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Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is on a three-day trip to west Africa. He's hoping to curb the record number of unauthorised migrants travelling by boat to Europe via the Canary Islands. But why is migration increasing?Also why is there a delay in paying the Kenyan police deployed in Haiti? And what does naming of a lion, after the leader of the opposition, tell us about politics in Tanzania today?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
In this week's episode of the Centre for European Reform podcast, host Octavia Hughes speaks to the head of our Brussels office, Camino Mortera-Martínez. They discuss the results of the Spanish local and regional elections and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's decision to call a snap election. Camino explains what is at stake for Spain and Sánchez, including the rotating presidency of the council of ministers of the EU, which Madrid is due to hold between July and December. Produced by Octavia Hughes Music by Edward Hipkins
This week Spain's progressive coalition unveiled its budget for next year aimed at dealing with the cost of living crisis. Eoghan sat down with sociologist Carlos Delclós to analyse the package of measures that were agreed by the country's progressive coalition and to discuss what it says about Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's party political strategy as we enter a big election year.
Spanish offices, stores, and hospitality venues will no longer be allowed to set their cooling systems below 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer nor raise heating above 19 degrees Celsius in the winter under a new set of energy-saving measures passed August 1. Shops will also be obliged to keep doors closed and heating systems must be checked more often to increase efficiency under the new measures, Spanish Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera said. The measures include switching off store window lights after 10 p.m. Street lighting will not be affected. The government passed the bill as part of a bid to reduce the country's gas consumption by 7% in line with the recent European Union energy agreements to limit dependency on Russian gas. Ribera said the measures would initially be maintained until November 2023. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the new package saying, “You just need to walk into a shopping mall to realize that maybe the temperature is set too low.” Spanish public institutions already operate similar energy-saving regulations. The government says the measures will not only save energy but will also bring down bills for households and businesses. Spain is one of the hottest European countries in summer. The country has already had two heat waves this year with temperatures often surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for several days in a row. Temperatures were forecasted to soar again in the first weeks of August. This article was provided by The Associated Press.
The Spanish government on Tuesday announced a 12.3 billion-euro ($13.2 billion) investment plan to convert the country into a major producer of microchips and help reduce the dependence of Spain and the European Union on other suppliers. The announcement in Madrid came as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was to meet with leaders of technological firms at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, to explain the plan and seek further investment. Speaking in Madrid, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Nadia Calviño said the five-year plan is aimed at enabling Spain to cover every area in the design and production of microchips, which are now considered key to all areas of modern industry. A global computer chip shortage has made it harder for consumers to get their hands on cars, computers and other modern-day necessities. The European Union has announced a $48 billion plan to become a major semiconductor producer, mirroring U.S. President Joe Biden's $52 billion push to invest in a national chip-producing sector to ensure more production occurs domestically. She said the plan was among the most ambitious of the Spanish government's projects to reboot the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic and that it would have an effect on other sectors. The project was directed at boosting the EU's weak position in microchip production, which Calviño said represented some 10% of the world total. She said this led to a great dependence on a small number of major producers such as Taiwan, the United States, South Korea, Japan and China. Calviño added that “the war in Ukraine makes it a priority to reinforce strategic autonomy in energy, technology, food production as well as cybersecurity.” This article was provided by The Associated Press.
An indefinite strike by some Spanish truck drivers over rising fuel prices has triggered supply chain problems across the country, leaving several sectors struggling to cope, business associations have said. Spain's Guardia Civil have been called out to guarantee the transportation of essential services in some areas [see video in Tweet below]. The strike that was called by a minor truck driver union started on Monday, with protestors demanding action over the soaring cost of diesel which they said was leaving them in a ‘catastrophic' situation.....................On Wednesday evening, the government said it was going to take steps to reduce the price of energy and fuel, but did not spell out how. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is currently on a European tour to lobby for a common EU response to soaring energy prices.
