- 23h ago
Spain's PSOE widens lead over PP to 7.9 points in July CIS poll despite Ábalos corruption sentencing
The governing Socialists reached 33% estimated vote share in the July CIS barometer, fielded days after former minister José Luis Ábalos received a 24-year prison sentence for corruption.
- 2d ago
Spain's PM brother handed 9-year public office ban in Badajoz prevarication case, court cites nepotism
A Spanish court sentenced the brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to nine years of disqualification from public office, triggering a wave of appeals and fierce political reactions. The ruling condemned the creation of a tailor-made job at a provincial council.
- 2d ago
Spanish prosecutors and state lawyers reject Zapatero's bid to exclude PP-led popular prosecution from jewellery investigation
The anti-corruption prosecutor and Spain's State Legal Services have both filed submissions opposing former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's request to remove the Partido Popular-led popular prosecution from a separate investigation into unexplained jewellery valued above 1.3 million euros found in his office.
- 5d ago
Óscar López secures PSOE nod, will challenge Ayuso for Madrid presidency in 2027
The Socialist minister and Madrid party chief gathered more than 2,092 endorsements on Saturday, eliminating the need for a primary vote. His lone challenger, activist Silvia López Quivira, failed to collect the required backing from PSOE members.
- Jul 9
Aliança Catalana surges to third place in Catalan poll, threatening governing majority
A new Catalan government poll shows the far-right Aliança Catalana leaping from two seats to 23-25, overtaking Junts and competing with ERC for second place, while the PSC-led coalition risks losing its majority.
- Jul 8
Trump threatens to cut Spain ties at NATO summit, then reverses after defence deals and 'important payment'
At the Ankara summit, the US President insulted Spain and ordered a trade cutoff, only to hail its 'generosity' hours later after defence contracts worth billions were signed.
- Jul 7
Zapatero asks judge and tax agency to suspend inspection in Plus Ultra case, cancels Lanzarote vacation
The former Spanish prime minister filed two writs on Tuesday to suspend a tax inspection he calls 'unilateral and capricious', while also scrapping his traditional summer trip to Lanzarote for the first time in over a decade.
- Jul 3
Spain's tax agency opens inspections on former PM Zapatero and family to interrupt prescription clock
Spain's Tax Agency has opened inspections on former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, his wife, daughters and a business associate for possible tax irregularities between 2021 and 2025, and requested suspension to avoid duplication with the ongoing criminal probe.
- Jul 2
Spain's tax agency joins prosecution of former PM Zapatero over €1.3m jewellery stash found in his office safe
The State Attorney's Office, acting for the Tax Agency, has joined the criminal case against José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, deepening the former prime minister's legal troubles over 80 pieces of high-end jewellery seized from his Madrid office.
- Jul 2
France's World Cup dreams crushed by Spain in 2-0 semi-final defeat, Zidane era beckons post-Deschamps
DALLAS, Texas -- France's quest for a third consecutive World Cup final ended in a 2-0 loss to Spain on Tuesday, a match marked by a costly early penalty, defensive injuries, and a technical superiority from La Roja that left Les Bleus without a single goal.
- Jun 30
PP summons Zapatero again as Senate corruption probes intensify, with July packed with testimonies
Spain's opposition Partido Popular announced a new round of Senate committee summonses, including former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, as it escalates investigations into alleged government corruption linked to state-backed company rescues.
- Jun 26
Spanish judge offers tax agency to join case against former PM Zapatero over €1.3m jewels
Judge José Luis Calama has offered Spain's Tax Agency the chance to appear as an injured party in the investigation of former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero over €1.3 million in jewels found in his office safe.
- Jun 24
Zapatero demands judge shield personal data after leak of 1,084 pages of chats and diaries
Former Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has asked the judge investigating him in the Plus Ultra case to adopt 'reinforced measures' after his private WhatsApp chats and calendars were leaked to the media.
- Jun 24
Spanish Congress demands Sánchez resign in unprecedented vote, but PM refuses and challenges Junts to formal censure
An absolute majority of Spain's lower house approved a non-binding motion urging Pedro Sánchez to step down or face a confidence vote, after Junts joined the right-wing opposition. The prime minister dismissed the vote as legally irrelevant and dared his critics to table a formal censure motion.
- Jun 19
Zapatero’s court defiance backfires: judge charges his secretary and daughters, PSOE discusses breaking ties
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s court appearance in the Plus Ultra case failed to halt the probe. Hours later, the judge charged his personal secretary and daughters, deepening the scandal and prompting the Socialist party to reconsider its support.
- Jun 17
Zapatero denies all corruption charges in first testimony before Spain's Audiencia Nacional but judge rules evidence stands
Former Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared before investigating judge José Luis Calama on Wednesday, rejecting accusations of influence peddling, money laundering, tax fraud and smuggling linked to the Plus Ultra airline bailout. In a ruling issued after the three-hour hearing, the judge said Zapatero's statement failed to undercut the evidence against him.
- Jun 17
Zapatero declares innocence as first ex-Spanish PM charged with money laundering and influence peddling
Former Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero told a Madrid court he is 'completely innocent' of influence peddling, money laundering and tax fraud charges linked to the 2021 Plus Ultra airline bailout. The judge imposed no precautionary measures.
- Jun 16
PP shifts early-election motion to Senate after Congress bureau veto; vote set for 24 June
After the Congress bureau blocked two amendments demanding early elections, the Popular Party has taken its motion to the Senate, where its majority will force a vote on 24 June, the same day Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces questions over corruption allegations.
- Jun 14
Former Spanish PM Zapatero faces tax fraud and smuggling charges over €1.3 million jewellery stash as PSOE’s legal ordeal deepens
The discovery of jewels valued at more than €1.3 million in a safe at José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s Madrid office has led the investigating judge to open an urgent separate case for tax fraud and smuggling against the former prime minister, compounding a growing judicial crisis for Pedro Sánchez’s PSOE.
- Jun 14
PSOE maintains 'absolute confidence' in Zapatero while denouncing judicial 'rush' to topple Sánchez government before summer
PSOE spokesperson Montse Mínguez said on Saturday the party has absolute confidence in former prime minister Zapatero, but condemned an accelerated judicial agenda designed to bring down Pedro Sánchez's government before summer.
