Editorials for El Español
- The contract of RTVE with El Terrat to sign David Broncano is more than 28 million euros for two seasons.
- The contract conditions are very advantageous for the producer and RTVE commits to maintain the program regardless of its audience.
- The contract generated controversy and precipitated a crisis in the public corporation.
- Broncano's signing seeks to modernize TVE and improve its audience data.
- The drawback is that the focus is shifting more towards entertainment and the nightly news time has been cut.
- The decision to compete in the prime time slot with El Hormiguero points to Moncloa's intention to mitigate the social influence of Pablo Motos.
- It is doubtful that the program can attract an older age bracket on television.
- The 28 million expense is questionable, especially compared to the costs of other concerning projects.
- Broncano's signing is associated with the government's tactics to politicize public television.
- Aberri Eguna has been used more as a pre-campaign platform than as a Basque Homeland Day celebration.
- The upcoming autonomic elections have intensified the PNV's criticisms towards EH Bildu.
- The president of the PNV has ridiculed Otegi's strategy of exhibiting a more moderate profile.
- Ortuzar accuses Bildu of having a 'hidden agenda' and of trying to reap the benefits of the PNV's economic successes.
- Bildu aims to stoke and exploit the fading separatist sentiment among jeltzale voters.
- Urkullu alerts about the threat posed by the abertzales ruling the Basque Country.
Conclusion: The threat of the State's hollowing out in the Basque Country could tip the balance in favor of rupture-independentism, and would regret Euskadi ceasing to be a thriving and recognised European nation to become an unknown neighbourhood somewhere.
- Pedro Sánchez changed Spain's historic position on Western Sahara in March 2022, recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.
- Despite the bilateral commitment, Morocco has exerted ongoing and repeated pressure against Spain.
- Morocco has recently blocked special entry permits for Moroccan workers in Ceuta and Melilla.
- Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved national driving license reciprocity with Morocco while Morocco restricts access of crucial workers.
- Morocco has implemented naval maneuvers in the waters near Canarias and installed an antenna next to Melilla, capable of intercepting communications.
- Suspicions exist about Moroccan involvement in espionage, drug trafficking, and the inconsistency in immigration cooperation.
Conclusion: The resumption of cordial relations with Morocco may be an illusion if Morocco's actions continue supporting their own interests more than the bilateral interests.
- The government has been slow to incorporate EU directives that increase the transparency of the upcoming elections.
- There will be confusion among voters since Spanish legislation allows local information on ballot papers instead of the overall coalition.
- This situation favors the major parties of coalitions and could give false representation in the European Parliament.
- There's a chance thousands of votes will be cast without voters fully understanding who they are supporting.
- The issue at stake is not just a legal technicality but the transparency of the system.
- The EU is a union of States, and electoral ballots must reflect this reality, not false local realities.
Conclusion: Manipulating the reality of candidacies through electoral confusion is a perversion of democracy and the electoral process. Spain still has a pending debt with transparency.
- The Spanish economy has been showing positive signs despite political instability.
- Positive economic data include an increase in tourism, good data for the first quarter of 2024, and an increase in the Spanish Stock Exchange.
- The government has made successful efforts to secure car production in Spain and the transition to the electric car.
- Economic concerns persist such as high unemployment, falling exports, a decrease in foreign investment, and GDP growth through debt and public spending.
- The need for political stability and legal certainty for economic growth is emphasized.
Conclusion: The Spanish economy has the potential for significant growth, but achieving political stability and legal certainty is essential for this.
- The signing of David Broncano has caused instability in the RTVE Administration Council.
- The refusal of PSOE and PP to reach an agreement for the appointment of a consensus president increases this instability.
- The presidency of RTVE will be rotating among the remaining directors until a new president is appointed.
- There are two different models of public television, one traditional and informative and another focused on entertainment.
- The dismissals of Elena Sanchez and Jose Pablo Lopez will not prevent Broncano's hire, but will likely reduce the length of the contract.
- Sanchez's dismissal does not mean her exit from the Administration Council.
Conclusion: RTVE is affected by the political battle in the Congress of Deputies and the lack of agreement between the two main political forces, confirming the state of institutional obstruction in Spain.
- PSOE is trying to balance its policy of concessions with Junts and ERC and firmness against the unilateral path in the electoral pre-campaign.
- The Government will appeal to the Constitutional Court against the independence initiative of the Parliament of Catalonia.
- The Government didn't take action until over a month after the initiative began to be processed in Parliament.
- The appeal can be seen as the first campaign act of the PSOE for the Catalan elections.
- PSOE needs to show its opposition to the reactivation of the unilateral path to make the program of its candidate Salvador Illa believable.
- Socialists are willing to negotiate a fiscal independence through a Catalan quota, something that is not constitutionally supported.
- The appeal has limited reach as Sánchez has agreed to erase the crimes of the independents.
Conclusion: PSOE is trying to prevent the corollary that follows from its own counterproductive agenda of 're-encounter', balancing its policy of concessions and its opposition to the independent unilateral path.
- PSOE has been promoting a campaign against Isabel Díaz Ayuso to divert attention from their own controversies.
- Demands for Ayuso's resignation are seen by some as unfounded and lacking legal basis.
- Some Government members have accused Ayuso of benefiting from a supposed tax fraud by her partner, accusations that have yet to be proven.
- Ayuso has adopted an aggressive defense strategy, which has been criticized as it may undermine her arguments.
- Cross-accusations and the use of personal life for political purposes have been prevalent in Spanish political discourse.
- This dynamic fuels polarization in Spanish politics, and reduces incentives for politicians to reduce levels of antagonism.
Conclusion: The editorial implies that a change of strategy from the political actors to reduce polarization and increase integrity would be beneficial.
- The recent terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall has highlighted the negligence of Russian secret services.
- Kiev, in spite of the Kremlin's attempts to connect them to the attack, maintains that it has never attacked civilians.
- The Afghan branch of the Islamic State, ISIS-K, has claimed responsibility for the massacre.
- The threat of Islamist terrorism remains very much alive, despite perceptions of a decreased activity.
- Putin dismissed warnings from U.S. intelligence and diplomacy about the imminent risk of an attack in Moscow.
Conclusion: Anti-Western rhetoric can increase mistrust and the risk of further attacks, requiring close international coordination to fight this threat.
- The Sánchez government has been frequently accused of evading accountability for the controversies and scandals it has faced, using Congress to oppose the opposition.
- The last few weeks have turned into a showcase for inquisition against the PP by the executive.
- This strategy of confrontation has awakened tensions and divisions within the government, and discontent among its partners.
- Spanish politics has turned into a crossfire between the two major parties, weakening public dialogue and parliamentary activity.
- The government and the PP are fueling a dynamic of action-reaction with unfounded accusations and speculations.
Conclusion: This political war has reached personal levels with an absurd war of spouses, increasing citizen fatigue and reaching levels of mediocrity and sterility in Spanish political life.
- For the first time in 45 years of democracy, the Senate will raise a conflict between constitutional bodies against the Congress of Deputies.
- The Senate Table will require the Congress to withdraw the Amnesty Law Proposal.
- The PP is using an uncommon institutional decision as a resource for dubious considerations of the 'unconstitutionality' of the norm.
- Opposition to the Amnesty Law is unlikely to automatically suspend its processing.
- The PP runs the risk of their requirement being dismissed, thus generating a significant setback to their theses against amnesty.
- It seems possible that the PP is following a 'maximal opposition' strategy in an attempt to compete with Vox.
Conclusion: The PP's action is strategically dubious and likely lacks a solid legal foundation, appearing to be more of a political tactic that is unlikely to prevent the continuation of the legislative procedure.
- The government is developing a public InfoJobs that prioritizes LGBTI citizens in job search.
- This measure violates the principle of equality of citizens and the moral principle of liberal societies.
- The positive discrimination of this measure is seen as simple and direct discrimination.
- The norm assumes a generalized discrimination that is uncommon in today's Spain.
- Selecting citizens based on their sexuality results in discriminating against non-LGBTI individuals.
- The government's methodology for determining who can access this service is controversial and could lead to fraud.
Conclusion: This positive discrimination plan could lead to a legally and morally indefensible injustice, and could undermine its original purpose of protecting those who might be truly discriminated against.