The Ukraine crisis has entered Spanish domestic politics, showcasing division within the coalition government over Spain's participation in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led effort to deter Russia from escalating the conflict further. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE) has run into open objections from his governing partners in the leftist Unidas Podemos, and is instead finding support in the main opposition Popular Party (PP). A major initiative to promote renewable hydrogen projects across all sectors of the economy in Spain has been launched, led by global energy company Repsol. The Spanish Hydrogen Network project, known as ‘SHYNE', brings together 22 companies and 11 associations, technology centres and universities, with the goal of promoting renewable hydrogen projects throughout Spain to speed up the expansion of this renewable energy source as part of the government's target of decarbonisation. A new Banksy exhibition entitled ‘Banksy: the Art of Protest' is on at Barcelona's Museu del Disseny and displays over 70 works from the elusive artist. Long renowned as one of the most important artists of the 21st century, the Banksy exhibition also includes a range of multimedia exhibits from private collections. During the first 16 days of November, around 20 or so coordinated Twitter accounts described Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as “handsome” 100 times and “gorgeous” another 39 times. Second delight of the week is the decision by culture secretary Nadine Dorries to freeze the BBC licence fee for the next two years. This almost unbelievably biasedoperation simply must be curbed. The Duke of York last night set himself on a 'collision course with the Palace' who will be 'horrified' by his insistence on facing Virginia Roberts in a US court to deny claims they had sex three times when she was 17. She says this amounts to rape, sexual assault and battery. His lawyers said last night that the royal 'hereby demands a trial by jury on all causes of action asserted in the complaint' because he denies 'any and all wrongdoing'. The Catalan parliament has passed a resolution to rehabiliate the memory of more than 700 women who were tortured and executed as witches over three hundred years ago..
According to La Razon, Klaudia Tanner asserted that the question was not whether there was going to be a blackout, but rather that “the question is when it will be”. Portugal's political situation is hanging by a thread. This is after the country's Socialist Party minority government failed to secure the necessary support from other parties for its 2022 state budget to be approved. As a result, a snap election could well be called by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, which would be two years ahead of time. Poland has been ordered to pay a penalty of 1 million euros (£845,000) per day until it complies with the European Union's top court's order to scrap disciplinary rules for judges. The Court of Justice of the European Union delivered the decision on Wednesday to prevent what it called 'serious and irreparable harm' to the EU's legal order and values amid an increasingly bitter row over the rule of law. Spanish railway company Renfe wants to begin a high-speed train service between Paris and London. The company said it wants to take advantage of slots still available in the tunnel under the English Channel, it was reported on Tuesday. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has committed to abolishing prostitution in Spain via a comprehensive law that he is planning to present before his term in office ends. Due to the way that the sector operates and the links it has to organized crime, prostitution has become a destabilizing factor, but above all else, it represents a dramatic situation in the center of societies and for the very human condition. Just before the finish line at the Condaca Salmor cycle race on the island of El Hierro in the Canary Islands on Saturday. But footage shows that as the front- runner raced towards victory, a woman stepped out into the road and caused a brutal collision. It was reported that the woman was treated at the scene but the unlucky rider, who had already been robbed of his win, was taken to hospital with a head injury. Investigation launched into killer whale attacks in Spain Scientists in Spain are puzzled about the huge rise in killer whale attacks in recent years A study has been launched to investigate the rising incidence of killer whale.. Low cost petrol stations in high demand in Spain. One in eight service stations in Spain is now fully automated Soaring oil prices around the globe have led to a huge increase in the cost of petrol and diesel in Spain.. New Traffic Law in Spain lets learners take their theory test online Those wanting a new Spanish driving licence can also take the theory test in English A new Law on Traffic, Vehicle Circulation and Road Safety being passed in the Spanish.. Transport sector in Spain threatens strikes over tolls.....Spain intends to implement a pay system on highways by 2024 Several months have passed since the Spanish government announced its intention to implement tolls on high-capacity.. Animal ID to be introduced in Spain next year..........The new DNI identification requirement will apply to all dogs and cats in Spain The Spanish government has announced a wave of new measures to advance the rights of companion Transport sector in Spain threatens strikes over tolls Spain intends to implement a pay system on highways by 2024 Several months have passed since the Spanish government announced its intention to implement tolls on high-capacity.. Spain will make it easier for unaccompanied young migrants to obtain residence and work permits. Under new rules, young migrants will be entitled to documents after three months in Spain, instead of the current nine months.
Counter terrorism officers are tonight leading the investigation into the murder of Tory MP Sir David Amess, as forces across the country are being urged to launch an 'immediate review' of security for politicians. News from Norway as a bow-and-arrow attacker who killed five people in Norway was a Muslim convert who was known to police for radicalisation, officers have said, as they revealed he escaped arrest before going on to kill five people. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE), who heads a leftist coalition, was booed by members of the public as he arrived at Castellana boulevard in Madrid on Tuesday morning, Spain's Natopnal Day. The jeers continued during the military parade, with the public yelling “get out” and “resign, Sánchez.” In Spain, October 12 also marks a relevant religious festivity, the day of la Virgen del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar), a representation of the Virgin Mary that is considered the patron saint of the Spanish city of Zaragoza.
