Editorial:
Spain is in a mess right now. The background to this is a mixture of judicial bullying, corruption, foreign meddling and improper aspiration.
Agenda Pública had several US experts commenting on Spain back in March 2026: ‘Trump’s Oval Office threat to "cut off all trade with Spain" is coercion in plain sight, and it also betrays how stretched he already is on Iran’, said one. ‘Prime Minister Sánchez’s actions are deeply disappointing for those of us in the United States who wish to see a strong U.S.-Spain relationship, including strong military cooperation between our two countries’, said another. A third: ‘There could be other types of actions, such as measures affecting U.S. exports to Spain, investments, or visas, as well as financial matters…’.
‘The White House’, we read elsewhere, ‘through its ambassador, has publicly expressed its "frustration" with the refusal of Pedro Sánchez's government to allow the use of the Rota and Morón military bases for the war against Iran. Furthermore, the ambassador has openly criticized Sánchez for not receiving him in three months, something interpreted as a deliberate snub to the Trump administration’.
By June, this frustration had reached the point where – we suspect – the Americans and their disagreeable friend in the Middle East are now actively trying to remove a thorn in their side, in favour of a sweeter and better colleague in the Moncloa, one able to increase the national expenditure on arms while cutting taxes for the wealthy and – with the insistence of Vox – creating a Jim Crow policy against minorities (including, of course, women).
Sad to say, however, the Spanish electorate generally have a low opinion of both Trump’s America and Bibi’s Israel.
Late last month, and we return to the US embassy in Madrid, we find the American ambassador Benjamin León receiving in separate meetings both Feijóo and Abascal (and Ayuso in her offices at the Puerta del Sol). What did they have to discuss, asks the leader of the Izquierda Unida? Plots, plans and a new president for Spain? Perhaps.
The worry about American involvement in Spanish domestic affairs brings this headline from El Huff Post: ‘Donald Trump's frustration with Spain and suspicions about US involvement in Zapatero's indictment: "The real political target is Sánchez."’.
The Italian weekly L'Expresso has a leader that warns that "no European leader sleeps soundly" now that "Washington has activated the beacon."
But the plotters need an unarguable scandal. The joke attacks against Sánchez wife and his brother are not going to pull down the Government – maybe the Judiciary can come up with something better. Cynical? Moi?
Step aside Begoña, we’ve got Zapatero… The judicial machine got rid of the Sánchez-appointed Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz last November without providing any proof of wrongdoing, while still not bringing the investigation of Ayuso’s boyfriend a year down the line any closer to fruition. The unresolved case against Cristobal Montoro goes back to 2016 while the Kitchen Case (the last PP government trying to silence proof of fraud) is being quietly underreported. The Courts block Zapatero’s bank account, but not Montoro’s, or ‘the boyfriend’, or Fernández Díaz… They threaten to take away the passport of the president’s wife (where would she go?). But we all know what’s really happening.
As someone says, the PP has so far failed to bring down the coalition government and Pedro Sánchez, but it has succeeded in destroying the Spanish justice system and its reputation.
What stops the government from falling, says Gabriel Rufián, is that the alternative is infinitely worse.
Alternatively, ‘These people prefer a left-wing thief to an honourable right-wing government’ says the PP spokesman Miguel Tellado.
Forget the polling station, or the 2027 elections, ‘"I will do everything possible to change the government, and when I say everything, I mean everything," says Alberto Núñez Feijóo (except, as Junts per Catalunya demands, to go to see Carles Puigdemont in Waterloo).
Will he succeed in his endeavour? It’s certainly possible.
Housing:
Spanish Property Insight editor Mark Stücklin doesn’t always agree with the politicians. He writes from Barcelona with: ‘Spain’s “major landowner” nonsense turns small players into cartoon villains’, saying: ‘The legal battle over who qualifies as a “major landowner” in Spain has become one of the great absurdities of the rental market. Under the state Housing Law, the general threshold is more than ten residential properties, though this can fall to five in stressed housing markets. In Catalonia, where housing policy often appears to be written with a clenched fist, the concept has been pushed even further into farce…’
Tourism:
Almería sees the high-speed train project pushed further away: a report places its arrival several years later. From El Diario de Almería here: ‘The eighth technical review of the Almería AVE project, prepared by experts, maintains that the official timetable can no longer be met and points to the Lorca-Pulpí section as the main obstacle to the line's completion’. Now they are looking at 2029 or 2030. (Curses! I’d already bought a ticket).
