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#politics
Begoña Gómez to Face Jury Trial as Court Drops Business Corruption Charges but Keeps Embezzlement
The provincial court lifts travel bans and passport seizures for the Spanish PM's wife, though she still faces trial for influence peddling and the misuse of public university software.
Historic Milestone: The Gibraltar Border Fence is Down as Schengen Integration Begins
A new era dawns for the Campo de Gibraltar region as a temporary EU-UK treaty takes effect, ending 117 years of physical separation and removing daily controls for 15,000 cross-border workers
Trump Reverses Course on Spain, Calling It "Very Generous" Hours After Trade Threat
Hours after ordering the Treasury to prepare a halt to trade with Spain, Trump praised the country aboard Air Force One, as officials began drawing up a list of Spanish goods for possible embargo
Trump Renews Attack on Spain at NATO Summit, Orders Trade Halt
Trump called Spain a "terrible partner" over defence spending and said he'd ordered a stop to all bilateral trade — Madrid says it's taking the statements calmly
Spain Unveils €505 Million Migrant Integration Plan
Pedro Sánchez announces a four-part integration and citizenship plan as the mass legalization program closes — even as Spain's Supreme Court weighs a challenge before the EU court
Spain Prepares New Housing Decree for July Vote
The ambitious two-part plan aims to lower rents, stabilise contracts, and mobilise affordable housing — including a VAT hike to 21% on tourist apartments
Spain's Migrant Legalization Drive Closes with 1.3 Million Applications
The program that began in April triples the government's forecast, with 360,000 of 900,000 registered applications already accepted for review
Spain Approves Record Funding Boost for Long-Term Care System
The government will inject an extra €2.218 billion in 2026 and the same again in 2027, raising total funding above €7.239 billion as it aims to split costs evenly with the regions
Sánchez's Wife Begoña Ordered to Stand Trial as Corruption Cases Pile Up Around Spain's PM
A Madrid judge has opened proceedings against the prime minister's wife and imposed travel restrictions, while the Supreme Court handed down a 24-year sentence in the "Koldo Case" mask scandal on the same day
Spain's "Watergate": How the Leire Díez Case Is Threatening Pedro Sánchez
A former PSOE activist nicknamed "the plumber" is accused of running a shadow operation to sway court cases involving the party. With "El One" appearing throughout her messages, the opposition is circling
Spain Approves Healthcare Labour Reform Without Doctors' Backing
The first overhaul of the Estatuto Marco in over 20 years caps the working week at 45 hours, but doctors say loopholes preserve 24-hour shifts and 70–90-hour weeks. Over 177,000 medics are striking
Spain's "Right to a Toilet" Movement Says Equal Floor Space Isn't Equal Access
An architect from Madrid's Polytechnic University is leading a campaign to redesign public toilets — pointing out that women spend 172 seconds per visit versus 117 for men, and that queues are a form of hidden discrimination
Former Spanish PM Zapatero Named Suspect in Money Laundering Case — First Time in History
The National Court has summoned the ex-prime minister for questioning on 2 June over the Plus Ultra airline bailout. He is suspected of leading a scheme that allegedly funnelled Venezuelan state money through a Spanish carrier
Andalusia Votes Right: What the Regional Election Results Mean for Spain's 2027 General Election
The People's Party won 41.6% but fell short of a majority, handing Vox the decisive role in forming a government. Healthcare and housing dominated the campaign — and both issues will be central in 2027
Why Is Spain So Corrupt? A Brief History and Eight Reasons the Problem Won't Go Away
With parliamentary elections approaching, corruption has become Spain's hottest political weapon. But the phenomenon is neither new nor simple — it stretches back centuries and involves structural, cultural, and psychological factors that no government has yet managed to fix.
Spain's Defence Budget Surged in 2025, Crossing the 2% GDP Threshold for the First Time in 20 Years
A new SIPRI report shows global military spending hit €2.49 trillion last year — and Europe is driving much of the growth, with 22 NATO members now meeting the 2% target for the first time since the Cold War
Spain Approves Massive Regularisation for Migrants: Applications Open This Week
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defends the landmark decree affecting up to 840,000 people as an "act of justice" and a necessity for the country's economic future
Triumph for Spanish Photojournalism: Three Spaniards Win at World Press Photo 2026
Brais Lorenzo, Luis Tato, and Diego Ibarra Sánchez are among the 42 winners of the world’s most prestigious photography contest, documenting everything from Galician wildfires to the education crisis in war zones