadronamiento (municipal registration) in the region. This policy disproportionately affects foreign residents and migrants, as landlords frequently refuse to register tenants. Advocacy groups warn that the measure severely restricts affordable transit access for undocumented individuals, students, and workers from other regions.
→ Read the full digestThe United States and Iran finalized a provisional peace agreement that immediately lifts the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and resumes maritime traffic. While the deal caused oil prices to drop and pushed the Ibex 35 past 19,000 points, experts warn that lower energy costs will take months to reach consumers. Damaged infrastructure and logistical bottlenecks will delay the full transmission of reduced gas and oil prices to household budgets.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government has executed over 182,000 million euros in budget modifications since 2023 without parliamentary approval due to the lack of an approved state budget. The opposition PP is now demanding the rejection of the General Account of the State, citing this lack of fiscal control. A reviewing commission with a PP and Vox majority is expected to reject the 2024 accounts, marking a first in Spanish democracy. The move highlights ongoing tensions over public spending transparency.
→ Read the full digestThe EU Migration and Asylum Pact entered into force on June 12, introducing stricter border controls and faster deportations across the bloc. The agreement includes plans to establish return centers modeled after Italian policies to expedite the expulsion of irregular migrants. European Commissioner Brunner criticized Spain's recent mass regularization of migrants during the policy shift. This EU-wide tightening signals a stricter immigration environment that could eventually impact visa policies and residency requirements.
→ Read the full digestCastile and León President Alfonso Fernández Mañueco appointed Vox leader Carlos Pollán as first vice president. Pollán will head the new ministry of Deregulation, Family, and Social Assistance, which includes immigration competencies. María Isabel Blanco Llamas takes the second vice presidency with housing and other portfolios in the new PP-Vox coalition government.
→ Read the full digestSpain's Supreme Court rejected a potential pardon for ex-Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz, convicted of revealing secrets, arguing no reasons of justice, equity, or public utility justify it. The final decision rests with the government, but the court's opposition is a strong legal obstacle.
→ Read the full digestDiego Villafañe, the former second-in-command of the General Prosecutor's Office, held at least two meetings with Leire Díez and Jacobo Teijelo, individuals investigated in the 'cloacas of Ferraz' scandal. No documentary record was left of the meetings.
→ Read the full digestBetween 2019 and 2022, Vicente Martínez and Leire Díez allegedly pressured executives of state-owned companies for business opportunities under the political cover of ex-Vice President María Jesús Montero. Some deals went through while others were aborted, according to El Mundo.
→ Read the full digestThe US launched airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for the downing of an Apache helicopter. Iran responded by attacking US bases in Kuwait, Jordan, and radar installations in Bahrain.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez will appear before Congress on June 24 to address judicial cases affecting his party, after police raided PSOE headquarters. Former PM Zapatero has also been summoned as a suspect in the Plus Ultra influence-peddling case.
→ Read the full digestIran and Israel have agreed to halt their mutual attacks, following pressure from the Trump administration, 100 days into the conflict that began with Israel's war on Hamas and Hezbollah.
→ Read the full digestLahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, son of the Polisario Front founder and a member of its Secretariat, was killed along with two other fighters in an attack by Moroccan forces in Western Sahara.
→ Read the full digestDespite a U.S. request to avoid escalation, Israel attacked Iranian military targets after Iran launched missiles into northern Israel. The renewed ceasefire is in its worst state yet, with tensions rising after two people were killed in south Beirut.
→ Read the full digestThe UCO (police unit) has been waiting six months for Judge Antonio Viejo to authorize access to bank accounts and company data of Alberto González Amador, partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso. Despite a meeting in April where the judge promised to issue the orders within a week, he has not done so, leaving the 'Operación Cirbelia' probe in limbo.
→ Read the full digestThe trial of the PP-era 'Kitchen' operation for alleged state-ordered espionage has taken a twist as new evidence links the PSOE and Pedro Sánchez's inner circle to similar practices. The scandal threatens to implicate both major parties in misusing state security for political gain.