- The Russian elections resulted in the re-election of Vladimir Putin with more than 87% of the votes.
- There have been acts of dissent and dozens of arrests; the opposition in Russia is practically dismembered.
- Mysterious deaths have emerged among those who denounce corruption and criticize Russia's authoritarian drift.
- Following the invasion of Ukraine, repression has increased and all real dissenters are in jail or in exile.
- The recent elections, held under conditions of intimidation and without international observers, ensure the consolidation of Putin's power.
- Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a precursor to the opposition leadership, argues that there is no longer any way for the regime to fall democratically.
- It's proposed that the opposition organizes abroad, that Western governments do not recognize the legitimacy of the new government, and that Russia loses the war in Ukraine.
Conclusion: Only a strong Europe and United States providing economic and military support to Kiev can end this oligarchy led by Putin.
- Beneficiaries of the Amnesty Law believe it does not resolve the political conflict but rather advances Catalonia's independence.
- The Socialist Party contradicts itself by presenting Salvador Illa as a defender of the constitution while negotiating the independence referendum.
- Despite the Socialist Party's reconciliation narrative, meetings with Carles Puigdemont are not merely for amnesty supervision.
- Illa's credibility as a unionist leader is compromised if his party is negotiating Catalonia's independence, harming the Socialist Party of Catalonia.
- Social support for amnesty is decreasing among Catalans and the ERC refuses to acknowledge Illa as a regional leader.
Conclusion: The Socialist Party is managing a dual narrative between conciliation and separatism, creating confusion and demoralisation among its voters.
- Macron is open to sending French soldiers to Ukraine to support and train Ukrainian troops, but not to directly engage with Russia.
- The sending of European troops to Ukrainian battlefields has broken one of the most deeply rooted taboos of European politics.
- Macron is pressuring the EU to increase support for Ukraine, fearing that a Trump victory in the US presidential elections would end American aid.
- The sending of European troops to Ukraine is currently ruled out in most EU governments, with Germany leading the opposition to any gesture that could be interpreted as an escalation of EU support for Ukraine.
- Weakening support for Ukraine has emboldened the Kremlin and facilitated some of its most significant advancements on the battlefield.
Conclusion: According to Macron, the EU is only delaying the inevitable conflict that will come sooner or later if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine. The defense of Europe should be up to Europe, which implies a greater commitment to Ukraine.
- The Congress of Deputies approved the most divisive and contentious law of Pedro Sánchez's era, an amnesty oriented to Carles Puigdemont's demands.
- This law is viewed by many as an attempt by Sánchez to secure the stability of his weak administration with the support of problematic parties.
- Despite the amnesty law, Catalan nationalist parties stand undeterred from their independence goals.
- The amnesty hasn't brought about the desired stability, nor assures the approval of future budgets.
- The calling of early elections in Catalonia disrupts Sánchez's strategy and increases uncertainty.
Conclusion: This amnesty may have exacerbated political tensions rather than appease them, and has ushered an atmosphere of legislative and economic instability.
- The State Attorney's Office unequivocally defends the procés sentence in response to questions from the European Court of Human Rights.
- The document supports the proportionality of the sentence in relation to the gravity of the crimes and its conformity with the European Convention on Human Rights.
- The State Advocacy argues that changes in Spanish Penal Code do not alter the conclusion that the sentence was respectful with said Convention.
- It defends the competence of the Supreme Court to dictate the sentence and rejects the claim of the separatist leaders that they were convicted without evidence.
- It denies the violation of Oriol Junqueras's right to his political representation.
- The written indirectly contradicts the exposé of the Amnesty law, upholding that the procés was something more serious than a simple protest movement.
Conclusion: The Advocacy's text does not guarantee a favorable ruling from the ECHR, but it avoids the delegitimization of the sentence and the Supreme Court by another institution of the same State.
- The British Royal House has been under scrutiny due to a series of events, including photo tampering, family disputes, and health conditions.
- Prince Charles III has reduced his schedule due to a prostate cancer diagnosis.
- Kate Middleton's public absence and precarious health have fueled speculation.
- Explanations provided by the Royal House regarding the tampered photo of Kate Middleton have been less than convincing.
- Points to the need for enhanced transparency from the monarchy to maintain public trust.
- Expresses concern about the capability of deepfake technology to create false images indistinguishable from real ones.
- Applauds the introduction of regulations to govern the use of artificial intelligence, such as the AI Act in the European Parliament.
Conclusion: Transparency and integrity are vital for maintaining widespread trust in public institutions, and there is an urgent need emerging to govern the upcoming deepfake technology to prevent the spread of misinformation.
- There was a technical tie between the Socialist Party (PS) and the Democratic Alliance (AD) in Portugal's snap legislative elections.
- The social democrats have lost a significant amount of votes, falling from 42.5% to 28.7%.
- A majority alternative cannot be summed among the three left-wing parties.
- The country has shifted to the right and the far-right Chega! has tripled their results.
- AD's leader, Luís Montenegro, has refused to form a coalition with the far-right.
- The PS has shown willingness not to block a minority right-wing government.
- AD will rely on the support of the liberals or abstention from the PS or CH to avoid a repeat elections.
Conclusion: The elections reflect a shift in the Portuguese political scene, with a significant move to the right and a decline in the social democrats. However, the coalition for governance still remains in question.
- The Government has brokered the Amnesty Law at a high political cost.
- Pedro Sánchez's stance to exonerate the pro-independence leaders has caused popular rejection and has weakened the PSOE.
- Polls suggest the PSOE would lose seats in the next general elections, benefiting the PP.
- The governing coalition has empowered radical factions of the independence movement.
- PSOE records a fall in voting intention for the next European elections.
- Government's amnesty measures are highly unpopular, with a large majority of Spaniards against.
- The European elections, with their plebiscitary character, are likely not to favor the government.
- Sánchez has the opportunity to rectify his omission in the 23-J campaign.
Conclusion: The government is paying a high price for its amnesty policy, and public perception indicates that the PSOE is in a precarious position facing the upcoming elections.
- The Spanish economy is growing but at a pace slower than the rest of the Eurozone countries.
- The Spanish per capita GDP increased by 1.2% in 2023, but it is still 25.9% below the average European.
- The convergence of Spain with Europe is slow and marks as a pending task for the Spanish economy.
- Spain is lagging behind Italy and France in terms of income.
- Inflation is a problem in Spain, the prices have grown four points more than the income per inhabitant.
- The low performance of per capita GDP figures is largely due to the low productivity of Spanish workers.
- The Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, has the massive challenge of bringing about a change in economic mentality.
Conclusion: Spain, despite its economic growth, continues to lag behind European standards and faces problems such as inflation and low productivity among workers. The task of the current generations is to generate new wealth until a definitive convergence with Europe is achieved.
- The government congratulates itself on an amnesty law which Félix Bolaños describes as a 'global benchmark'.
- The government has conceded to Junts on what were previously non-negotiable points.
- The new amnesty law allows evasion of the Spanish Penal Code in favour of the independentist leaders.
- The offence of treason is included in the amnesty.
- The amnesty includes embezzlement offences where the convict has not personally benefited.
- The legal path to establishing the amnesty will be difficult in Spain and the EU.
- President Pedro Sánchez needs the approval of this law to maintain his position in office.
- The norm is rejected by the majority of Spanish society and notably by PSOE voters.
- The law is an unjust measure designed and pushed by those who have sought to benefit.
Conclusion: The amnesty law does not resolve underlying issues in Spanish society; rather, it gives impunity to those who have committed crimes and silences the voices of those who have suffered. Pedro Sánchez will be remembered in history for this law, but not in the way he imagines.
- The agreement between PSOE, ERC, and Junts could assure Pedro Sanchez two more years as president through the approval of the amnesty law and the General State Budget.
- The amnesty law would cover all people connected to the separatist process, which has pleased Junts.
- The rule could face complex legal challenges in both Spanish and European courts due to its controversial nature.
- The stability of the amnesty law and the General State Budget depends on Sanchez remaining in power.
- The removal of Sanchez would mean the fall of the agreement, creating a symbiotic relationship between Sanchez and Junts.