Spanish tourists are becoming more careful this summer due to rising prices and the risk of war: this translates as closer destinations and shorter trips says 20Minutos here.
Finance:
From Global Finance here: ‘Strength meets structural limits going into the second half of 2026. On the surface, Spain enters the second half of this year as one of Europe’s best-performing economies, most visible in the pace of tourist activity across its major cities. Last year, Spain welcomed 96.8 million tourists: an all-time high. In the first two months of 2026, nearly 10.7 million people visited the country, a 2% year-over-year gain.
GDP numbers confirm the impression. Following 2.8% GDP growth in 2025, the Banco de España recently raised its 2026 forecast to 2.3% from 2.2%. At the same time, it cautioned that energy-related shocks could prompt a departure from its base case. With or without volatility in the Middle East, the central bank sees 2027 GDP growth of 1.7%, down from its December projection of 1.9%...’ It ends with: ‘…the combination of a healthy tourist economy, a growing population, a resilient housing market, and an energy advantage continues to make Spain an outlier in a relatively underperforming European economy. Its next phase of growth will depend on the system’s ability to support and nurture them’.
From The Corner here: ‘The rating agency DBRS (Dominion Bond Rating Service) considers that the risks to the outlook are balanced, despite downward pressure from external events. The economy continues to grow above the EU average and is supported by funds like the Next Generation EU. Weaknesses include the lack of a budget approval since 2023, comparatively low levels of per capita income and a high, albeit declining, public debt ratio’.
From El Plural here: ‘New employment record: the number of registered workers exceeds 22.3 million and unemployment falls to 2007 levels. May ends with a record number of registered workers breaking the Social Security ceiling by adding 231,975 people’.
Politics:
From EFE here: ‘The leader of the Partido Popular, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, stated last Thursday that he will do "everything possible" to change Pedro Sánchez's government and has asked his coalition partners to do more than "abstain from the issue." "I said it a long time ago, and I repeat it today: I will do everything possible to change the government, and when I say everything, I mean everything."’. Currently, Feijóo is hoping against hope for support for a moción de censura, and he is courting both the PNV and the Junts per Catalunya. Junts says he would need to pop over to Waterloo to have tea and biscuits with their exiled leader Carles Puigdemont. Feijóo’s ‘everything’ faltered at this proposal.
From elDiario.es: ‘The government has labelled Feijóo's appeal to both the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and Junts as "cynical and desperate": "He's been insulting them for years." "Governments are formed through votes. And the Partido Popular doesn't have a national project," the Government spokesperson Elma Saiz said on Tuesday’.
From elDiario.es here: ‘Pedro Sánchez will appear before Congress at his own request to discuss the investigations into the PSOE. His appearance, which will take place after the European Council meeting on June 19, comes after it was revealed that the National Court is investigating whether the PSOE paid Leire Díez (Wiki) for her actions against prosecutors and police officers’.
El Mundo says: ‘China defends Spain after warnings from the US ambassador in Madrid about the risks of closer ties with Beijing. Washington warns of the growing Chinese presence in sensitive sectors, while Beijing denounces a campaign to curb its international expansion’.
From La Vanguardia, a piece on Spain’s risky move to alienate the USA in favour of China: ‘Spain continues to make headlines around the world. A few weeks ago, the Spanish government’s firm stance against the start of the war in Iran became a point of reference. It seemed to be the courageous culmination of a calculated strategy to distance itself from the positions and demands of US President Donald Trump. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was on the rise, seemingly daring to say what other European politicians were keeping silent about…’ However, says the article, ‘A series of police and judicial actions shatter the carefully cultivated image of progressive Spain’.
From Diario Sabemos here: ‘Trump's dossiers aim to topple European governments: after Zapatero, Meloni could be next. The Italian prime minister is on the New York tycoon's blacklist for not cooperating in the War against Iran’.