Counter terrorism officers are tonight leading the investigation into the murder of Tory MP Sir David Amess, as forces across the country are being urged to launch an 'immediate review' of security for politicians. News from Norway as a bow-and-arrow attacker who killed five people in Norway was a Muslim convert who was known to police for radicalisation, officers have said, as they revealed he escaped arrest before going on to kill five people. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE), who heads a leftist coalition, was booed by members of the public as he arrived at Castellana boulevard in Madrid on Tuesday morning, Spain's Natopnal Day. The jeers continued during the military parade, with the public yelling “get out” and “resign, Sánchez.” In Spain, October 12 also marks a relevant religious festivity, the day of la Virgen del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar), a representation of the Virgin Mary that is considered the patron saint of the Spanish city of Zaragoza.
Pablo Iglesias, leader of the left-wing Podemos group and currently the second deputy prime minister in the coalition government with the PSOE socialists, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is to leave his role to stand for the presidency of the Madrid regional government, in the elections to be held on 4 May. Iglesias has announced his reasons and intentions in a video posted on social media Madrid will be heading to the polls on 4 May following last week’s ‘political earthquake’. The current president of the capital’s regional government, Isabel Díaz Ayuso of the right-wing People’s Party (PP), called for elections in order to avoid a potential motion of no confidence against her from the socialist PSOE and centre-right Ciudadanos (Cs) parties. In an interview on Monday, Ayuso has said that she will have no problem making a pact with the far-right Vox party, if necessary.
Spain’s Coronavirus-ravaged economy is expected to fall by an unprecedented 11.2% this year, with tax revenues due to fall by 7.6%. The PSOE–Podemos coalition government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez aims to bolster revenues by 6.8 billion euros with its 2021 budget. ‘This budget cannot be postponed. This budget is essential for the modernisation and recovery of our economy,’ Sánchez said.
The worst storm to hit eastern Spain in the last 140 years finally let up on Sunday after wreaking havoc in Valencia, Alicante, Murcia and Almería. The torrential downpours caused rivers to burst their banks, dragging cars and people away, flooding streets, forcing thousands from their homes, and destroying at least 300,000 hectares of prime agricultural land according to early estimates. Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected the latest offer made by the leftist group Unidas Podemos in a bid to reach a governing deal that would prevent a repea t general election in November. The Spanish government is “preparing itself for the worst” The acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez President has brought in an extra 875 civil servants to deal with the extra work expected with a no-deal. Economy minister Nadia Calvino has stated: “We have to be prepared for the worst. The prime minister has arranged a special meeting with ministers most directly related with the subject so that they are right up-to-date with what’s happening, can analyse the situation and put in extra measures if necessary.” Protesters jeered Boris Johnson after the showdown talks with the EU commission president at a restaurant. And he then faced cat-calls from a crowd including British ex-pats as he arrived for a meeting with Luxembourg counterpart Xavier Bettel. COMMENT......... This was a pathetic set up by Luxembourg to try and humiliate Boris Johnson. This was disrespectful and Boris was right to not go out and be shouted down by those protesters who strangely had microphones and speakers. A hero female police officer who tried to save a baby 'thrown to his death off a bridge'has been forced to delete her Twitter account after being bombarded with disgustingsexist messages.
The worst storm to hit eastern Spain in the last 140 years finally let up on Sunday after wreaking havoc in Valencia, Alicante, Murcia and Almería. The torrential downpours caused rivers to burst their banks, dragging cars and people away, flooding streets, forcing thousands from their homes, and destroying at least 300,000 hectares of prime agricultural land according to early estimates. Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected the latest offer made by the leftist group Unidas Podemos in a bid to reach a governing deal that would prevent a repea t general election in November. The Spanish government is “preparing itself for the worst” The acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez President has brought in an extra 875 civil servants to deal with the extra work expected with a no-deal. Economy minister Nadia Calvino has stated: “We have to be prepared for the worst. The prime minister has arranged a special meeting with ministers most directly related with the subject so that they are right up-to-date with what’s happening, can analyse the situation and put in extra measures if necessary.” Protesters jeered Boris Johnson after the showdown talks with the EU commission president at a restaurant. And he then faced cat-calls from a crowd including British ex-pats as he arrived for a meeting with Luxembourg counterpart Xavier Bettel. COMMENT......... This was a pathetic set up by Luxembourg to try and humiliate Boris Johnson. This was disrespectful and Boris was right to not go out and be shouted down by those protesters who strangely had microphones and speakers. A hero female police officer who tried to save a baby 'thrown to his death off a bridge'has been forced to delete her Twitter account after being bombarded with disgustingsexist messages.
