SPAIN: US Wants Spain Out of NATO and EU Budget Funds & more – 30th Apr 2026

Buenos días from Sant Gervasi! This is the Rorshok Spain Update from the 30th of April twenty twenty-six, a quick summary of what's going down in Spain.

The battle of the budget began on Tuesday, the 28th, as EU member parties fight over how to allocate EU money to spend for the next budget.

On Tuesday, the European Parliament voted in favor of making the next seven-year budget, from twenty twenty-eight to twenty thirty-four, ten percent higher than the proposal submitted by the European Commission, despite criticism from countries such as Germany and France, who actually wanted to spend less than the Commission's proposal.

The agreed-upon trillion-euro pot of money will go toward things like agriculture and industry, EU programs, and EU-wide taxes on online gambling and tech giants like Amazon and Google.

Some of the funds will also go toward paying back common debt that was issued to finance the EU´s post-COVID recovery package.

Next up. On Tuesday, the 28th, as part of his trip to the UK, President Pedro Sanchez met with London Mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss the relationship between the country and the capital of the UK. As two leaders, they have both been very vocal about their opinions on the rise of populist politics across Europe, the ongoing wars, and the need for progressive, open politics.

Multiple news outlets also reported that Khan, who has been very vocal about his criticism of Brexit, discussed with Sánchez the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU. According to the news, Sánchez´s response was overwhelmingly positive, as he expressed that the country would welcome the UK back.

In international politics, on Saturday the 25th, tensions between the United States and European allies intensified following a leaked Pentagon email suggesting harsh measures against Spain, including a possible suspension from NATO.

The dispute stems from Spain’s opposition to US-Israeli actions against Iran and its refusal to allow the US military to use its bases across the country for the war. In response, at an EU summit in Cyprus, leaders reaffirmed Spain’s NATO membership, noting that expulsion is not legally permitted.

The situation reflects broader divisions between Europe and the US under President Donald Trump, particularly over defence spending, Iran's foreign policy, NATO’s role, and Trump being a combative corrupt moron. European leaders favour diplomacy, while the US has taken a more confrontational approach.

Looking to the sea, on Thursday, the 23rd, UK-based company Global OTEC completed the installation of the world’s first purpose-built offshore platform for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion in the Canary Islands, Autonomous Community.

This milestone marks a significant step toward scaling a technology that generates continuous renewable energy from temperature differences between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water.

It´s a great boost in ecological tech, as the platform and its advanced tech offer a reliable, 24/7 renewable energy source, particularly for tropical islands reliant on fossil fuels.

Now to housing. On Monday, the 27th, news outlet Bloomberg released an article spotlighting Spain’s two largest cities, Madrid and Barcelona, and how they are tackling a growing housing crisis with contrasting strategies.

Despite economic growth, both face shortages, rising prices, and increasing demand driven by population growth. On April 21st, the central government announced a seven billion euro housing plan running through twenty thirty to expand below-market housing, though political divisions quickly emerged.

Madrid is emphasizing large-scale construction and tax incentives, aiming to build up to 300,000 homes over fifteen years while rejecting rent controls. In contrast, Barcelona is focusing on regulation, implementing rent caps and banning short-term tourist rentals by twenty twenty-eight.

Early results show rents have fallen slightly in Barcelona, while they continue rising in Madrid, but time will tell which approach is better, as both face limits. Madrid’s supply takes time to impact prices, while Barcelona struggles with limited land and slower construction.

In the last week or so, Sánchez has said multiple times publicly that the country is protected from rising gas prices linked to the war in Iran, thanks to its strong investment in renewable energy, suggesting these sources reduce the impact of global fuel price spikes on households.

However, the reality is a little more nuanced. While the country´s renewable energy expansion does help cushion some of the economic pressure, it does not fully shield it from fluctuations in global energy markets. Gas still plays a role in the energy mix, and external factors continue to influence costs.

Overall, the country´s transition to renewables provides a degree of resilience compared to more fossil-fuel-dependent countries, such as India and Singapore, but it is not complete protection. Want to know more about renewables during a period of instability? Link in show notes.

Also, this week, on Monday the 27th, news outlet El País celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. In a park in Madrid, founders and early journalists of EL PAÍS gathered, joined by first editor Juan Luis Cebrián and current director Jan Martínez Ahrens, as they reflected on the last fifty years of the newspaper.

They remembered the paper’s uncertain beginnings in a newly established democracy, from early ETA reports to technological breakthroughs. As a newspaper, it represents for many one of the first pro-democracy newspapers when others at the time were still influenced by Francoist ideology. ¡Congratulations, El País!

Things are heating up! In an article released by the publication Timeout on Wednesday, the 29th, they explored how rising summer temperatures could reshape its famous outdoor dining culture.

The warm evenings spent eating outside that were once a feature of the culture are being increasingly interrupted by extreme heat, which now happens regularly. In response, hospitality unions and employer groups reached an agreement in twenty twenty-six to update labour rules and better protect workers from dangerous conditions, like extreme heat.

Under the new framework, businesses might have to reduce hours or temporarily close outdoor terraces when official heat alerts are issued. The rules also require contingency planning for other extreme weather, including floods and heavy snow.

Let’s turn to nature, with a brilliant piece by National Geographic released on Wednesday, the 29th, highlighting the country´s national parks. These protected areas, managed by the National Parks Network, highlight Spain’s biodiversity, from migratory birds to over sixty orchid species in the Pyrenees, in the north.

Among the most notable in the Pyrenees is the Picos de Europa, Spain's first national park established in nineteen eighteen, known for hiking and climbing, while the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid is popular for year-round recreation.

Next up, a story for the cultural adventurists. Each year in early May, the city centre of Córdoba in Andalucia hosts the Popular Competition of Wrought Iron Grilles and Balconies alongside the equally famous Courtyard Contest.

During these contests, residents decorate their balconies and iron grilles with vibrant flowers to compete for the title of the most beautiful display. The streets come alive with the fragrances of jasmine and orange blossom, creating a distinctly Andalucian atmosphere.

This year, the contests will run between the 4th and 17th of May, so pencil in some time if you're interested in a slice of southern tradition.

And finally, on Wednesday, the 29th, journalist Alan Grabinsky explored Spain’s approach to Judaism in the context of its central government.

Grabinsky notes that tensions between Spain and Israel did not emerge suddenly. However, by the 10th of March, the situation had escalated to the point where Sánchez formally recalled the country’s ambassador.

While recent disagreements over Gaza, Iran, and military cooperation are factors, Grabinsky emphasizes that domestic considerations play a significant role. Public support for Palestine has increased, and adopting a clear stance on Israel carries political advantages, particularly as Sánchez faces declining approval ratings.

Historical factors also contribute. Events such as the fourteen ninety-two expulsion of Jews left enduring attitudes that continue to shape perspectives across the country today.

For more of Grabinsky’s insights on Judaism in Spain, the full article is available in the show notes below.

Aaand that’s it for this week! Anything to tell or ask us, info@rorshok.com and we’ll get back to you.

¡Hasta la próxima!