The President takes advantage of the closing of the Socialist Youth Congress to launch a counterattack and assure that he will serve out his full term. From El País here: ‘Sánchez asks for time in the face of a “devious” (‘marrullera’) opposition that wants to “bring down” the government through “dirty tricks.” Amid enormous pressure, the president shows his willingness “to govern until 2027 and beyond” in his first party event in two weeks’.
The PP and Vox have now agreed a government for Castilla y León. From El Plural here: ‘The details of the pact between the PP and Vox to include the far-right’s flagship Prioridad Nacional. Fernández Mañueco (PP) and Pollán (Vox) have reached an agreement in Castilla y León that includes "national priority" for "Spanishness" and it attacks Sánchez's immigration policies.
In the event of elections now, ‘The CIS has the PSOE 11 points ahead of the PP in a poll prior to the Zapatero and Leire Díez cases. The Socialists obtained 36.2% of the vote, the PP 24.9%, Vox 16.2%, Sumar 5.7%, and Podemos 2.5%, according to the May barometer of the institute directed by José Félix Tezanos’.
The apocryphal claim of Otto von Bismark (thanks to Andy for the reminder): “The strongest nation in the world is undoubtedly Spain. It has long tried to destroy itself and yet has never managed to succeed. The day they stop trying, they will once again be at the forefront of the world.”
Two points regarding the current crisis: Firstly, most Spaniards are aware that the judiciary is operating at two speeds: depending on the politics. This is the background to the soft coup we are experiencing. Secondly – the only alternative to the current progressive government is an alliance made from the Conservative PP together, in arms, with the Fascist Vox.
Europe:
From Eco Inventos here: ‘France inaugurates Europe's largest 3D-printed residential building with 12 homes built in just 34 days’. The article calls it the future for dwellings.
From elDiario.es here: ‘Vox embraces the xenophobia of Europe's most radical supremacist extremists. Rocío de Meer participates in the Remigration Summit 26 in Portugal, a meeting in defence of a “white and Christian Europe” and to advocate for the mass expulsion of people even when they have European documentation: “They are the enemy and they seek our destruction”’. While many far-right crusaders stayed away, one who was there was Greg Bovino, the recently defenestrated ICE-man (the photo shows Greg with a Seig Heil salute).
Corruption:
From L’Espresso (Italy) here: ‘The investigation into former Spanish President Zapatero, allegedly involving the US Department of Homeland Security, has generated unease in European political circles. There is speculation that the case could be a message to European leaders who have challenged the US or criticized Israel. The potential involvement of US agencies in European investigations raises concerns about interference and the vulnerability of European political leaders...’ El Huff Post sums it up here.
Minister Óscar Puente produces documents in defence of Zapatero on YouTube here.
From elDiario.es here: ‘Judge Pedraz indicts the head of the UDEF (Financial and Economic Crime Unit) under the PP for the dirty war against Podemos. Commissioner José Manuel García Catalán was part of the group of police commanders who travelled to New York “on orders from Rajoy” in 2016 to have a former Venezuelan minister validate a photocopy and accuse the founders of Podemos of tax fraud’.
Courts:
From Mundo Obrero here: ‘The latest plenary session of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) has triggered a deep internal crisis within the progressive sectors of the judiciary after the conservative bloc prevailed in virtually all of the discretionary appointments approved last week. Of the fourteen judicial positions at stake, twelve went to candidates aligned with the conservative sector, compared to only two progressive appointments’.
‘The Supreme Court overturns the dismissal of charges against eighteen people investigated in the Russian money laundering scheme in Altea and Benidorm. Among those investigated were lawyer Alexey Shirokov; and former PP councillors Lorenzo Martínez Sola, from Benidorm, and Jaime Sellés from Altea’. Item found at Alicante Plaza here.
From elDiario.es here: ‘The UCO (Central Operative Unit of the Civil Guard) places Santos Cerdán at the head of the scheme to defuse legal cases affecting the Government and the PSOE. The main report in the case states that the former PSOE organizational secretary led a criminal network along with Leire Díez, to whom he paid thousands of euros through third parties, lawyers, and false invoices’. This is a much more important investigation that those against Pedro Sánchez wife or brother.
