SPAIN: Debate & more – 6th Jun 2024

Buenos días from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Spain Update from the 6th of June twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Spain.

Let’s kick things off with a debate hosted on Sunday, the 2nd, by news outlets EL PAÍS, Cadena SER, and El HuffPost ahead of the European elections scheduled for Sunday the 9th.

Politicians from the major political parties mainly clashed over the rise of the extreme right. Dolors Montserrat, the Partido Popular or PP candidate, focused on national politics, accusing the ruling Socialist Party, PSOE, of alliances with Carles Puigdemont, a pro-Catalan independence fugitive.

More left-wing candidates, Teresa Ribera for PSOE, Estrella Galán of Sumar, and Irene Montero of Vamos, united against Jorge Buxadé from the far-right party Vox, calling him fascist and racist for linking immigration to crime.

While the European election heats up, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the PP, hinted at a possible motion of censure, or no-confidence vote, against the government if the PSOE loses the upcoming elections.

During an interview with El País, Feijóo expressed his willingness to use all available tools, including the motion of censure, which is an expression of strong disapproval or severe criticism that could lead to Sanchez being ousted from the presidency or the PSOE's removal as the governing party.

A successful motion would require support from Junts per Catalunya and Vox, which is challenging given their ideological differences.

The PSOE criticized Feijóo's remarks, calling them hypocritical. Later, a PP spokesperson clarified that the party's main goal is to defeat President Sánchez in general elections, not through a censure motion. This move has sparked debate within the PP and its allies about the feasibility and strategy behind such a motion.

Meanwhile, Sánchez is intensifying his campaign for the European elections to make his PSOE party more popular among voters.

Recent polls conducted by the Center for Sociological Research show that the PSOE is narrowing the gap between themselves and the PP to only three points, prompting Sánchez to boost his presence with continued daily events across Spain.

He has planned four rallies in the final five days of the Campaign, focusing on mobilizing 300,000 voters from abstention or not voting.

He said he remained undeterred despite hostile reactions at some rallies, saying the PSOE aims to counter the PP’s pacts with Vox, emphasizing a rejection of what he labels xenophobic and homophobic policies.

From campaign optimism to farmers’ protests. On Monday, the 3rd, farmers from across Spain and France once again blocked all border crossings between the two countries in an unprecedented protest.

Revolta Pagesa, a Spanish agricultural pressure group backed by various associations from across Spain, led the protest, which is putting pressure on European authorities ahead of elections. Over 100 tractors rallied together to obstruct roads at the border, demanding greater food security, prioritization of local products, and reduced energy taxes in the EU.

However, not everyone supports the farmers’ protest. Some lorry drivers criticized the blockade and called for government intervention to ensure traffic flow.

In other political news, on Monday the 3rd, José Manuel Albares, Spain’s Foreign Minister, announced that the agreement on post-Brexit Gibraltar will be delayed until after the UK elections on the 4th of July.

Despite ongoing technical negotiations, Albares ruled out reaching a deal before the elections, although Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, had hoped for a pre-election decision.

Albares said he planned to meet with the new British prime minister once they have been elected to finalize the agreement.

Negotiations have been ongoing for two and a half years since the United Kingdom officially left the EU. Key issues include sovereignty, border controls, and the use of Gibraltar's airport.

From politics to the skies! The Spanish government has fined low-cost airlines, including EasyJet, Ryanair, Vueling, and Volotea, 150 million euros for charging passengers extra fees for cabin luggage and seat reservations.

The Ministry of Social Rights and Consumer Affairs launched an investigation last summer following complaints of abusive practices. On Friday, the 31st of May, Spanish courts fined the airlines after saying these extra fees were unacceptable.

The fines are the largest ever issued by the ministry and also prohibit these airlines from continuing to impose such charges. The Spanish Airline Association criticized the decision, branding it disproportionate, and said that it would submit appeals. On the other hand, the Consumer group Facua, which aims to fight against abuse of power by big companies and the government, welcomed the decision after a six-year campaign.

Up next, the World Health Assembly, led by the WHO, announced on Friday the 31st of May, that it adopted a resolution to enhance global transplantation practices promoted by Spain.

As part of the resolution, the World Health Assembly urges EU member states to expand their transplantation therapies, particularly from deceased donors, while trying to decrease organ trafficking. On Monday the 27th of May, the EU brought in rules cracking down on human trafficking across member states, including the trafficking of organs.

Spain wants to be ahead of the curb regarding ethical transplantation, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals to reduce premature mortality and achieve universal health coverage.

Speaking of Spanish initiatives, on Tuesday the 4th, the Spanish government announced it was passing initiatives that aim to advance the protection of minors in the digital environment, including laws to prevent digital crimes and impose obligations on tech companies who don’t comply. The government says these laws will be approved by Autumn twenty twenty-four and once implemented, will be reviewed every three years. At the same time, they approved the Verano Joven twenty twenty-four program, which gives young travelers up to a 90% discount on bus and train tickets between the first of July and the 30th of September twenty twenty-four.

People in Marbella have reportedly had enough of bullfighting. According to the expat newspaper, The Olive Press, more than 25,000 local Spaniards and expats have signed a petition in Marbella demanding that the local council cancel a bullfight organized for Saturday the 8th. According to the council, this bullfight will commemorate and reinaugurate the city's bullfighting tradition.

Marbella Against Bullfighting, the entity behind the petition, adamantly disagrees with the return of bullfighting events, saying that none have taken place in Marbella for the last eight years. While bullfighting has been a long-standing tradition throughout Spain, particularly in the South, more than a hundred cities in the country now ban the sport, labeling it vicious and cruel.

The Barcelona city council has said it wants to outline fixed boundaries for high-traffic tourism areas to minimize the negative effects of over-tourism by facilitating a better flow of people. In areas like Sagrada Familia, they have already started defining the project scope, which includes improving metro access on the Provença and Marina streets. Near Park Güell, the council announced that it would introduce traffic restrictions in the Salut neighborhood and may redevelop the park's surroundings to make it more accessible for footfall.

Still in Barcelona, as it will host its world-famous Sonar Music Festival between the 13th and 14th, attracting music enthusiasts from around the world. It will take place at the Fira Montjuïc and the Fira Gran Via L’Hospitalet.

The event will feature a varied lineup of electronic and experimental music acts spanning multiple genres. This year's headliners include globally renowned artists such as The Chemical Brothers, Barcelona’s very own Rosalía, and Aphex Twin.

Alongside the music, Sonar will host a series of technology and digital culture conferences, offering workshops and talks by industry leaders.

And to wrap up this edition, the fiesta that gets the whole of the Iberian peninsula fired up! Every year on the 23rd of June, Spain's beaches ignite for the Festival of San Juan, a celebration of the summer solstice.

Families and friends gather for bonfires, food, drink, and music, as they welcome the official start of summer. There will be many celebrations across the country.

In Barcelona, the festivities feature bonfires and fireworks on the famous beach of La Barceloneta. Meanwhile, Alicante extends its San Juan celebrations over nine days, including the ceremonial burning of effigies.

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

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¡Hasta la próxima!