→ Read the full digestThe UCO seized agenda of the PSOE 'fontanera' shows a 'meeting with PS' and three other mentions of the initials, raising questions about Pedro Sánchez's involvement. The government denies the initials refer to the prime minister.
→ Read the full digestPedro Sánchez said he 'neither knew nor approved' Leire Díez's actions in the corruption case, as his government relies on PNV and Junts rejection of Feijóo's motion. He now talks about 2027 budgets to project continuity.
→ Read the full digestThe coalition government between PP and Vox in Aragon has seen far-right discourse dominate the public agenda, with Vox pushing anti-immigrant messages and the PP appearing overwhelmed by its partner's rhetoric. As the coalition completes its first month, the main opposition comes from the Government Delegation rather than political rivals.
→ Read the full digestA Serbian UN peacekeeper died and two Spanish soldiers sustained minor injuries after mortars struck their position near Marjayoun in southern Lebanon. The attack, whose perpetrators are unidentified, occurred amid ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The FINUL mission has launched an investigation.
→ Read the full digestThe Popular Party has escalated pressure on the government, claiming the alleged spy network within the PSOE amounts to 'state delinquency' and calling for Prime Minister Sánchez's resignation. PP spokesperson Alma Ezcurra argued that all corruption investigations converge on Sánchez. The party warned coalition partners that 'with the mafia there is no loyalty that holds'.
→ Read the full digestThe Guardia Civil's UCO unit has concluded that a clandestine network within the PSOE, allegedly led by ex-party number three Santos Cerdán, was activated in 2024 to protect the government and President Sánchez from judicial investigations. The network allegedly sought to influence or shut down legal cases affecting the party and its leaders.
→ Read the full digestThe European Commission has formally asked nine EU countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, to lift internal border controls that are undermining the Schengen area's freedom of movement. The request comes as Spain proceeds with its regularization of 500,000 undocumented immigrants, which far-right leaders have denounced as an 'invasion'.
→ Read the full digestPP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo will tell the influential Cercle d'Economia that Catalonia 'cannot accept this situation of deadlock' and call for an instrumental censure motion to oust PM Sánchez and trigger early elections. The PP aims to pressure Junts and PNV through business leaders.
→ Read the full digestFormer PSOE organization secretary Santos Cerdán is under investigation for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to find dirt on the Civil Guard and prosecutors investigating socialist corruption. The plot involved a party member and an entrepreneur and was reportedly financed by the PSOE.
→ Read the full digestJunts and PNV, key parliamentary allies, are calling on Pedro Sánchez to call early elections amidst a series of corruption scandals. Meanwhile, judicial investigations place Santos Cerdán, the 'number two' of the PSOE, at the head of three criminal networks, deepening the government's crisis.
→ Read the full digestA Russian Geran-2 drone struck a residential building in Galați, Romania, near the Ukrainian border, injuring a woman and a child and forcing the evacuation of 70 people. NATO said it is ready to defend all allied territory, while Romania called it the most serious incident since the war began.
→ Read the full digestPNV president Aitor Esteban declared the national legislature 'has come to an end' and urged Prime Minister Sánchez to call elections this year, warning that more events are coming. He ruled out a no-confidence motion.
→ Read the full digestThe US confirmed a preliminary agreement with Iran to extend the current truce for two months and guarantee passage through the strategic Strait of Ormuz. The deal also includes initiating talks on Iran's nuclear program, pending President Trump's approval.
→ Read the full digestA National Court judge accused Spain's ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) of employing a criminal network, led by ex-organization secretary Santos Cerdán, to derail investigations into the party and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's family — acting 'on orders of the One,' a reference to Sánchez. The Guardia Civil's UCO (Central Operations Unit) raided the PSOE headquarters in Madrid on Wednesday.
