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Spain

What is happening there and why it matters.

So it makes sense

Spain is a country tested today by two things at once: migration and climate. Its exclave of Ceuta on the North African coast is the Union’s only land border with Africa — more than 80,000 people crossed it in the summer of 2026 and thousands stayed. At the same time wildfires and drought devastate the country year after year; in August 2026 a soldier died fighting fires in Aragon and the flames threatened monasteries holding the remains of Spanish monarchs. Spain is also a state of autonomous regions with their own identities, so Madrid’s relationship with Catalonia or the Basque Country is a permanent political theme, not an episode.

Who governs: The prime minister is Pedro Sánchez (PSOE). His government set up temporary accommodation in Ceuta for 1,800 migrants and, after criticism that it had underestimated the crisis, changed how it was managed. Sánchez also faces pressure inside his own party — after a raid on PSOE offices and the affair around Zapatero, questions opened about the budget and about his own position.
Who opposes: The government depends on the votes of regional parties, which makes the Catalan question a permanent lever. In July 2026 the EU Court of Justice ruled that Spain’s amnesty for separatists does not breach Union law, opening the way for Carles Puigdemont’s return. For part of the opposition the amnesty is the central charge against Sánchez.
Next election: The next parliamentary election is expected in 2027.

Context verified 30. 8. 2026. We update it when the government changes or an election comes — the news below is live.

What Spanish media say about themselves

last 4. 10. at 08:09

Amnesty: Morocco used Pegasus to spy on Spanish ministers — The report for the first time dates the years of infiltration and describes the work of Morocco's intelligence service DGST.

El Mundo
Youth unemployment jumped in September and makes up nine of every ten new unemployed — Growth was driven mainly by regularised migrants and people without prior work.

El Mundo
Junts is building its revival on Puigdemont's return; he wants to move the party to the centre before his arrival

El País, ABC
Catalonia halted most Rodalies services and restricted movement in 20 comarcas; water flooded Sants — Meteorologists expected up to 200 l/m² within six hours; earlier, a flood in Madrigueras (Albacete) had killed a woman.

El Confidencial, ABC, El País
Judge Tardónová sees indications against senior officials over the entry of migrants into Ceuta — She forbade investigators from informing their superiors; eldiario.es adds that beatings of migrants by soldiers continued even after the Defence Ministry knew of dozens of complaints.

El Mundo, eldiario.es
Poll: PP and Vox together have an absolute majority and lead the left by nearly 15 points

eldiario.es
Tenants' union reports 500,000 people in Madrid; nine police officers injured in Valencia — Housing protests took place in dozens of cities, and the organizers are calling for a general strike.

eldiario.es, El Español
Congress rejected two housing decrees; Sánchez is considering early elections on November 29 — PSOE is waiting for the prime minister's decision; according to El Español, his team sees a chance in the wave of protests, although the banners blame PSOE just as much as PP.

La Vanguardia, El Español, El País

How the neighbours see it

mentions of the country in media of surrounding states

The Spanish Senate failed to ratify the friendship treaty with France, which was blocked by the right-wing majority — According to 20 Minutes, Sánchez apologised to Macron for the failure.

🇫🇷 20 Minutes, 🇫🇷 20 Minutes
King Felipe VI will visit Ceuta and Melilla on October 13 and 14, two months after the migration crisis — BFM TV writes about over 70,000 people who crossed into Ceuta on July 30–31; Belgian La Libre describes the visit as diplomatically risky.

🇫🇷 BFM TV, 🇧🇪 La Libre
Far-right event in central Madrid features Nazi salutes — Dozens of people gathered on Saturday and, according to 20 Minutes, wanted to reach the square where housing activists are camped.

🇫🇷 Ouest-France, 🇫🇷 20 Minutes

What happened

6 reports over 14 days in 6 events

Felipe VI in Ceuta: Sánchez confirms, more than two months on, that Moroccan warships entered Ceuta's waters

King Felipe VI began his first visit to Ceuta in 19 years. Sánchez confirmed Moroccan warships entered Ceuta's waters as tens of thousands crossed the border.

HotInfo 13.10. 08:37

What Europe writes about: bloody Pryluky on Putin's birthday, Abascal's death intensifies Spanish campaign, Rubio stirs Athens

Russia strikes Pryluky on Putin's birthday, Abascal's death sharpens campaign before snap elections, Rubio mobilizes Europe from Athens. Overview from 37 countries.

HotInfo 8.10. 11:12

Sánchez wants to govern until the elections, opposition expects Vox to strengthen

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez wants to keep running the country until early elections via the parliament's standing committee. This approach is meant to...

HotInfo 7.10. 11:01

Spanish court lifts arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont

Spain's Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted, as a provisional measure, the arrest warrant against Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont. The decision is linked to …

HotInfo 6.10. 15:03

What Europe is Writing About: Spain Heads to Early Elections, German Intelligence Warns of Russia

Sánchez called elections for November 29 after housing decrees fell. Intruders gained access to data of 8.8 million Danes, German intelligence warns of Russia.

HotInfo 5.10. 13:20

Pedro Sánchez called early elections in Spain for 29 November

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced early parliamentary elections for 29 November on Monday. The decision came after parliament rejected government measur…

HotInfo 5.10. 10:26

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Spain

What Spanish media say about themselves

How the neighbours see it

What happened

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