SPAIN: Corruption allegations & more – 25th July 2024

Buenos días from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Spain Update from the 25th of July twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Spain.

To start this week, the Spanish court has summoned Pedro Sánchez, president of Spain, to testify in court on Tuesday the 30th, for an investigation into corruption involving his wife, Begoña Gómez.

The investigation began three months ago and has focused on Gómez's alleged connections with influential businessmen and institutions, including the Complutense University of Madrid. These alleged connections have been linked with corruption and abuse of position.

Political parties Vox and the Popular Party have demanded that Sánchez resign. They believe the president's involvement makes him unfit to serve as Spain's leader.

Madrid's regional government, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, is pushing a law that reduces the obligation to replace felled trees and eases building regulations.

The law would change regulations for building golf courses, gas stations, and crematoriums. It would also allow constructors to build protected housing or retirement housing on land set aside for social facilities.

This push has sparked a clash between the Spanish government, local political parties in Madrid, and Ecologistas en Acción, the environmental group.

Critics argue the law undermines transparency and environmental protection, accusing Ayuso's administration of prioritizing development over sustainability.

The law's hasty approval process has not aided the situation, as many argue that big decisions are being rushed.

Next, tourism protests continue this week. This time, the residents of the Balearic island of Majorca are taking to the streets.

This protest, which took place on Sunday the 21st, is the latest in a long line of tourism protests that have taken place across Spain, in places like Barcelona, Valencia, the Canary Islands, and now the Balearic Islands.

In Majorca, protestors demonstrated against the overwhelming influx of tourists, which drives up housing costs and puts a strain on local public services and resources.

Activists from Menys Turisme, Més Vida, translated as Less Tourism, More Life, argue that excessive tourism erodes local culture, and they call for limits on incoming flights and cruise ships to alleviate pressure.

Spain's National Institute of Statistics reports a nine-point one percent increase in foreign tourists to the Balearics last year, exacerbating tensions as locals fear being priced out of their communities.

In defense news, Spain has highlighted concerns over the lack of Western troops in the Sahel region of Africa.

The Sahel region is an expansive area of the African continent positioned between the Sahara desert and the dense greenery of central Africa.

At the NATO summit in Washington earlier this month, Pedro Sánchez and Margarita Robles, Spain's Defense Minister, emphasized the need for greater NATO commitment to the region, warning that Russia could fill the power vacuum left by withdrawing Western forces.

The last Spanish soldier left the region in May, following similar withdrawals by French, German, and American troops. Robles has repeatedly stated that Russia's increased presence in the Sahel could result in further political tension.

Let's turn to the weather. Spain is enduring its first official heatwave of the year, with temperatures soaring to forty degrees Celsius (or 104 degrees Fahrenheit) across much of the country.

This heatwave began on the 18th of July, and temperatures are expected to drop only towards the end of this week.

The southern Guadalquivir river basin in Andalucia experienced highs of forty-four degrees Celsius (or 111 degrees Fahrenheit), which affected cities like Sevilla, Toledo, and Granada.

This heatwave follows a relatively mild spring and is part of a broader rising trend attributed to climate change.

Other southern European countries, including Italy and Greece, are experiencing similar extreme temperatures.

In other news, on Saturday the 20th, the Spanish police arrested three pro-Russian hackers for allegedly conducting cyberattacks against Spain and other NATO countries for terrorist purposes.

The Civil Guard detained the suspects, linked to the hacktivist group NoName057, known for its attacks on public institutions and critical infrastructure supporting Ukraine.

The arrests occurred in Manacor, Huelva, and Seville. During a raid, police found a Soviet-era hammer and sickle flag at one suspect’s home. The group’s manifesto states their intent to counteract anti-Russian actions from the West.

The investigation continues, with no charges or further details on detainment released yet.​

Next, on Friday the 19th, there was worldwide panic when antivirus provider Crowdstrike released a software update that caused a widespread IT outage, severely disrupting operations for numerous Spanish companies and others worldwide.