→ Read the full digestUS President Trump ordered new airstrikes on Iran and threatened Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran retaliated by attacking a US base in Kuwait with missiles and drones. Israel declared southern Lebanon a 'combat zone', accelerating the conflict. The fragile April ceasefire continues to break down despite claims of an imminent deal.
→ Read the full digestThe legal imputation of former Prime Minister Zapatero for alleged corruption is considered the most serious threat to Pedro Sánchez's coalition, adding to the Ábalos scandal, the Begoña Gómez investigation, and strained parliamentary support. Sources in Moncloa describe the situation as a 'long ordeal' with 'five bullets in the government's stomach.'
→ Read the full digestThe court unanimously dismissed Vox's challenge to the 2021 labour reform, confirming that the government correctly used the decree-law procedure and that PP deputy Alberto Casero's mistaken telephonic vote cannot be rectified. The ruling also rejects claims of constitutional infringement.
→ Read the full digestAccording to Der Spiegel, the US Defense Department informed allies that Washington will provide 'significantly fewer key military capabilities' in future, including fighters, bombers, warships, drones, and tanker aircraft. The specific cuts include half of all bombers and all submarines stationed in Europe.
→ Read the full digestA police report from UDEF states that former PM Zapatero's daughters' company, Whathefav, provided no 'technical value' and served to channel payments from two Venezuelan-linked firms totaling over €800,000. The company allegedly only formatted reports and sent them to clients provided by Zapatero.
→ Read the full digestA government bill to reduce class sizes and teachers' hours is estimated to cost €2.8 billion annually but will allocate more funds to schools in wealthy areas, according to an EsadeEcPol report. The law, still pending congressional approval, could widen educational inequality.
→ Read the full digestThe PP, PNV, CC, and former PM Felipe González join voices asking Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to advance general elections, citing multiple corruption investigations involving his government including the 'Zapatero case' and the 'case of the masks'.
→ Read the full digestFormer Prime Minister Zapatero has been imputed as the strategic supervisor of a €53 million rescue of Plus Ultra airline during the pandemic. Police reports describe a web of influence peddling, shell companies, and false invoices orchestrated to secure the public aid.
→ Read the full digestIsrael demanded explanations from Spain after the Ertzaintza (Basque police) charged activists returning from a Gaza flotilla in Bilbao. Israel accused Spain of hypocrisy for condemning Israel while remaining silent on the incident.
→ Read the full digestEuropean Commission President von der Leyen and UK officials have called on Iran and the United States to sign a principles agreement paving the way for an indefinite ceasefire. This follows predictions from Trump and Rubio that the deal was imminent.
→ Read the full digestA police investigation (Udef) alleges that a network led by former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero used false invoices, simulated jobs, and ghost consulting to traffic influence. The report cites Zapatero and his daughters as "main beneficiaries" of the scheme.
→ Read the full digestUS President Donald Trump stated that the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran is "largely negotiated" and only final details remain. The deal includes opening the Strait of Hormuz and has been discussed with Israeli PM Netanyahu.
→ Read the full digestPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces a grueling two-week period with ex-PM Zapatero testifying over alleged influence peddling, the trial of his brother, the sentencing of former minister Ábalos, and a corruption investigation into party official Cerdán. The cascade of legal troubles has deepened the crisis within the PSOE.
→ Read the full digestFormer prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero charged 490,780 euros in 36 invoices to consulting firm Análisis Relevante for trips to China, Colombia, and Morocco described as 'client acquisition.' A court has blocked his bank accounts, limiting access to that amount.
→ Read the full digestA judge at the Audiencia Nacional has placed former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero at the head of an alleged stable and hierarchical structure of influence trafficking, marking the first time a former PM is investigated for corruption in democracy. The case revolves around the Plus Ultra rescue operation.