- This agreement could have profound consequences on the coexistence among Spaniards and further undermine trust in institutions.
Conclusion: The agreement on the amnesty law and the General State Budget creates a strong political dependency between Sanchez and the separatist groups, which could have significant repercussions on Spanish society and institutional trust.
- France has become the first country in the world to include the right to abortion in its Constitution.
- This decision has broad support from 58% of French citizens.
- The inclusion of abortion in the Constitution is seen as a shield against possible future changes in political majorities.
- There are doubts as to the need for this inclusion, as the right to abortion has been gradually extended through various reforms.
- The decision also has implications for other rights, such as religious freedom, as it blocks the possibility of such beliefs influencing public policies.
Conclusion: The decision to include abortion in the Constitution closes the legal debate, but not necessarily the ideological debate, providing protection against future political variations but raising questions about the exclusion of political debate.
- The European Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the governments of the Balearic and Canary Islands for irregularities in supply contracts for sanitary material during the pandemic.
- Although there is no judicial charge at the moment, this situation puts leaders Francina Armengol and Ángel Víctor Torres in a tense position.
- Responsibility of Torres is seen as political, whereas that of Armengol goes beyond this sphere and is considered of an institutional nature.
- Armengol, as president of the Congress represents all Spanish citizens and this investigation can tarnish her symbolic role.
- Armengol's former team is being investigated in connection with possible cases of corruption and bribes in public tenders.
- Armengol was warned about the suspicions of corruption of the company to which she bought masks, however, she went through with the purchase.
Conclusion: The current situation threatens the image and responsibility of Armengol and Torres, and adds pressure on Pedro Sánchez to take measures with regard to this.
- The Trans Law has caused harmful effects and opens the door to massive legal fraud.
- 37 men in Ceuta have legally changed their sex to female, but have kept their male name and marital status, taking advantage of positive discrimination measures.
- There are concerns about the repercussions of this Law on less demanding physical tests for women in oppositions to the National Police and Civil Guard.
- The Law promotes the potential for non-transgender persons to take advantage of female institutional recognition for fraudulent purposes.
- The 'gender self-determination' ideology has displaced biological reality and the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
- The law has provoked discord within the Spanish feminist movement and has led to the division between classical feminism and a more radical one.
- Reforms to the law are proposed to establish objective parameters and combat fraud and future misuse.
Conclusion: The Trans Law has brought numerous problems and controversies, from an increase in fraud to great social discontent. It needs to be reviewed and reformed to mitigate these problems and promote equity in an effective and fair way.
- Former Transport Minister, Ábalos, may be heavily involved in the Koldo case as new evidence comes to light.
- Mr. García's wife, an employee of the Transport Ministry, allegedly gave gifts and paid expenses for Ábalos and his partner worth 26,000 euros.
- The relationship between Ábalos and Koldo is suggested to have been more personal than professional, calling into question Ábalos's earlier claims.
- Evidence hint at hidden influence and corrupt activity of the former Minister within the operations of the Transport Ministry.
- Koldo was also involved in several public company boards, which later awarded contracts to Soluciones de Gestión SL.
Conclusion: The depth of the alleged corruption is becoming increasingly clear and may not be limited to the Transport Ministry, hence requiring a comprehensive and deep investigation.
- The Venice Commission's draft suggests that the amnesty law in Spain does not meet certain legal and political requirements.
- This law has caused a deep division in Spanish society.
- The Commission suggests that the 'normalization' of Catalonia is a legitimate objective.
- Amnesty should not be applied to specific individuals.
- The draft criticizes the Spanish government's use of emergency procedure.
- The Commission has not given its approval to the Spanish amnesty.
Conclusion: The findings of the Venice Commission's draft suggest that the current amnesty law does not meet several fundamental requirements, causing a deep division in Spanish society.
- The Supreme Court has opened a case against former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont for his connection with Tsunami, who is accused of terrorism. This complicates the amnesty law in the EU.
- The decision discredits the arguments of the deputy prosecutor, María Ángeles Sánchez Conde, and puts Pedro Sánchez in a difficult situation to defend.
- Junts is going to use the Supreme Court’s decision as evidence to reinforce that the inclusion of any type of terrorism in the amnesty law is necessary.
- The EU requires the pursuit of terrorism offenses, which inhibits any amnesty possibility for these crimes.
- An amnesty law that includes any type of offense could result in a legal and political conflict in Europe.
- If the law is limited to the offenses in the initial draft, it would be difficult for Junts to accept it without severe electoral repercussions.
Conclusion: Given these options, Pedro Sanchez has to either accept Junts' proposal or abandon it, risking the termination of an already weakened legislature.
- Scrutiny on Ángel Víctor Torres and Francina Armengol increased yesterday due to new revelations about the Koldo case.
- The President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, called for Armengol's resignation due to her implication in multiple scandals and her alleged role in the Koldo case.
- Armengol allegedly altered contracts so that masks purchased by her government would be paid with EU funds, despite knowing they were defective.
- Armengol also relinquished the claim for compensation for tens of thousands of useless masks.
- Ángel Víctor Torres is suspected to be involved in the awarding of four altered contracts to be funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
- Both politicians must take responsibility for their negligent behaviors during the pandemic.
Conclusion: The silence of those implicated only extends the shadow of suspicion in the Koldo case. Political responsibility must be owned and explained.
- PSOE suspends José Luis Ábalos as a party member after he refuses to leave his seat in Congress.
- Ábalos will join the Mixed Group, weakening the already fragile parliamentary majority of Pedro Sanchez's government.
- Although Ábalos faces no judicial charges, he's directly linked to the Koldo case, suspected of corruption.
- Shadows of suspicion are increasing over PSOE, with the European Prosecutor's Office investigating possible misappropriation of funds in the Government of the Balearic Islands.
- PSOE still has many questions to answer about its knowledge and complicity in this corruption scandal.
Conclusion: Although PSOE has shown decisiveness in the face of internal corruption, shadows of doubt remain about their implication and handling of these cases.
- Minister Óscar Puente has commissioned an internal audit in the Ministry of Transport to investigate possible internal ramifications of the Koldo case.
- The investigation is looking for officials who may have received illegal commissions in the purchase of masks during the pandemic.
- The anti-corruption prosecution lawsuit indicates a direct connection between Koldo García and ministry officials involved in questionable contracts.
- Audits are being urged in additions controlled by the PSOE, especially those that have a connection with the Koldo case.
- The investigation must focus on penal and political implications, including those who were aware of the bribery plot but did not act.
- PSOE's passive attitude is criticized and the suggestion that the possible withdrawal of José Luis Ábalos will be enough to appease the scandal.
Conclusion: The PSOE must take active responsibility in the investigation of this corruption plot, to ensure all implicated parties are identified and brought to justice, and not merely hope that the storm of controversy dies down.
- Pedro Sánchez has endured a week full of adverse events, including PSOE's worst historical result in the Galician elections and the reveal of the Koldo case.
- The Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) has been used to manipulate public opinion, through the dissemination of electoral polls at strategic moments.
- These polls have invariably been in favor of the government, creating an image of self-fulfilling prophecies.
- This practice has been repeated on multiple occasions, including the general campaign in which, despite predictions to the contrary, PSOE came in second.
Conclusion: The manipulation of public opinion through electoral polls disgraces Spanish democracy and robs the government of the authority to rebuke other parties on democratic matters.
- Within the last week, Ukraine marked the two most tragic dates of its 21st century, underlined by Russian aggression.
- Russia's dream of a swift victory over Ukraine has not come true, leading to a war of attrition.
- Ukraine has held out due to the sacrifice of its people, the courage of its leaders, and international aid.
- Western support for Ukraine is wavering, while Russia increasingly relies on China amid escalating tensions.
- Putin may see potential for a victory in a long war thanks to economic support from his ally and apparent Western irresoluteness.
Conclusion: Europe has to decide whether to secure the victory of Ukrainian resistance or run the risk of confronting Putin directly.
- The lieutenant prosecutor of the Supreme Court, María Ángeles Sánchez Conde, opposes investigating Carles Puigdemont for terrorism in the case of the Tsunami riots.
