euroefe
La Rioja representative: Future of Europe linked to future of regions
Involving regions in decision-making processes at the European level is essential to ensure that policy measures are adapted to their unique particularities, Ciudadano’s spokesperson at La Rioja regional parliament, Pablo Baena, told EURACTIV's partner EFE in an interview.
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.
Spain makes plea for ‘flexibility’ in EU recovery plan
The Spanish government is seeking “flexibility” from Brussels on the sensitive topic of state aid to help battered companies hit by the COVID-19 crisis as the government will disclose next week details of its recovery plan (Plan de Recuperación), EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Parties launch ‘Battle of Madrid’ ahead of snap regional poll
Political parties vying for power in Madrid’s regional parliament have officially launched their campaigns, two weeks days ahead of a snap vote taking place amid rising COVID-19 cases and deep political polarisation. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain to receive first batch of single-dose Janssen vaccine
The first batch of doses of the Janssen (Johnson&Johnson) single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is due to arrive in Spain within 48 hours according to the country’s health minister, Carolina Darias, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Spanish PM under pressure to lay out next steps in tackling pandemic
Spainish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will this week detail further plans to manage the COVID-19 pandemic amid fierce criticism from the conservative opposition about the slow vaccination roll-out and controversy surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain agrees ‘rescue plan’ to save aerospace jobs
The Spanish government, trade unions, and employer’s associations announced on Wednesday (3 February) an emergency rescue plan to maintain production capacity in the country’s aerospace factories and save thousands of jobs, mainly in the Spanish branch of EU manufacturer Airbus. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Fresh polls predict tie between separatist parties in Catalan elections
Fresh polls predict a virtual “technical tie” between the two main pro-independence parties in the elections to be held in Catalonia on 14 February. Socialist candidate and Spain's former health minister Salvador Illa is predicted to come third. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Spain’s health minister leaves to run as socialist candidate in Catalan elections
Spain’s health minister, Salvador Illa, officially resigned on Tuesday (26 January), after just over a year in office, to run in the upcoming elections in Catalonia scheduled for 14 February. Illa’s exit prompted some criticism, as well as a slight reshuffle in the Spanish coalition government, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Sanchez praises EU unity, insists Spain will implement COVID recovery funds
Unity at the national and EU level will be key for Spain and Europe to overcome the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said, adding that his government would successfully implement the €140 billion from the EU for the country's pandemic response and recovery.
Spain’s new Google and Tobin taxes to generate about €1 billion this year
Spain’s new taxes on digital and financial services, approved last year, came into force on Saturday (16 January). The first collection is expected in March or April, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain planning reforms to access EU funding sooner
The Spanish government is currently drafting a detailed “road map” of reforms – including changes to pensions and the country's labour law – in order to speed up access to EU funding and mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain to extend temporary lay-off schemes for 800,000 workers
The Spanish government is ready to approve before Friday (15 January) an extension of temporary lay-off schemes put in place March last year to protect jobs for around 800,000 workers affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the tourism and services sectors. EURACTIV’s partner EuroEFE reports.
Spain to launch Whatsapp channel to fight vaccine disinformation
Spain’s health ministry will soon launch a WhatsApp interactive channel to fight against disinformation on COVID-19 vaccines, El País reported. This should help reduce the percentage of Spaniards who still refuse to get vaccinated. EURACTIV's partner EuroEfe reports.
Spanish parliament approves controversial euthanasia bill
The Spanish parliament (Congreso de los Diputados) approved on Thursday with a large majority a controversial bill to regulate euthanasia in the country, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain ready to implement tougher measures as ‘Christmas clock’ is ticking
With the virus not going away ahead of the Christmas season, the Spanish government is ready to implement tougher measures, Spain’s socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told parliament on Wednesday, EFE reports.
Spain’s prime minister: Economic growth does not guarantee well-being
Spain’s socialist Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, stressed in Paris on Monday (14 December) that "economic growth does not guarantee well-being" and that the world needs a change of paradigm to deal with new challenges. EURACTIV's partner EFE reported.
Spain’s government encourages regions to submit ‘powerful projects’ eligible for EU financing
Spain’s Minister for Territorial Policy, Carolina Darias, encouraged local councils and regional governments in the country to submit "powerful projects", mainly focused in areas such as the “green economy”, digital transformation, social cohesion and gender equality, all of which are eligible for financing under the EU Next Generation fund, EURACTIV's partner EFE reported.
EMA director: Europeans are better protected with ‘EU licensed’ COVID vaccine
In an exclusive interview in Amsterdam with EURACTIV’s partner EFE, Emer Cooke, the executive director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), stressed that Europeans are much “better protected" if the COVID-19 vaccine is authorised by the EU agency.
Spanish minister confident end-of-year economic figures better than predicted
Spain's economy will do slightly better than previously forecast, with a 2.4% GDP increase by the end of this month, the country's Inclusion and Social Security Minister José Luis Escrivá predicted on Tuesday (8 December). EFE reports.
Spain’s health minister urges people to apply ‘common sense’ over Christmas
The new restrictions approved by the Spanish government to prevent the spread of the virus at Christmas are “very tough”, health minister Salvador Illa admitted on Monday (7 December) but warned that their success would depend almost exclusively upon every citizen’s responsible behaviour. EURACTIV's partner EFE reported.
Spanish parliament approves ‘historical’ state budget for 2021
The Spanish parliament on Thursday (3 December) approved by a large majority the new state budget bill for 2021, which gathered the support of 11 political parties, including Catalan and Basque separatists, EFE reports.
Commission calls for meeting with Frontex over alleged ‘push-back incidents’
The European Commission has called for an urgent extraordinary meeting of the Management Board of EU border agency Frontex, which has been accused of "illegal pushbacks" of migrants in the Aegan Sea. EURACTIV's partner Euroefe reports.