Once again, some investigations take longer than others. From Infobae here: ‘Twelve years later, 41 former politicians, civil servants, and businesspeople have been indicted for rigging contracts in housing and the Metro: one of the corruption schemes of Esperanza Aguirre's government. The fraud amounts to €98.4 million, and the prison sentences total 625 years. This is one of the branches of the Caso Púnica. The National Court recently issued an order for the opening of the trial’.
The ludicrous case in Badajoz against Pedro Sánchez’ brother David Sánchez (Wiki) had pretty much wound down by Wednesday with little left for the judge to sink his teeth into.
Media:
From El Plural here: ‘Broken relations: The Government considers 'El País' and 'SER' lost causes after their editorial drift to the right. The president of the Grupo Prisa, Joseph Oughourlian, emerges victorious from the struggle with the national government and consolidates the changes introduced in both media outlets’. The article begins with: ‘Media manipulation has always been a key element in political and electoral strategies, which is why finding allies in the media is so important for political parties. It's about identifying editorial lines that align with the ideas championed by different parties and cultivating relationships with newspapers that find their publicly defended positions relevant and disseminate them, from a "favourable" perspective, in newspaper articles, news programs, and radio and television shows…’
Ecology:
A very hot year, and a regional government weak on fire-prevention. From RTVE here: ‘Forestry companies in Castilla y León say they will no longer participate in firefighting efforts: "The situation is unsustainable"’. Better news comes from Andalucía, which has launched a new anti-wildfire campaign following a 40% surge in blazes compared with the same period last year. The plan would see the deployment of 4,700 firefighters, 108 fire engines, 43 aircraft and a highly specialised firebreak unit says The Olive Press here.
From Xataca here: ‘For years we believed that solar panels were devastating the countryside: it turns out birds and insects live much better beneath them. Almost three times as many birds and a perfect microclimate: the new "conservatory-voltaic" systems demonstrate that clean energy can repair the historical damage from intensive agriculture’.
Various:
The Schedule from Papa en España in English is here. Saturday June 6th to Friday 12th.
From El Mundo (December 2015) here: ‘Internationally renowned conductor. High school diploma from the Jesuit school in Cheverus, Maine (USA). Spanish Judo runner-up. Degree in Economics and Business Administration from ICADE. Graduated with honours in Composition and Operatic and Orchestral Conducting at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. Assistant conductor at the Mariinsky Theatre. Through AESDO, he has fostered the careers of other young talents in Spain. On stage he is known as David Azagra, one of the most renowned Spanish orchestra conductors abroad…’
At home, he is better known – thanks to the media (and Manos Limpias) – as Pedro Sánchez’ younger brother David Sánchez. In passing, we should note that David earned his post long before his brother became president, and we must marvel at the long list of private accusers against him in the current trial: Manos Limpias, Hazte Oír, Abogados Cristianos, Vox, Liberum, Iustitia Europa and the PP.
We have heard of prices being adjusted by the instant – airlines are particularly good at this, and American supermarkets too – but now (says the article and video from Cadena Ser) this charming concept is arriving in your favourite restaurant in Spain (I just knew those QR-Code menus were dodgy…).
Things are looking up, says El Nacional here: ‘130 years ago, in Madrid, Salvador Bermúdez de Castro y O’Lawlor, Director General of Posts and Telegraphs appointed by the government of Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, leader of the Conservative Party, issued an order prohibiting telephone conversations and telegram texts in either Catalán or Basque. Bermúdez de Castro ordered all telephone companies to instruct their operators to immediately disconnect any conversations they found in either Catalán or Basque by unplugging the phones…’
History in Spain isn't confined to dusty museum basements. It hits you the moment you walk past a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct on your way to grab lunch, order a tapa of cured ham born from centuries of religious identity, or admire the stark horseshoe arches of a southern gateway…’ The introduction to ‘A cheat sheet on Spanish History’ here.
See Spain:
‘A majestic Parador, located in a medieval castle that seems straight out of a fairy tale, has reopened’. The Palacio Real de Olite (Navarra) here.
Finally:
Tanxugueiras is a group of pandeireteiras originally from Galicia formed by Aida Tarrío and the twin sisters Olaia and Sabela Maneiro. Here they perform Terra at the Benidorm Fest 2022 (with a couple of jolly fellows in kilts) on YouTube
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