- Sánchez Conde finds insufficient evidence against Puigdemont and asks for the case to be returned to the National Court.
- Sánchez Conde's report contradicts eleven other prosecutors who did find enough hints to investigate Puigdemont for terrorism.
- The lieutenant prosecutor doubts that Tsunami was a structured and hierarchical organization with the aim of subverting the constitutional order and destabilizing Spain.
- Sánchez Conde's report coincides with the attorney general's view and provides a breather to the Government in the negotiations on the amnesty law with Puigdemont.
Conclusion: Despite Sánchez Conde's interpretation, the final say lies with the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court, and this newspaper believes that the judge's and the prosecutors' interpretation should prevail.
- The detention of Koldo García, advisor to former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, and 19 others caused a political scandal.
- Operation Delorme indicates that Koldo and his network may have exploited their position to gain illegal commissions for the awarding of mask purchase contracts in 2020 and 2021.
- The shadow of suspicion extends to other administrations and political personalities, including Pedro Sánchez.
- Sánchez denies knowledge of the contracts and deflects responsibility onto the PP.
- Justice is expected to determine the scope of the case.
- It is suggested that Ábalos holds supervisory responsibility and should resign and the PSOE should start an internal investigation.
Conclusion: This scandal is a major test for Sánchez, who needs to act with responsibility and swiftness to preserve his political legacy.
- PSOE and Junts are negotiating an amnesty law which seems stuck due to the insistence of independence on 'shielding the law'.
- Junts has shown its strength against PSOE by processing a Popular Legislative Initiative for a unilateral declaration of independence.
- The PSOE opposes amendments that would include terrorism and treason in the amnesty.
- Junts insists that independence of Catalonia is the only viable alternative and dismisses any federal attempt.
- PSOE is unwilling to accept that Junts has no interest in 'turning the page'.
- The possibility of a new debate about independence in the Parlament recalls the scenario of 2017.
- Despite having an unfavorable report on its unconstitutionality, an independent initiative has been admitted to processing.
Conclusion: The challenge of Junts towards the PSOE and their attempts to achieve Catalonia's unilateral independence are generating a tense political environment similar to 2017.
- The socialist failure in the Galician elections is attributed to Pedro Sánchez's excessive leadership and his alliance policy
- Sánchez's decision to nationalize the Galician autonomous campaign is criticized
- Sánchez's individual leadership may be overestimated, being the most discreet among PSOE leaders
- Sánchez's strategy has resulted in failure and has not generated reflection
- Sánchez's statements suggest disturbing possibilities for the future of PSOE
- The PSOE's own brand may be seen as a hindrance to Sánchez's plans
- Sánchez ends strong leaderships within the party and replaces them with leaders of his choice
Conclusion: Sánchez's leadership and strategic decisions may be damaging the image and success of the PSOE in the elections
- The recent Galician elections have significant repercussions for all of Spain.
- Surveys predicted a possible change in Galicia's political landscape.
- The crushing victory of the PP frustrated the intentions of the PSOE to consolidate their position.
- The PSOE made a strategic mistake by backing the BNG.
- The PSOE has also suffered a notable failure, achieving only 9 seats.
- High voter turnout, the highest since 2009, appears to have benefited the PP.
- The fragmentation of the left has benefited the PP.
- The humiliating defeat of the PSOE complicates its future political strategy.
- There is a trend of electoral disasters in Autonomous Communities under Sánchez.
Conclusion: The Galician elections mark a significant change in the Spanish political landscape, with a strong victory for the PP over the PSOE and the confirmation of PSOE's flawed strategy.
- The capture of Avdivka by the Russians strengthens their morale and supports the favorable climate for Putin.
- The Kremlin can be proud of its first success on the battlefield in nine months.
- An intensification of the Russian siege on the eastern and southern Ukrainian front line is expected in the coming months.
- The fall of Avdivka is Ukraine's worst defeat since the conquest of Bakhmut in May.
- The death of Alexei Navalny in prison is another blow to the Russian opposition.
- Putin is about to be reelected as president and U.S. military aid to Kiev is blocked.
- Trump's threat to withdraw the United States from NATO if reelected has sown uncertainty among allies.
- The Russian economy has surprisingly resisted the sanctions well thanks to its abundance of raw materials and the potent war industry.
Conclusion: If the West does not prepare for Russian imperialism and if it lets Kiev down, Putin's war will extend to other places. The future of the free world is also at stake in Ukraine.
- The regional elections in Galicia are more than a leadership contest at the local level.
- There is a potential for change with BNG candidate Ana Pontón possibly breaking the cycle of absolute majorities of the PP.
- Concerns exist that a government led by Pontón might implement radical policies, especially in terms of fiscal and identity matters.
- A Pontón presidency could result in the three historical communities—Galicia, Basque Country, and Catalonia—being governed by separatist parties.
- Votes to the right of the PP could have the effect of boosting the chances of BNG coming into power.
- Elections are also taking place at a time of national political tension with President Pedro Sánchez.
Conclusion: These elections can have significant implications for both the political stability and future of not just Galicia, but Spain as a whole.
- PSOE, Sumar, Podemos, ERC, and BNG voted against considering the police and civil guards as 'profession at risk' in the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament.
- Despite the opposition of the PSOE and its partners, the proposal was approved and will be debated again on March 19.
- The proposal has been supported by the Spanish Police Confederation and several other security organizations.
- In Spain, the Mossos, the Ertzaina, and others are considered 'profession at risk', but the national police and civil guards are not.
- The PP included this proposal in its electoral program.
- The editorial criticizes the labor discrimination of the police and civil guards compared to the Mossos and the Ertzaina.
Conclusion: It is pointed out that there are no valid reasons for not recognizing the police and civil guards as a 'profession at risk'. The refusal of the cited parties seems to reflect political aspects rather than an objective assessment of the profession.
- King Felipe VI in his speech highlights the need for an independent justice system for the existence of a democratic political community.
- Referring to the deadline for the PSOE and Junts to reach an agreement on the Amnesty Law, he indicates that the independence of justice is the essence of the rule of law.
- The King defends the need to respect judicial resolutions, referring to the amnesty and the judgments of the courts that condemned the procés.
- He points out that the Government, due to its ties with separatism, does not comply with various judgments, such as those relating to teaching in Spanish in Catalonia.
- Calls for ensuring the effectiveness of Community Law and the values of the Union, giving a message to European judges to act if Union law is violated.
- The King emphasizes that judges are independent, irremovable, and liable, subject only to the law, adding more importance to the negotiation for the Amnesty Law between the PSOE and Junts.
Conclusion: The King's speech focuses on defending judicial independence, marking respect for judicial resolutions, and emphasizing the importance of Community Law and the values that underpin the Union.
- The Civil Guard's report exposes the weakness and obsolescence of current vessels, an easy target for narco-boats.
- The lack of resources and agents, coupled with the inadequacy of protocols, have become evident after recent tragedies.
- The Government's response has been criticized as routine and lacking drive.
- Questions have been raised about the dismantling of the specialized unit Ocón Sur and the Government's posture regarding drug trafficking.
- Pro-government media outlets have cast unjust suspicions upon the Civil Guard.
- Drug trafficking in the Strait has escalated in violence, spurred by apparent governmental negligence.
- Current methods have allowed mafias to operate with better resources and greater violence.
Conclusion: The government's response to the upsurge in drug trafficking violence and its handling of this issue is inadequate and disappointing, fostering an environment of impunity and unjust suspicion towards the Civil Guard.
- Donald Trump publically stated that he would not defend NATO countries that did not pay their contributions in the event of a Russian invasion and would even encourage Moscow's attack.
- According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, this comment has grave implications and could put American and European soldiers in danger.
- Trump has shown an apparent lack of commitment to the mutual defense of Alliance member countries and has aimed to reduce US contributions, forcing each member country to boost their own armies.
- Trump's proposal could spur Moscow's expansionary interference, benefit China and Iran, and ultimately destabilize the international order.
- Trump's understanding of NATO is incorrectly; Atlantic Treaty members do not pay the US, but contribute to a common fund.
Conclusion: If Trump returns to presidency and pursues an isolationist policy, it could cause a destabilization of the international order and force Europe to fend for itself against possible threats.