→ Read the full digestJudge José Luis Calama has summoned former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero as a suspect in the 'Plus Ultra' case, with charges including organized crime, false documents, and influence peddling. Police raided his office and related companies on Tuesday, investigating the alleged misuse of funds from the government's pandemic bailout of Plus Ultra airline.
→ Read the full digestJohan Van Overtveldt, chair of the European Parliament's budget committee, criticizes Spain for not passing a budget since 2023, creating suspicion among EU partners. He also calls for an investigation into alleged misuse of EU funds for pensions.
→ Read the full digestSpain's National Security Report acknowledges the threat from Russia's shadow fleet, with about 50 tankers detected each week near the Canary Islands, raising risks of accidents, pollution, or damage to underwater infrastructure. The government is increasing naval surveillance and port controls.
→ Read the full digestSpain's traffic authority (DGT) is reforming its driving test by adding video-based hazard perception questions alongside the traditional multiple-choice format. The change aims to shift from rote memorization to real-world assessment of risks.
→ Read the full digestKing Felipe VI and Vice President for Economy Carlos Cuerpo will travel to Canada next week to deepen trade relations and attract strategic investments. The mission seeks to reduce Spain's dependence on the US amid shifting geopolitical alliances, with trade already totaling €7 billion.
→ Read the full digestThe Ursa Major, a Russian state-linked cargo vessel, sank off the coast of Murcia in December 2024 after three mysterious explosions. New reports suggest it may have been transporting submarine nuclear reactors destined for North Korea.
→ Read the full digestThe Spanish government diverted €10 billion in EU funds meant for pension liquidity to other spending, confirmed by the European Commission. The move has caused a political scandal in Germany and raised legal questions in Spain.
→ Read the full digestA US Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, the largest in the fleet, docked at Gibraltar's port on May 10, 2026. A 200-meter exclusion zone has been set up around the vessel, underscoring NATO's presence near Spanish waters.
→ Read the full digestA Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo gives the Popular Party 44.7% of the vote and 55–58 seats in the 109-seat Andalusian parliament, enough to retain the absolute majority won in 2022. The PSOE and Vox remain stagnant or decline, while 2.7 million voters are still undecided a week before the 17 May election.
→ Read the full digestThe Audiencia Nacional sentenced ex-commissioner José Manuel Villarejo to 3.5 years for leaking a stolen phone card to two media outlets to discredit Podemos and its leader Pablo Iglesias. The verdict is the first judicial recognition of a police operation aimed at undermining a political party, part of the PP-era 'dirty war'.
→ Read the full digestIran warned it will deliver a 'firm and immediate response' to French and British warships near the Strait of Hormuz, after the two countries announced a joint naval mission to protect navigation. Iran's deputy foreign minister said only Iran can secure the strait and accused outside forces of militarizing the waterway.
→ Read the full digestForeign Minister Albares said Israeli authorities will free the Spanish activist within hours. Abukeshek was detained during a Gaza aid flotilla. Israel will deport him via Egypt, and Spain is working for his swift return.
→ Read the full digestThe Supreme Court trial of ex‑minister Ábalos and two others ended after 14 sessions. Many witnesses stayed silent due to related corruption charges. The verdict is now pending.
→ Read the full digestSpanish health authorities have identified a possible case of hantavirus in a woman from Alicante who was on the same flight as a passenger who later died in Johannesburg. The woman has been isolated at home and transferred to a hospital, awaiting PCR test results. The European Early Warning and Response System alerted Spain to two people on the flight destined for the country.
→ Read the full digest23 countries, the EU, and WHO are coordinating a plan for the MV Hondius cruise ship, where 3 people have died and 5 show symptoms of hantavirus. Passengers will be evaluated and immediately evacuated to home countries without contact with local population.
→ Read the full digestThe WHO has issued a global alert for three iodinated contrast media products (Accupaque, Omnipaque, Visipaque) that may contain metallic particles. These can cause complications such as stroke, embolism, or death when injected. Only 100ml plastic containers are affected.
→ Read the full digest