The largest grouping in Brussels, The UK Brexit Party, arrived at their first European Parliament session today and immediately kicked off a row by turning their backs as the EU anthem was played. This has been happening against a backdrop of the EU voting for key positions to be filled. The leaders of the EU 28 member states met last Tuesday to hammer out who should take over from Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, and Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, as well as a number of other roles. The Spanish economy has continued to surpass expectations for 2019, while outperforming the wider European economy. The Bank of Spain has responded to this strong performance by increasing its yearly growth forecast from 2.2% to 2.4%, a particularly impressive figure given that the overall European economy has a growth rate of 1.4%. The lack of a stable government in Madrid, more than two months after the April 28 general election, means that nobody is working on getting a national budget approved – the election was called early partly due to acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s inability to sell his blueprint to parliament. NEW guidelines have been submitted by the General Directorate of Traffic to increase the penalties imposed for distractions whilst driving. Actions such as sending or reading a Whatsapp message, talking on the phone, manipulating the touch screen in any way or car navigation, opening a soda bottle or even lighting a cigarette will all be punishable by a fine and 6 points deducted from your license. . MEMBERS of Madrid’s Greenpeace carried banners saying “Central Madrid works” and “no more cars” on the first day that fines are suspended in the low emission areas of Madrid. IN the UK Labour was plunged into a fresh anti-Semitism row today as a poll revealed heavy support for controversial MP Chris Williamson to be reinstated despite him saying the party was 'too apologetic' about anti-Jewish abuse. ....LOUISE ATKINSON writing about Glastonbury: It is utterly disgusting, but sadly typical. The sight of field after field,pictured left and right, covered in rubbish has become the inevitable fall-out of the summer festival culture as people (usually young people aged 17-24 let their hair down, party their socks off and then stagger back to their middle-class homes leaving environmental carnage behind. Whilst the Brazilian rainforests are being demolished at the rate of one football pitch per minute...The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have asked fans to consider their carbon footprint, just days after new figures show the Royal Household's emissions doubled last year. Parents should put their smartphones down and take every opportunity to talk to their children face to face, the Education Secretary ...........Damian Hinds believes keeping up with social media and work emails often prevents mums and dads from chatting to their offspring. Leapy Lee......I am completely aware that I am ‘also an immigrant.’ I am actually quite a proud immigrant. Many years ago, due to personal reasons, I left the UK and, after some years in the Middle East, moved to Spain where I have resided for the last 35 years. This country has been good to me. .......... Unfortunately the majority of aliens that are pouring into Europe at this time appear to have a different agenda altogether. I am fervently convinced that if our so called leaders don’t wake up soon it will all be too late. Sadly, I
The largest grouping in Brussels, The UK Brexit Party, arrived at their first European Parliament session today and immediately kicked off a row by turning their backs as the EU anthem was played. This has been happening against a backdrop of the EU voting for key positions to be filled. The leaders of the EU 28 member states met last Tuesday to hammer out who should take over from Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, and Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, as well as a number of other roles. The Spanish economy has continued to surpass expectations for 2019, while outperforming the wider European economy. The Bank of Spain has responded to this strong performance by increasing its yearly growth forecast from 2.2% to 2.4%, a particularly impressive figure given that the overall European economy has a growth rate of 1.4%. The lack of a stable government in Madrid, more than two months after the April 28 general election, means that nobody is working on getting a national budget approved – the election was called early partly due to acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s inability to sell his blueprint to parliament. NEW guidelines have been submitted by the General Directorate of Traffic to increase the penalties imposed for distractions whilst driving. Actions such as sending or reading a Whatsapp message, talking on the phone, manipulating the touch screen in any way or car navigation, opening a soda bottle or even lighting a cigarette will all be punishable by a fine and 6 points deducted from your license. . MEMBERS of Madrid’s Greenpeace carried banners saying “Central Madrid works” and “no more cars” on the first day that fines are suspended in the low emission areas of Madrid. IN the UK Labour was plunged into a fresh anti-Semitism row today as a poll revealed heavy support for controversial MP Chris Williamson to be reinstated despite him saying