- The special attorney Robert Hur exonerated Joe Biden from any criminal responsibility for the misappropriation of secret documents.
- Hur's report suggests Biden is unable to remember significant events, raising concerns about his ability to serve as president.
- The White House rejects the aggressiveness of the report, attributing Biden's lapses to old age.
- The anticipated electoral battle between Biden (81 years old) and Trump (77 years old) reflects a trend toward gerontocracy in US politics.
- A large number of U.S. leaders are elderly, doubting their suitability to face the current geopolitical instability.
Conclusion: The advanced age of U.S leaders opens a necessary debate on representation and the suitability of such figures to lead in turbulent times while considering the possibility of yielding to younger candidates.
- The resolution of the European Parliament condemns Russian interferences and mentions Carles Puigdemont.
- The European Parliament expresses concern over the destabilization of the EU through Catalan separatism.
- Spanish authorities are encouraged to investigate the links of Catalan nationalism with the Kremlin.
- Amnesty for Catalan separatists would imply ignoring the warnings of the European Parliament.
- Terrorism accusations and Russian connections put Pedro Sanchez in a difficult position.
- Potential reforms to judicial laws and amnesty are at risk.
- Carles Puigdemont could force an institutional conflict in Spain and the EU.
- There is a deadline for the negotiation of amendments to the amnesty law, which could affect the stability of Sanchez's government.
Conclusion: Pedro Sánchez faces critical decisions that could affect his tenure and Spain's relationship with the EU, while Catalan separatism and Russian involvement further complicate the situation.
- Farmers' protests against the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) continue in various regions, despite lack of support from the three main trade union organizations.
- More protests are expected to join, including a strike in the transport sector.
- Brussels urges not to oversimplify the protests as a fight against the 2030 Agenda and sustainability goals.
- The president of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, supports the farmers' demands, but asks that economic activity not be obstructed.
- A call is made for food, environmental, and animal welfare safety rules to be applied to producers outside the EU.
- The agricultural crisis has been exacerbated by drought and conflict in Ukraine, which have driven up energy prices.
Conclusion: Protests are legitimate, but should not risk other economic sectors or violate citizens' rights. Environmental sustainability must be compatible with the survival of the farming sector.
- There is a plot that coordinated the media treatment of the violent actions of Tsunami in Catalan televisions, radios, and digital platforms.
- This plot communicated through a Telegram chat created and led by Oriol Soler.
- 26 high-ranking or highly visible journalists in Catalan media were part of this plot, manipulating and distorting news related to Tsunami.
- The report mentions the lack of independence of the journalists in the group and their submission to Soler's guidelines.
- It's stated that the Mossos d'Esquadra, who are considered to be at the service of separatism, are the ones who define what is or is not violence.
- The Civil Guard's report highlights the submission of Catalan media to the most radical branches of separatism.
Conclusion: The unveiled plot evidences the infiltration of the procés in politics, business, and the media, a concerning factor that the Government tries to hide, posing questions about the path chosen by the same.
- The Government is seeking to resume negotiations with Junts after it voted against the Amnesty Law Proposal.
- President Sánchez proposes to modify the Criminal Prosecution Law to limit the time of instruction of judicial processes.
- This intermediate alternative would avoid the need to interact with the Amnesty Law, meeting more of Junts’s conditions.
- The reform of the Criminal Prosecution Law could pave the way for impunity for serious crimes.
- The Government is resorting to legal and verbal engineering to get around Junts's veto.
- Numerous legislative changes have occurred to accommodate the demands of separatist leaders.
Conclusion: This handling of the legislative process constitutes a serious deviation from its nature, making general changes for a specific case. Sánchez seems willing to negotiate and review even the most basic principles depending on circumstances.
- The United States has bombarded more than 85 military targets in Iraq and Syria, in retaliation for the death of three American soldiers.
- The attacks resulted in 18 casualties in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard and pro-Iranian militias.
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard and pro-Iranian militias consider the attacks a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
- Syrian authorities warn that the bombings will feed the conflict in the Middle East.
- The United States advocates for the end of aggression by paramilitary and Islamic terrorist groups, but denies seeking war with Iran.
- The recent bombings follow the US strategy of sending a message to its enemies without getting involved in a larger war.
- The United States has been reducing its presence in the Middle East following the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, in line with its new geopolitical priorities.
- Iran seeks control of the area through proxy forces, as well as the extension of its influence.
- The risks of greater instability in the region due to US retaliation cannot be ruled out.
Conclusion: Iran and the United States are turning Iraq and Syria into a board for sending messages and demonstrating their military power, which leads to an increasingly volatile situation in the Middle East. An error or accident can trigger a fatal conflict.
- The Catalan regional government declared an emergency due to drought after 38 months of scarce rainfall.
- The drought affects almost six million people, and the affected areas are below 16% of their water capacity.
- In 2008, Catalonia went through a similar situation, but Catalan authorities opposed the transfer from the Ebro.
- The current situation is the result of the lack of foresight of a Catalan nationalism that rejects the transfer of water from the Ebro.
- The shortage could affect not only individuals and agriculture, but also industry and tourism.
- The Spanish administrations should recognize the water reality and take corresponding measures, including a national pact for water.
Conclusion: There are evident tensions around water distribution and a pact appears necessary that balances the needs of all parties, including industry, agriculture, and the tourism sector, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
- President Pedro Sánchez denies that Catalan separatism is equivalent to terrorism.
- This statement can be seen as an attempt to influence ongoing investigations and judicial processes.
- In this way, Sánchez contradicts prosecutor Miguel Ángel Carballo, who is seeking the maximum penalty for twelve members of the CDR accused of terrorism.
- The President of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, stated that separatists are neither terrorists nor criminals.
- The leaders of the procés demand a comprehensive amnesty that contemplates all crimes.
- Sánchez could be hinting at a reform of the Penal Code to redefine the crime of terrorism.
Conclusion: With these statements, Pedro Sánchez seems to be interfering to influence the trial of the Catalan separatists, raising concerns about respect for the Judiciary.
- The Spanish government is rushing to stop local agricultural organizations from joining European agricultural protests.
- The agricultural sector, hard hit by energy costs arising from the crisis in Ukraine, is calling for the suspension of several trade agreements.
- Protests focus on unequal access for foreign producers to European markets, labeled as unfair competition.
- EU health and environmental regulations should be equally imposed on international producers.
- Other problems include drought, the complexity of the CAP and labor and production cost issues.
- There is general acceptance of the agricultural and livestock sector being collateral victims of economic downturn policies.
- The claims of the agricultural sector are reasonable and a unified response from the EU is needed.
Conclusion: The unfair competition by international producers needs to be addressed by the EU. The agri-protests are a reflection of serious issues threatening the food supply chain and our dependency on producers outside the EU.
- Pedro Sánchez faced a dilemma: yielding to the intransigence of Junts or adhering to the values of the European Union.
- An imminent accusation of Puigdemont due to his connections with Russia destabilizes both Spain and Europe.
- Modifying the amnesty to cover all types of terrorism and treason is impossible.
- The vote on amnesty could affect the budget and thereby government stability.
- The failure of the vote has caused anger in the ranks of the PSOE, possibly forecasting future difficulties.
Conclusion: The current situation in Spain showcases a tense dynamic between the Government and Junts, with the latent threat of political instability and legislative challenges. Meeting Junts' demands or maintaining EU values is a dilemma for Sánchez.
- Judge Joaquín Aguirre implies an imminent charge against Carles Puigdemont for treason against a backdrop of a disputed amnesty law.
- Puigdemont's emissaries allegedly met with the Russian mafia in Moscow seeking to destabilize the EU through the Catalonian independence process.
- The implications of these meetings question Brussels' endorsement of the aforementioned amnesty law.
- An investigation by several international media linked MEP Tatjana Zdanoka with Catalonian nationalism and Russian intelligence.
- These recent revelations bring up more hurdles for the amnesty law to be passed and credit new accusations.
Conclusion: The government is aware that the amnesty law, which covers crimes such as terrorism and treason, threatens the survival of the state and peaceful coexistence in Spain.
- The PSOE attempts to frame the concession of amnesty as a benevolent act, while Junts remains firm in their pursuit of independence.
