Sánchez to offer ‘olive branch’ to Catalans via talks on 23 economic, social issues rejected by PP’s Rajoy
• PSOE leader will reiterate rejection of Catalan independence from Spain • The leader of Spain’s Socialist party (PSOE), Pedro Sánchez, will…
Politics
PP Madrid leader Aguirre abruptly resigns following Civil Guard searches of party HQ in corruption probe
• Sudden resignation accepted by Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy • Veteran Popular Party (PP) politician Esperanza Aguirre resigned suddenly Sunday afternoon…
Madrid plan to drop Franquista street names stalls, lawsuit threat against towns with Franco-era names
• Towns with names honoring Franco & Nationalist generals come under fire • The ill-timed release of a short-list of Madrid streets…
#VIDEO: Compromís ‘Rita Leaks’ allegations may result in prosecution of PP’s former Valencia mayor
• 300 pages of allegations, receipts reportedly show malversion of funds • In a case brought to light by Valencia’s regional Compromís…
Puppeteers jailed for ‘glorifying terrorism’ in satirical carnival show in Madrid released by judge
• Puppet show gone wrong embroiled Mayor Carmena’s gov’t in controversy • A Madrid judge who ordered the release Wednesday of two…
Podemos central committee opts for four new primary elections to restore order at regional level
• Power void in regions after clash over Pablo Iglesias’ central leadership • The national Coordinating Council of new-left, anti-austerity party Podemos…
Podemos Deputies to be seated next to Socialists in Congress, as PSOE-Podemos tensions appear to ease
• PSOE’s Sánchez and Podemos’ Iglesias to share front row in new Congress • In a sign of possible easing tensions between…
#VIDEO: Historic Casa Pinet restaurant in Tàrbena issues ‘call to arms’ at Change.org to avoid closure
• Petitioners ask PSOE’s Ximo Puig to save Alicante mountain town tavern • The colourful Casa Pinet restaurant in the Alicante mountain…
PSOE continues coalition talks with Ciudadanos, plus Podemos allies Compromís and United Left (IU)
• Socialists say Podemos held to account if ‘veto’ enables PP return to power • Spain’s Socialist party (PSOE) remains hopeful that…
New polls show voters prefer PSOE-Ciudadanos pact, as support for PSOE-Podemos coalition on the wane
• PSOE-Ciudadanos only combo viewed positively in latest Metroscopia poll • Results of two opinion polls just released show a clear preference…
Podemos undermines progressive coalition talks, demands PSOE drop Ciudadanos from negotiations
• PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez rejects Podemos’ bid for exclusive negotiations • Dialogue between Spain’s Socialist party (PSOE) and anti-austerity party Podemos…
#VIDEO: Pedro Sánchez press conference Feb. 5th, following meeting with Pablo Iglesias [in Spanish]
• PSOE leader rejects demand for ‘exclusive’ negotiations with Podemos • Sánchez leaves door open to inclusive, multi-party dialogue on policy issues…
#VIDEO: Pablo Iglesias press conference Feb. 5th, following meeting with Pedro Sánchez [in Spanish]
• Podemos won’t negotiate with PSOE if talks with Ciudadanos continue • Iglesias told Sánchez Socialists must choose either Podemos or Ciudadanos…
Five NGOs press Sánchez to push sustainability, social justice to forefront of coalition negotiations
• Major ‘green’ NGOs press for commitment from parties on environment • As Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist party (PSOE) continues with…
#VIDEO: Pedro Sánchez press conference on meeting with Ciudadanos’ Albert Rivera [in Spanish]
• PSOE’s Sánchez puts positive spin on initial meeting with Rivera • Stresses discussion focused on points that unite, not divide two…
PSOE, Ciudadanos agree to talks in five key policy areas, Rivera vetoes coalition pact with Podemos
• Rivera says PP’s 123 seats in Congress must be taken into account • Political leaders Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist party…
#VIDEO: Interview with IU leader Alberto Garzón on negotiations to form progressive gov’t [in Spanish]
• Garzón says reaching consensus on progressive program most important • Says one month for PSOE’s Pedro Sánchez to form coalition is…
Removal of Franco-era monuments in Madrid sparks controversy and challenge from regional government
• Monuments honor military, civilians & politicians killed by Republicans • A precipitous move by the Culture Secretary of the municipality of…
Catalan secessionists move forward with creation of three new laws in challenge to Constitutional Court
• Laws stem from pro-independence resolution declared ‘unconstitutional’ • Members of the Catalonia’s small anti-capitalist CUP party voted with the pro-independence Junts…
The long and winding road: Spain’s tortuous path to a new coalition government or new general elections
• Sánchez has just 30 days, before clock starts ticking toward new elections • Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez has been granted 3-4…
#VIDEO: Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez accepts King’s request to attempt to form new government
• PSOE leader says he will begin negotiations to form coalition immediately Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez has accepted the request by Spain’s…
Podemos, Ciudadanos narrow Sánchez’s room for maneuver, saying ‘no way’ to tripartite coalition
• PSOE leader’s chances to secure enough votes for coalition gov’t dwindling • Efforts by the leader of Spain’s Socialist party (PSOE),…
#VIDEO: Pablo Iglesias press conference after second meeting with King Felipe [in Spanish]
• Podemos leader says he’s been ‘more than generous’ in offer to Socialists • A PSOE-led tripartite coalition with Podemos & Ciudadanos…
Pedro Sánchez says coalition pact could include centre-right Ciudadanos or anti-austerity Podemos
• PSOE leader says he will look to political right and left for coalition support • Facing repeated denials by the conservative Popular…
Felipe González tells parties: move past narrow interests, reach deal to move forward with reforms
• Former PM warns PSOE to avoid coalition with “Leninism 3.0” of Podemos • Former Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez has called on…
Socialist leaders hostile to pact with Podemos, as parties jockey for position to form new government
• PSOE’s Felipe González wants Sánchez to step away from Podemos deal • As Spain’s political parties jockey for position in their…
PSOE tells Rajoy to step up to form gov’t or step down, parties head for 2nd round of talks with King
• PSOE pressured by PP on right, Podemos on left in crucial week of talks • Following Friday’s surprise announcement by conservative…
Majority of Socialist, Podemos voters support coalition pact, according to latest Metroscopia poll
• Rank-and-file support coalition, King begins Round 2 of talks with parties • A majority of voters who supported the Socialists (PSOE)…
#VIDEO: Rajoy surprise move, declines King’s request to form new government [in Spanish]
• Acting Prime Minister says he does not have sufficient number of votes • First time in 40 years since Franco that…
#VIDEO: Pedro Sanchez press conference, response to Podemos coalition offer [in Spanish]
• PSOE leader raps Podemos for first seeking ministerial posts • Says ready to talk with Pablo Iglesias about forming progressive coalition…
#VIDEO: Podemos press conference outlining coalition proposal with PSOE [in Spanish]
• Pablo Iglesias told King he wants to be Vice-President in PSOE-led gov’t • Podemos demands six ministerial cabinets in progressive-left coalition…