the party was 'too apologetic' about anti-Jewish abuse. ....LOUISE ATKINSON writing about Glastonbury: It is utterly disgusting, but sadly typical. The sight of field after field,pictured left and right, covered in rubbish has become the inevitable fall-out of the summer festival culture as people (usually young people aged 17-24 let their hair down, party their socks off and then stagger back to their middle-class homes leaving environmental carnage behind. Whilst the Brazilian rainforests are being demolished at the rate of one football pitch per minute...The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have asked fans to consider their carbon footprint, just days after new figures show the Royal Household's emissions doubled last year. Parents should put their smartphones down and take every opportunity to talk to their children face to face, the Education Secretary ...........Damian Hinds believes keeping up with social media and work emails often prevents mums and dads from chatting to their offspring. Leapy Lee......I am completely aware that I am ‘also an immigrant.’ I am actually quite a proud immigrant. Many years ago, due to personal reasons, I left the UK and, after some years in the Middle East, moved to Spain where I have resided for the last 35 years. This country has been good to me. .......... Unfortunately the majority of aliens that are pouring into Europe at this time appear to have a different agenda altogether. I am fervently convinced that if our so called leaders don’t wake up soon it will all be too late. Sadly, I
Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Pablo Casado of the Popular Party (PP) have agreed to open up a permanent communication channel on the issue of Catalonia, where the independence drive has deeply divided the region. APRIL was a good month for the job market. Employment, measured by Social Security affiliation, increased by 186,785 contributors compared to March. This means the number of people paying social security is now 19.23 million, the highest since July 2008 ........... In the newspapers.......... commenting after Notre Dame....let me run a few facts by you. In 2016 three females, with radical ties to Islam, were arrested in a street adjacent to Notre Dame; along with a lorry containing six gas cylinders and Arabic propaganda papers........ .....THE debate over Brexit isn’t about Brexit anymore. It’s about democratic accountability and the limits of referenda in modern politics. ....... There is no stipulation or law that mandates their results be taken as gospel nor a limit as to how many ones you can have. According to the House of Lords Constitution Committee, referendums “cannot be legally binding in the UK, and are therefore advisory.” The knife crime epidemic has been directly fuelled by drastic cuts in youth services, according to MPs' research published today. It found that police forces covering areas with the biggest youth services cuts – such as West Midlands, the Metropolitan, Cambridgeshire and Thames Valley – have also seen some of the highest increases in knife offences. Widespread fears over the harmful effects on teenagers of spending hours on social media could be misplaced, according to a major British study. It claims online activity only has a ‘trivial’ effect on their happiness, flying in the face of research and the prevailing opinion of many parents.
Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Pablo Casado of the Popular Party (PP) have agreed to open up a permanent communication channel on the issue of Catalonia, where the independence drive has deeply divided the region. APRIL was a good month for the job market. Employment, measured by Social Security affiliation, increased by 186,785 contributors compared to March. This means the number of people paying social security is now 19.23 million, the highest since July 2008 ........... In the newspapers.......... commenting after Notre Dame....let me run a few facts by you. In 2016 three females, with radical ties to Islam, were arrested in a street adjacent to Notre Dame; along with a lorry containing six gas cylinders and Arabic propaganda papers........ .....THE debate over Brexit isn’t about Brexit anymore. It’s about democratic accountability and the limits of referenda in modern politics. ....... There is no stipulation or law that mandates their results be taken as gospel nor a limit as to how many ones you can have. According to the House of Lords Constitution Committee, referendums “cannot be legally binding in the UK, and are therefore advisory.” The knife crime epidemic has been directly fuelled by drastic cuts in youth services, according to MPs' research published today. It found that police forces covering areas with the biggest youth services cuts – such as West Midlands, the Metropolitan, Cambridgeshire and Thames Valley – have also seen some of the highest increases in knife offences. Widespread fears over the harmful effects on teenagers of spending hours on social media could be misplaced, according to a major British study. It claims online activity only has a ‘trivial’ effect on their happiness, flying in the face of research and the prevailing opinion of many parents.
In the fifth installment of our audio series, journalists from the English Edition probe the causes behind a demonstration aimed at throwing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez out of office