- Pedro Sanchez believes that incorporating Junts and ERC strengthens Spanish democracy.
- PSOE's political strategy includes pardons, the reform of the Penal Code and amnesty, despite the contradictions.
- PSOE goes back in time to justify the need for an amnesty presenting the independentists as victims of PP.
- The pursuit of 'coexistence' in Catalonia has caused a rupture in the rest of Spain.
- The disposition to grant amnesty for certain terrorism crimes opens the door to penal benefits for ETA members without blood crimes.
Conclusion: The amnesty and Catalonian policy of the PSOE are filled with contradictions and have unintended harmful effects, which are already beginning to be felt across Spain.
- Santiago Abascal has been re-elected as the president of Vox until 2028, amid internal criticism related to the party's direction.
- Vox and Podemos both have hyper-personalist leadership styles that maintain orthodoxy in their respective parties.
- Internal tensions are causing key figures to leave both Vox and Podemos.
- Podemos' current state of weakness is a reflection of the decline of the popular support it once had.
- Vox maintains a significant parliamentary presence and its voting intention is above 10%, unlike Podemos which is marginalized.
- Despite their differences, both Vox and Podemos are experiencing internal crises.
Conclusion: The downfall of these parties is seen as a sign of the fading of populist politics in Spain, and while there will always be space for extreme ideologies, Spain will be better off the less weight inflammatory rhetoric practicing parties have in politics.
- The Government has tried to evade its responsibility in the wiretaps to the president of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès.
- The wiretaps were authorized by the Supreme Court before the PSOE came to power.
- The wiretaps to Aragonès were approved with the PSOE already in power.
- The reason for the requests was the suspicion that Pere Aragonès could be coordinating the actions of the CDR.
- The Government defends that the CNI did not inform the Government that it was spying on Pere Aragonès.
Conclusion: The Government, due to its obligation to know about CNI operations, should have known about the eavesdropping on its government partners. If it didn't know, then there is a serious ignorance of the Government about what happens in its own scope of action.
- The PSOE is correct to not take disciplinary measures against García-Page for his criticism of the party.
- García-Page has never deceived anyone with his opinions on pacts with Basque and Catalan nationalists.
- His opinions coincide with those defended by many high-ranking members of the PSOE a few months ago.
- García-Page and Pedro Sánchez represent different facets of the PSOE, both are valid.
- García-Page has been an asset for the PSOE with his criticism and firm positions.
- The PSOE will need to reflect critically on its policies when it leaves power.
Conclusion: García-Page has been valuable for the PSOE, demonstrating that it is not an ideologically dead party, and his critical stance may be beneficial for the party's future reflection and evolution.
- The university entrance system is fragmented due to different names and evaluation standards in each community.
- The PP's proposal of a unified test could further widen the division between communities governed by the PP and those by the PSOE.
- This proposal might discourage the PSOE from seeking a common examination agreement.
- Politics should not interfere in the educational system.
- A harmonisation of the Spanish education system through a unified EBAU and a common syllabus is needed.
Conclusion: A pact between the PP and the PSOE to agree on a common education policy and a unified EBAU is essential.
- The solution to the Palestinian conflict needs a 'two-legged pincer', which entails the Abraham Accords and the two-state solution.
- The Abraham Accords aim to isolate Palestinian extremists diplomatically, forcing them to accept a reasonable peace plan.
- The two-state solution assumes that Palestinians will agree if Israel gives in on all key points.
- The future Palestinian state can only be achieved after recognition of the Israeli state and renouncement of any form of violence or later claim to the agreement.
- So far, there doesn't seem to be willingness from Palestinian leaders to accept these conditions.
Conclusion: Refusing to recognize a potential Israeli state in the long run only extends the conflict. The solution will likely end up being the consolidation of two peaceful states.
- The inclusion of terrorism offenses in the amnesty law represents a crossing of the red line that the Government had drawn for itself.
- The amnesty law is a new concession to Junts to exclude Carles Puigdemont, Marta Rovira, and others from court conviction.
- The assault at Prat in 2019 ended in the death of a French tourist, leading to a charge of terrorism against the former president of the Generalitat.
- The government's decision to include terrorism offenses in the law violates democratic and legal common sense and offends Spanish judges.
- The government has been trying to pre-emptively grant amnesties for hypothetical future terrorism offenses without actually acknowledging what it is doing.
Conclusion: The new amnesty law including allowances for terrorism offenses is an affront to jurisdiction and democracy, seen as a means of political survival that could have severe future consequences.
- Pedro Sánchez announces a significant reinforcement plan in Mathematics and reading comprehension, which can be interpreted as a tacit acknowledgment of the failure of the Celáa Law.
- The Government will allocate around 500 million euros to students from 3rd grade to 4th year of Secondary School.
- Over the years, the student proficiency barrier has been lowered, leading to a decline in education quality.
- The PP accuses Sánchez of simply replicating their proposals for educational improvement.
- Spain's worst performance in Mathematics in the 2022 PISA report mirrors the failures of the current education system.
- Despite the influence of the pandemic and technological distractions, the main cause of educational deterioration is a mistaken pedagogical model based on modern theories and focused on emotional education.
- Continuous modifications to the education system, depending on the ruling party, have negatively impacted the stability of education.
- Sánchez could take an opportunity for an educational pact that adopts a new pedagogical approach and establishes objective evaluation criteria.
Conclusion: President Sánchez has the challenge and the opportunity to rectify the course of education in Spain through an educational pact that implements a new, objective, and effective teaching model.
- María Jesús Montero's references to the physical appearance of her political counterparts stir controversy as they are seen as inappropriate for political debate.
- The escalation of aggressive language is not exclusive to Montero, but includes the three vice presidents of Sánchez.
- In regards to the ecological transition, Teresa Ribera sparked controversy by attacking Josu Jon Imaz.
- Yolanda Díaz has shown hostility towards business leadership in discussions about salaries.
- Ribera supported the separatist discourse of lawfare, suggesting political motivations behind the investigation into Carles Puigdemont.
Conclusion: The government appears to be in a state of impotence, reflected in an escalation of hostility and political confrontation. This could be part of a distraction strategy aimed at the upcoming European elections.
- Felipe VI made significant changes to the organizational chart of Zarzuela, appointing Camilo Villarino as the new Chief of the House and keeping Jaime Alfonsín as Private Advisor.
- It is speculated that the changes signal an attempt to enhance the image of the Crown in a complex global context.
- Villarino has worked for foreign ministers from both the PP and PSOE, bringing experience and autonomy to the role.
- Villarino has recently been in charge of the office of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy.
- Sánchez chose to sacrifice González Laya to reorient Spain's position on the Sahara in favor of the Moroccan arguments.
- The monarchy currently plays a vital role in the unity of Spain and the cohesion of the Spaniards.
Conclusion: All these changes appear to indicate an attempt to strengthen the monarchy's position in the current global and political context, while maintaining its connection with Spanish society.
- Vice President Teresa Ribera contradicts Pedro Sanchez regarding the role of collaboration between public and private sectors.
- Ribera criticizes Josu Jon Imaz, CEO of Repsol, accusing him of challenging climate change measures.
- Imaz insists on the need to rethink European energy policies to achieve decarbonization.
- The Vice President also criticized Repsol for granting fuel discounts, something that has not been criticized in other energy companies.
- Repsol defended itself by highlighting its projects to reduce emissions and its investment in low carbon energies.
Conclusion: Teresa Ribera's attacks appear to be more out of animosity than technical disagreement, highlighting the lack of coherence in the government's approach to climate change and energy transition.
- Pedro Sánchez emphasized on global digitization governance and criticized the empty promises of some Silicon Valley gurus in his speech at the Davos Forum.
- Sánchez advocated for public participation in guiding tech innovation and criticized neoliberalism.
- The Spanish president aims to link national and business prosperity with the fulfillment of ecological goals, gender equality, and active state participation in the economy.
- Sánchez wants to rethink the idea of social democracy and the Welfare State, suggesting a more active role of the State in wealth creation.
- The article critiques Sánchez's view, suggesting that his interventionism could hinder economic dynamism and competitiveness.