The faulty update affected Microsoft's systems globally, impacting sectors like transport, health, and data-entry companies. Crowdstrike has identified the issue and is providing solutions.

In Spain, airport operator Aena reported significant disruptions, with airports like Malaga resorting to manual systems and warning of potential flight delays.

Petrol stations, including Repsol, banks such as Unicaja, and companies like Mercedes were also affected, with systems displaying the blue screen of death, causing continuous computer restarts.

Moving on, Barcelona has unveiled the newly renovated Port Olímpic, transformed ahead of the America’s Cup sailing tournament.

The transformed Port area was officially reopened on Sunday the 21st. The overhaul opened 20,000 square meters of public space, reconnecting the city with the Mediterranean.

A public celebration marked the reopening, featuring music performances and activities. Jaume Collboni, mayor of Barcelona, highlighted the Port’s shift from a problematic nightlife area to a family-friendly space focused on sustainability, sports, and gastronomy.

The renovation includes new promenades, viewing platforms, and the Gastronomic Balcony, which is set to open fully by the end of August.

Moving on, a new ultra-luxury hotel complex managed by Greece's Sani/Ikos Group is thriving on Spain's southern coast near the town of Estepona, Costa Del Sol.

Jose Maria Garcia Urbano, mayor of Estepona, praised the development and described the relationship between the city and Ikos Andalusia as symbiotic.

The hotel boosts local employment and the economy and Jose Maria Garcia Urbano says it is supporting the community through various projects and sponsorships.

In the lead-up to the International Botanical Congress in Madrid, which is being held between the 21st and the 27th, botanists decided to change the names of 200 plants that had racist connotations.

In botany, names such as cafre were historically used to describe plants based on geographical regions. However, the term cafre is now recognized as extremely derogatory and offensive, especially in southern Africa.

The decision was made on the 18th and also introduced a mechanism to propose rejections of offensive names created after twenty twenty-six. However, controversial names derived from real people, such as Anophthalmus hitleri, will remain unchanged despite progression.

This move aims to make naming systems more inclusive, with some experts advocating for further changes to include the names of real people.

Now, some good news. Barcelona's historic dance hall, La Paloma Sala de Ball, has reopened after extensive renovations, just in time for a devoted patron's 105th birthday celebration.

The venue, which opened in nineteen-oh-three, has been transformed while maintaining its original charm. Pepita Bernat, a patron since she was seventeen, celebrated with music, flowers, and cava.

The reopening was marked by a public party with performances by Los Tigres del Raval.

The venue has been closed since two thousand six due to soundproofing issues. Its return is a testament to the determination of owner Mercè March and the local community's love for this cultural landmark, as it is now listed as an asset of urban interest.

Fancy a swim? Well, on Sunday the 4th of August, the Descenso a Nado Ría de Navia, one of the world's top one hundred open-water swims, will host its sixty-seventh edition.

The event, which takes place in Navia, Asturias, features a five-kilometer men's race, a three-kilometer women's race, and a one-kilometer junior race. Winners of the men's and women's races earn cash prizes of €1,000, €700, and €400 for first, second, and third places, respectively.

The swim is part of the Copa Asturias open water swimming weekend, organized by Amigos de la Ría de Navia and broadcast live on Spanish TV. It draws international competitors and highlights the region's vibrant aquatic sports culture.

And finally, a regional fish festival to remember! On the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of August, Burela, a regional tuna fishing hub in Lugo, hosts a vibrant festival celebrating white tuna.

The event centers around a food fair, where visitors can savor the local albacore tuna, prepared in various styles, such as charcoal-grilled and braised.

But it’s not just culinary offerings! The festival includes an organic and artisanal products fair, exhibitions, film screenings, and panel discussions on environmental and ecological topics.

This blend of food, music, and educational activities highlights Burela’s cultural and environmental heritage, making it a must-visit event for locals and tourists.

Not bad for a fish festival!

Aaand that’s it for this week! Thank you for joining us!

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¡Hasta la próxima!