Fernando Heller
Brussels approves €12 billion EU aid for Spain, green-lights reforms
The European Commission on Monday approved a second tranche of €12 billion for Spain from the post-pandemic EU recovery fund after confirming it has implemented all measures agreed with Brussels, including labour reform and the pension system reform. This disbursement,...
Spain approves anti-crisis package targeting energy companies
The government on Saturday (25 June) approved a new anti-crisis package worth €9.1 billion aimed at reducing the impact of inflation on the most vulnerable and targeting the windfall profits made by big energy companies this year due to the soaring price of gas on global markets.
Sanchez defends Morocco’s handling of Melilla border incidents
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has come under fire, including by members of his own government, for defending the actions of Moroccan authorities in response to the attempted border breach by migrants at the Spanish enclave Melilla. Of the 2,000...
Spain to reduce electricity VAT to mitigate crisis impact
A 5% VAT reduction on electricity prices, a mitigating measure included in a new anti-crisis package to be approved by the government on Saturday (June 25), was announced by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday. In a speech before...
Historic heatwave hits Spain
The current heatwave gripping Spain is set to continue until at least the end of the week, with temperatures already reaching 43.2 degrees celsius, the country’s meteorological agency AEMET said on Wednesday.
Spain to call for more energy ambition in EU at Brussels summit
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will call for more ambition to implement the reform of the European electricity markets and reduce energy bills on Monday and Tuesday at the EU summit in Brussels, Spanish official sources told EURACTIV’s partner EFE. Sánchez,...
EU Commission approves Spanish-Portuguese plan to cap gas prices
The European Commission has given the green light to a Portuguese-Spanish proposal, also known as the “Iberian exception”, to cap gas prices on Monday, announced Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, adding that both countries are working to pass national legislation...
Spain becoming one of Europe’s new hydrogen hubs, says von der Leyen
Spain is becoming one of Europe’s new hydrogen hubs, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a press conference in Barcelona on Friday, adding that the country has always been a “front runner” in the NextGenerationEU plan. “This...
Spain and Morocco proclaim new phase in relations after year-long chill
The leaders of Spain and Morocco announced a new phase in bilateral relations at the conclusion of a meeting on Thursday (7 April) that marked the end of a nearly year-long diplomatic chill between the two nations.
Far-right leaders agree on ‘roadmap for sovereign and patriotic Europe’
Nine far-right and nationalist European leaders, among others Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and France’s Marine Le Pen, have agreed on a "roadmap" for a patriotic Europe during a meeting held last weekend in Madrid. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain eyes EU Solidarity Fund for La Palma volcano damage
Spain will formally ask the European Commission to activate the EU Solidarity Fund to obtain extra resources to repair the damage caused by the volcanic eruption on La Palma island, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Friday. EURACTIV’s partner EFE...
Spain, EU Commission agree on instrument to finance recovery plan
Spain’s left-wing government has signed an agreement with the Commission detailing all operational instruments of the country’s national recovery plan, a formal step which will allow Madrid to request, shortly, the first half-yearly “tranche” of €10 billion from EU resources.
Spanish PM reaches election mid-term amid renewed optimism
Spain’s socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez starts the second half of his term in office on Wednesday (10 November) amid growing confidence that his ruling coalition with the left-wing Unidas Podemos (United We Can) will last until the end of 2023.
Spain urges EU to take energy crisis measures ‘beyond winter’
Ahead of this week's EU summit, Spain has urged the bloc to implement urgent and coordinated measures to mitigate rising energy prices, warning of a "risk" that energy shortages could last beyond next winter in Europe.
Spanish government set to extend furlough schemes for one year
The Spanish government has proposed to extend temporary lay-off schemes. This system has significantly protected thousands of jobs endangered by the pandemic, only for one extra year. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Spanish power companies clash with government over measures to reduce electricity bill
Spain’s biggest power companies, such as Iberdrola and Endesa, have warned against any intervention in the electricity market by the Spanish state, after the socialist government’s decision to implement urgent measures to bring down soaring energy bills, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spanish PM rules out another Catalonia referendum
Spain’s socialist Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, and Pere Aragonès, Catalonia’s pro-independence president, will open on Wednesday afternoon in Barcelona a new era of "political dialogue" between Spain’s central government and the prosperous Spanish region. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain urges EU to quickly approve all national recovery plans
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday urged Brussels to quickly approve all the national recovery plans as this would unblock the funding needed for the economic recovery of countries particularly affected by the pandemic, including Spain.
No Easter break for vaccinations in Spain as case numbers rise
Vaccinations against COVID-19 will continue in Spain over the Easter period as coronavirus case numbers climb again to pass the nationwide threshold of 150 cases per 100,000 people, placing the country in the highest risk level. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain’s central bank urges extension of temporary lay-off schemes
Spain's Central Bank has recommended the extension of temporary lay-off schemes known as ERTEs for employees in economic sectors worst-hit by the pandemic, in particular tourism. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Spain tightens COVID-19 restrictions, mask wearing rules
Spain will as of Wednesday (31 March) implement a series of new and tougher measures to prevent COVID-19 infections under the so-called New Normality Law, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain presents new EU-Africa development strategy
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said his country has aspirations to help create a new EU development strategy in Africa, EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Tourism debate reaches fever pitch in Spain as Easter break begins
With some of Europe’s most relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, Spain is awaiting a modest influx of foreign tourists over the Easter holidays, but the topic has sparked debate in a country where locals are not permitted to travel outside their regions, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.