Conclusion: While Sánchez may present an attractive vision of a more active and participatory state in the economy and society, there is concern that his vision may lead to interventionism and overregulation, which could harm the economy.
- The PSOE seeks to 'shield the amnesty' in response to Junts' demands and ensure its 'immediate application'.
- Junts seeks the return of fugitive Carles Puigdemont without complications or delays.
- The PSOE proposes amendments that clarify that national courts are responsible for the application of the amnesty.
- The PSOE seeks to ensure that Puigdemont is not arrested, even if the European Union Court of Justice finds the amnesty incompatible with EU law.
- The amendments of the PSOE aim to circumvent any obstacles that prevent the return and political rehabilitation of former President Puigdemont.
Conclusion: The amnesty process seems tailored to meet the demands of the amnestied and to maintain a legislature under the influence of a fugitive from justice.
- Pedro Sánchez plans on passing a regulation to control young people's access to pornography.
- Approximately 20% of youth are exposed to sex through porn.
- Pornographic contents can contribute to objectification and normalization of sexual violence.
- Early access to pornography can have negative effects on a physical and emotional level.
- There are objections to the practicability of this control on the Internet, in addition to potential privacy violations.
- A possible solution is a preventive approach through education and digital training, and social consensus that pornography can be harmful.
Conclusion: While absolute control of pornographic content on the internet is almost an impossibility, it's necessary to look for alternatives like education to protect young individuals, and instill in them responsibility in their future sexual practices.
- 84.9% of Spaniards are in favor of banning mobile phones in the classroom.
- This opinion traverses ideologies and most autonomous governments are developing regulations to this effect.
- The Catalan Government proposes regulations allowing each center to establish its own rules.
- The Ministry of Education proposes a ban throughout the entire school day.
- A State Pact is needed to find a coordinated solution among the different regional executives.
- Mobile phones are not considered an appropriate educational tool for the classroom.
- Performance of Spanish students has worsened over the last decade, partly attributed to excessive mobile use.
- Any regulation should be based on scientific evidence.
- Concern about effects on attention, school failure, cyberbullying, and mental health calls for common regulation.
- Besides the prohibition, parental education plays a key role in the responsible use of devices.
Conclusion: While a broad consensus agrees to limit mobile phone use in classrooms, the need for parental education in their responsible use is also highlighted. A State Pact emerges as urgent for the most restrictive regulation possible on this matter.
- Prominent leaders of Junts, ERC and BNG back the demonstration in favor of the liberation of ETA prisoners.
- This support for ETA prisoners can be interpreted as a demand for legal impunity, using the Amnesty Law to benefit specific criminals.
- 142 of the 155 ETA prisoners are already in prisons in Euskadi and Navarra following the dispersion policy of the Government of Pedro Sánchez.
- The separatist organization abertzale calls for the 'return home' of Basque prisoners, and EH Bildu speaks of 'repatriation of Basque political prisoners'.
- Catalan and Basque separatists use similar rhetoric to justify amnesty for Catalan coup plotters and ETA prisoners.
- These separatist movements, which have been advised by former ETA collaborators, reinforce the alliance among nationalist groups.
- The Basque Government now holds penitentiary competences.
Conclusion: The support shown by the leaders of Junts and ERC, coupled with the use of similar rhetorics and negotiation with former ETA collaborators, reinforce a common separatist front.
- Yolanda Díaz has increased the minimum wage by 5%, even above the figure originally offered to the unions. This is seen by some as a punishment to the businesses.
- The lack of objective justification for the 5% increase, and the stance of CEOE and Cepyme, indicate that this increase may have been arbitrary.
- The cost of the minimum wage increase to businesses will be significant, increasing their financial burden.
- The Bank of Spain had previously warned of the negative impact on employment that a minimum wage increase can have.
- The minimum wage increase may disproportionately affect small businesses and the most vulnerable workers, such as young and precarious workers.
Conclusion: The minimum wage increase was implemented in a way that appears punitive to businesses, and may have undesired economic effects on employment and small businesses.
- The agreement between PSOE and Junts could threaten equality among Spaniards by acknowledging Catalonians' historical rights and prior territorial structure.
- The commitment raises the possibility of reverting to historical privileges not currently present in the 1978 Constitution.
- The editorial questions why only Catalonia and not other regions can revert to a specific point in the past for their rights.
- The revision of Catalan history and the desire to interpret it in favor of nationalist interests can lead to inequalities among citizens based on their birth region.
- PSOE has a likelihood of opening the door to financial demands similar to those of the Basque Country or Navarre, potentially affecting fiscal redistribution in Spain.
Conclusion: The agreement between PSOE and Junts can lead to potential issues of inequality and fiscal tensions in Spain, depending on how it is interpreted and implemented.
- The government passed two out of three decree laws thanks to an abstention from Junts.
- The third decree, related to unemployment benefits, was rejected due to a vote against it from Podemos.
- The approval of decrees was achieved at a high cost, including transferring immigration powers to the Generalitat.
- The deal also includes the publication of fiscal balances, a long-standing demand of Catalan nationalism.
- The government has agreed to modify the Capital Companies Law to allow for the return of the companies that left Catalonia in 2017.
- The remaining concessions include lowering the VAT of oil to 0%, increasing the budget for the digitization of Justice and acknowledging Catalonia's historical rights in local administration.
Conclusion: These actions demonstrate that this legislature is becoming a great trial for Sánchez who, in order to pass his laws, is making significant concessions that are weakening the role of the State in Catalonia and imposing a significant burden on the rest of Spain.
- Junts demanded fines for companies that left Catalonia due to the procés and have not yet returned.
- This demand is seen as Junts' attempt to get something in exchange for their seven votes for the anti-crisis decrees.
- Foment del Treball and ERC reject the idea of sanctions or incentives to bring companies back to Catalonia.
- The government does not outright oppose the sanctions and avoids alienating its parliamentary partners.
- The idea of sanctions would be immediately vetoed by the EU as it benefits one community at the expense of others.
- Junts proposes a 'mandatory business immersion' that forces companies to re-establish themselves in Catalonia, regardless of whether it harms their interests.
- The president of the CEOE highlights the need for legal security for companies to return to Catalonia.
Conclusion: Security, both legal and political, is the best recipe for getting companies to return to Catalonia. Without it, they will hardly return as long as Junts and ERC maintain their pro-independence stance.
- Thousands of tiny plastic granules from a ship have washed up on Galician beaches, turning into a political issue.
- Several political leaders are using this incident as a campaign point for the upcoming elections in Galicia.
- The Xunta de Galicia could be sued for inaction over this spill.
- The plastic granules are not toxic to humans but potentially harmful to marine fauna.
- Comparing the granules spill with the Prestige disaster is questionable.
Conclusion: Balanced responses and solutions are needed from political leaders, rather than exploiting the incident for political and electoral purposes.
- The PSOE has tried to justify the Amnesty Law by saying that it will definitively resolve the Spanish territorial conflict.
- As time goes by, this decision seems to be increasingly unpopular among the majority of Spaniards, appearing to be a favourable treatment to the separatists.
- Polls show that there has been an increase in opposition to this amnesty among citizens.
- The opposition to the Amnesty Law among socialist voters has also increased, invalidating the idea that the PSOE has managed to convince its base.
- An increasingly large percentage of citizens support that parties that call for an illegal self-determination referendum be penalized with prison and be banned.
Conclusion: The attempt to justify the Amnesty Law has failed to convince the majority of Spanish citizens and has generated a growth in opposition to the law, even among PSOE voters.
- The Spanish Left registered a project on December 27 that has garnered increasing interest.
- The project has been in gestation for over three years in the think tank El Jacobino.
- Concessions to separatism have conveniently overlapped with the calendar of the next European elections.
- European elections are more favorable for minority forces.
- The Spanish Left seems optimistic despite potential electoral handicaps.
- The party has faced criticism from Podemos and Sumar, who portray it as a disguised right.
- The new party aims to attract dissatisfied voters from the Socialist Party.
- The Spanish Left faces an organizational and economic challenge.
- Spanish political culture may not be familiar with Del Valle's proposal of centralist politics.
Conclusion: The success of The Spanish Left will depend on its ability to generate interest among the population and overcome organizational and economic challenges.
