About: Spain
Spain to nix nuclear and coal power by 2030
Spain will close the last of its nuclear reactors and coal power plants before 2030, according to State Secretary for Energy José Dominguez, who made the announcement shortly after Madrid pledged to work towards a completely renewable electricity system.
Spain targets 100% renewable power by 2050
Spain’s government has published a new climate plan that targets a 100% renewable energy electricity system by 2050, with goals that outstrip those adopted by the EU and a ban on new gas and oil exploration.
Spain’s trade chief: China’s commitment to open its economy is ‘unquestionable’
Spain and China celebrate this year the 45th anniversary of their bilateral relations. In order to continue strengthening this bond, Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Madrid in the coming weeks. “We are already seeing that China is opening its markets,” Spain’s Trade chief Xiana Margarida Méndez told EURACTIV.com.
Former IMF chief to serve four years in prison over ‘black cards’ case
Former managing director of the International Monetary Fund and ex-Finance minister of Spain Rodrigo Rato entered into prison on Thursday (25 October) to serve four-and-a-half-years term over ‘black cards’ case.
Spain returns migrants to Morocco after storming of Melilla enclave
Spain sent 55 migrants back to Morocco on Monday (22 October), a day after they forced their way into the Spanish territory of Melilla during an assault on the border in which two migrants died and 19 were injured.
Brexit uncertainties haunt UK expats living in Spain
A lack of clarity in the Brexit negotiations has left many British expatriates living in Spain uncertain about just how the UK's withdrawal from the EU will affect their lives in the future, the head of the group 'Brexpats in Spain' told EURACTIV's media partner EFE in an interview Saturday (20 October).
Symbol of Barcelona hit with €36 million fine over non-existent permits
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s most recognisable landmark and the best example of unfinished architecture in Europe has agreed to pay a hefty fine after operating without a building permit for well over a century.
Diplomatic tensions flare between Spain and Belgium over Catalan crisis
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel sought to defuse bilateral tensions at an EU summit yesterday (17 October) after Flemish and Spanish authorities traded accusations over Spain's handling of Catalonia's illegal declaration of independence and imprisonment of separatists.
Eurozone faces critical budget issue as Italy defies the rules
For the first time since post-crisis rules entered into force, all eurozone countries are to submit their draft budget plans to the European Commission, but the Commission could also make an unprecedented move itself: sending one of budgets back to where it came from, most likely, Rome.
France-Italy tensions as ministers meet on immigration
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe urged far-right Italian leader Matteo Salvini on Monday (8 October) to drop his "posturing" on immigration and help find a European response to the issue.
New controversy hits Spanish PM Sánchez’s bumpy start
Beloved in Brussels, on the ropes in Madrid, the Spanish socialist government faced this week one more scandal after it was reported that star minister and former astronaut Pedro Duque used a legal entity to pay lower his tax bill.
Uber, Cabify drivers strike in Madrid to protest against planned law changes
Thousands of drivers for ride-hailing services Uber and Cabify, waving flags and chanting slogans such as “we want to work”, marched down Madrid’s central boulevard on Thursday ahead of plans by the government to tighten regulation.
Spain furious over Flemish letter to Catalan separatist
Spain summoned the Belgian ambassador over a letter sent to jailed Catalan separatist Carme Forcadell by the speaker of the regional Flemish parliament questioning democracy in Spain, a diplomatic source said Wednesday (26 September).
In May 2019, Europe will vote on migration
Shortly after settling in at La Moncloa, Spain's new prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, welcomed the ship Aquarius after it was rejected by the Italian government. But a few months later, his immigration policy changed, writes Beatriz Becerra.
Spain drops opposition to EU limits on coal power
The Spanish government has begun winding down state aid for coal power, saying it now sides with a European Commission plan to prohibit so-called capacity payments for plants emitting more than 550g of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour.
Spain ‘mastergate’ university faces new degree giveaway claims
A Spanish university already accused of gifting degrees to high-profile politicians is also being probed for allegedly giving away diplomas to hundreds of Italian nationals, a court spokesman said Thursday (20 September). A court in Madrid is investigating whether around...
Morocco plays cat and mouse with Africans headed to Europe
African emigrants are defying a campaign by Morocco to keep them away from land and sea crossings to Spain, which has become the main entry point to Europe for migrants and refugees following crackdowns elsewhere.
Spain’s foreign minister in bid to improve nation’s standing in Catalan conflict
As the first anniversary of the declaration of independence of Catalonia approaches and tensions between Madrid and Barcelona increase, Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Josep Borrell met with senior European officials in Strasbourg to seek support.
No country offers ports to migrant ships, angering Italy
Italy demanded on Thursday (30 August) the EU find other ports to disembark migrants rescued in the Mediterranean, suggesting it would withhold support for the EU naval mission against people-smuggling unless other countries take in survivors.
Spain PM Sánchez calls for Venezuelan migrant quotas
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday (30 August) that Latin America should adopt a "quota system" to better manage the Venezuelan migrant crisis.
Italy to push EU for reform of ‘Operation Sophia’
Rome will today (30 August) ask the European Union to rotate the ports where migrants rescued at sea disembark, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta said, with France and Spain expected to top the list.
Spain defends hard line on North African border immigration
Spain will not tolerate violent attempts to enter the country, the government said on Wednesday (August 29), in response to criticism of its swift return of 116 illegal migrants to Morocco after they stormed the fence bordering one of its North African enclaves.
Tensions rise between Madrid and Catalonia as political year begins
The recent change of government in Spain has helped ease tensions but a lawsuit filed by Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont in Belgium against the Spanish judge overseeing his case risks stoking the fires again.