Spain's transport sector is facing a serious crisis after Adif announced delays in opening a key high-speed route between Madrid and Malaga. Carriers Iryo and Ouigo have suspended ticket sales until the end of March, forcing Iryo to send 40 employees on forced leave. Simultaneously, the real estate market is recording record price increases, exceeding 20% in some regions, raising concerns about a new speculative bubble.

Rail Paralysis in Malaga

Adif's delays have halted high-speed train traffic until March 23, triggering a crisis for private carriers.

Housing Prices Near Peak

A 20% rise in real estate prices in January brings the market closer to the level of the speculative bubble from years ago.

Progress in Mercosur Agreement

Brazil ratifies the trade agreement with the EU, which is crucial for Spanish exports.

The situation in Spain's rail transport has deteriorated sharply following the decision by infrastructure manager Adif to postpone the opening date of the high-speed line section to Malaga. Renovation works will last at least until March 23, meaning the city will remain without direct rail connections during the crucial period leading up to Easter. Private carriers, such as the Italian Iryo and the French Ouigo, have responded with drastic measures. Iryo announced the implementation of an ERTE procedure for 40 employees at its Malaga base, while Ouigo has completely withdrawn its ticket offer for this route for the coming weeks. Simultaneously, Spain is grappling with mounting pressure in the real estate market. The latest data indicates that apartment prices rose by an average of 20% in January, approaching levels seen during the historic bubble of 2008. In four autonomous communities, increases exceeded the 10% threshold, drastically reducing housing availability for young citizens. The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced new support packages for rural transport and agriculture, aiming to mitigate the effects of inflation and provincial depopulation. Spain's high-speed AVE network is the second longest in the world after China's, and its development since the 1990s has fundamentally changed domestic travel dynamics, displacing short-haul flights on routes such as Madrid–Seville or Madrid–Barcelona. In the political sphere, the debate focuses on strategies to combat depopulation and territorial reforms. The People's Party (PP) declares increased funding for senior care, while the socialists of PSOE are pushing for territorial organization laws. International echoes also include the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies' approval of a trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, opening a new chapter in Ibero-American economic relations. „La suspensión forzosa de las operaciones hasta marzo nos obliga a tomar medidas de protección del empleo en Málaga.” (The forced suspension of operations until March compels us to take employment protection measures in Malaga.) — Iryo

Mentioned People

  • Pedro Sánchez — The Prime Minister of Spain announcing support for rural areas.
  • Sanae Takaichi — Japanese politician planning an aid program for the 'ice age generation'.