- PSOE lawyers report violent actions on December 31st in front of their headquarters as constituting up to six offenses, including threats, insults, and hate crimes.
- PSOE supports its complaint with previous convictions for attacks on Vox and Santiago Abascal for threat and hate crimes.
- The thesis that socialist ideas are persecuted in Spain is questioned, given the influence of the PSOE in the democratic history of the country.
- Rejection of Sánchez's policies and pacts is considered legitimate political criticism.
- The conversion of legitimate protest into harassment and insult is alarming, evoking the lynch mobs of the French Revolution and the October Revolution.
- Increasing minority protests do not represent all citizens, but their marginality requires Spanish political parties to disapprove of Vox unless it condemns these actions.
Conclusion: Physical violence often follows the trivialization of symbolic violence. It is the responsibility of parties, courts, and citizens to prevent this from happening in democratic Spain.
- The People's Party's proposal to sanction parties condemned for 'constitutional disloyalty' sparks criticism.
- The spokeswoman for Sumar and the Minister of Defense condemn the proposal.
- The People's Party responds to criticism, maintaining that it does not seek to persecute ideas, but criminal acts.
- There are doubts about the constitutionality of the measure and its effect on political parties.
- The implications of individual actions of party members and the responsibility of the party as a whole are subjects of debate.
Conclusion: While measures are needed to address actions like those occurred in Catalonia in 2017, the outlawing of political parties is not seen as the right path. The People's Party should reconsider its proposal.
- The recent repeal of the crime of sedition and its impact on combating uprisings against the constitutional order is discussed.
- The PP seeks to introduce a crime of 'constitutional disloyalty' in the Penal Code to solve this problem.
- The reform also envisages the dissolution of legal entities, such as parties or civil organizations, that commit these crimes.
- The newspaper does not agree with the dissolution of parties on the basis of the membership of certain individuals, underlining that it should be individuals who are punished.
- President Pedro Sánchez's previous promise to restore the crime of illegal referendum is mentioned, and how the PP is trying to fulfil it.
- The government is accused of conducting a propaganda operation against the PP to deflect attention from its own pacts.
- The role of PP's Daniel Sirera and his meeting with representatives of Junts becomes a topic, but it is argued that the meetings themselves are not problematic, but the pacts that may arise from them.
Conclusion: The editorial highlights the need to adequately punish individuals seeking to subvert the constitutional order, but questions the practice of dissolving parties based on the membership of certain individuals. Additionally, it criticizes political maneuvers seeking to deflect attention from real issues.
- The PSOE asks the Prosecutor's Office to identify the organizers of an event in which a piñata representing the president was assaulted.
- The PSOE seeks criminal justice for the actions of the far right, despite its position on the de-legalization of the criminal actions of the procés.
- Party partners, like Sumar and ERC, have shown their disagreement with the PSOE's stance.
- The European Court of Human Rights considers this action as part of freedom of speech.
- In the context of escalating political aggressiveness, an administrative sanction for these vandal acts is suggested.
- A reform in the Citizen Security Law is proposed to include these representations of violence.
Conclusion: Despite being considered a violation of freedom of speech, the rising aggressiveness in Spanish politics suggests that these acts should have consequences, possibly in the form of administrative sanctions.
- Escalation of aggression in Spanish politics, which includes episodes of symbolic violence against public figures.
- Increase in political violence, particularly from the far-right Vox party.
- Failure of political actors to curb the violent drift in politics.
- The PSOE playing the victim and inappropriately attributing all responsibility to the PP.
- The limits of freedom of expression in contexts of violence and political polarization need to be taken into account.
Conclusion: A strong regulation and sanction is needed to curb this escalation of violence in Spanish politics. All political actors must act responsibly to prevent political violence and ensure the dignity of public personalities.
- 62.5% of Spaniards, including a quarter of the PSOE, believe that the political situation will worsen in 2024.
- 48.4% believe that the economic situation will be worse in 2024.
- Economic pessimism is notable among women and right-wing voters.
- Economic optimism is predominant among the young, a demographic distanced from politics.
- Spain's GDP showed a noticeable deceleration, going from 5.8% in 2022 to 2.3% in 2023.
- The Government has softened the economic impact through various measures, which has resulted in an increase in debt.
- The 2024 elections are expected to be especially important, both in Spain and internationally.
- The Basque and Catalan elections could signify a change in scene, especially affecting the PSOE.
- The US elections could return Donald Trump to the White House, changing the international dynamic.
- The grassroots of Podemos Galicia have rejected forming a coalition with Sumar in the upcoming Galician regional elections.
- The vote resulted in 1,567 votes against and 911 in favor, constituting a blow for Yolanda Díaz and Pedro Sánchez.
- The rejection of Sumar raises concerns about how this will affect the current coalition government and electoral outcomes in Galicia.
- The secession of Podemos from Sumar at the leadership level and now at grassroots level weakens Pedro Sánchez's government.
- The division of the populist left vote could prevent both formations from gaining representation, but it could also boost BNG if voters decide to vote en bloc.
Conclusion: This decision by Podemos Galicia represents a significant split in the left wing of Spanish politics which could impact future electoral outcomes and the stability of the current government.
- Carlos Cuerpo replaces Nadia Calviño, inheriting an economy that needs to face severe economic adjustments, control inflation, and reduce the deficit committed to Brussels.
- Cuerpo also needs to adapt the Spanish economy to the new European fiscal rules and refinance a debt of 140,000 million euros.
- He faces challenges at a time of uncertainty, as 2024 is expected to be a complicated year for the Spanish economy.
- The article suggests a possible parallel with the substitution of Solbes by Salgado in 2009, which marked the beginning of a major economic crisis.
- Unlike Salgado, Cuerpo has a more technical profile, but his political and international weight is less than Calviño's.
- Cuerpo has to face populist and high public spending policies and maintain the confidence of the business sector.
Conclusion: The appointment of Cuerpo raises questions about how he will handle the economic challenges and current political pressure, given the growing uncertainty about the Spanish economy.
- The pact between the Navarra Socialist Party and EH Bildu grants the mayoralty to Joseba Asiron, symbolic for Basque nationalist ambitions.
- This pact solidifies the alliance between PSOE and EH Bildu, extending its influence from Congress to more local institutions.
- This agreement reinforces EH Bildu's goals to govern in the Basque Country and unite it with the Chartered Community of Navarra into a single nation.
- For the PSOE, this represents crossing the Rubicon of pacts with EH Bildu in important governments and mayorships.
- This pact has created a fracture in Pamplonese society, fuelling political polarisation.
Conclusion: The pact is detrimental in the short term for Pamplona and will be harmful in the medium term for PSOE and cohabitation. In the long term, it only benefits EH Bildu.
- Sánchez proposed a crisis decree generating disagreement with Sumar.
- The government has included the possibility of deduction for energy companies.
- The reason to maintain and compensate a tax that may no longer be relevant is questioned.
- Sánchez's balance between different parties results in retaining the banking tax.
- The president's freedom to follow his electoral program will be limited.
- The president also announced an extension of the eviction ban and reductions in VAT.
- Latest measures will increase the cost of electrical and gas supplies.
- Free public transport for young people and unemployed has been left out of the aid plan.
- The diversity within the coalition parties will hamper the implementation of a coherent political project.
Conclusion: The editorial depicts a complicated political scenario and reveals the trouble of balancing the diverse interests in the coalition government. Various decisions have caused dissatisfaction showing the difficult political balance that Sánchez has to maintain, especially regarding tax policies.
- In his Christmas message, Aragonès emphasizes his preponderance over Pedro Sánchez and the king.
- Aragonès distorts the principles of freedom, equality, and justice.
- Aragonès seeks an independence referendum and to end the fiscal deficit.
- Aragonès promotes the break-up of the country for the benefit of a privileged minority.
Conclusion: Aragonès' speech reveals an emboldened independence movement.
- The political situation in Spain is polarized and an amnesty is pending.
- King Felipe VI's Christmas speech received angry reactions from Pedro Sánchez's allies.
- Sánchez's allies viewed the speech as an affront.
Conclusion: The influence of Sánchez's allies on the president is disturbing and threatens equality under the law and the quality of democracy.