In today episode:

Álvaro García Ortiz, the State Attorney General, has denied leaking emails related to the tax fraud case of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's boyfriend. He stated that he routinely deletes content from his mobile phone for security and legal reasons, and that he has changed his phone six times in the last four years. The Supreme Court rejected the annulment of his appointment, and he has not responded to the judge or the accusations, but only to the State Advocacy, which is his defense. The judge is investigating whether García Ortiz and the provincial prosecutor of Madrid, Pilar Rodríguez, leaked the emails, and García Ortiz denies having facilitated the emails to anyone or having given orders to prosecutors regarding this matter. He also denies trying to harm Ayuso's boyfriend or hinder his agreement.

Additionally, a Spanish satellite, SpainSat NG I, was launched from Cape Canaveral. It is the most advanced secure communications satellite ever built in Europe and will provide secure communications for the Spanish Armed Forces and NATO. The satellite has a life of about 15 years and is designed to operate in the X, Ka, and UHF bands.

Lastly, a judge is investigating Íñigo Errejón for an alleged sexual assault. The judge has requested Sumar’s internal investigation, as well as information regarding interviews given by the accuser, Elisa Mouliaá. The judge has also called witnesses and requested analysis of the mobile phones of both Errejón and Mouliaá.

In todays episode:

Spain Today - News summary October 22 2024

This briefing doc summarizes three news articles from RTVE.es, providing insights into recent developments in Spanish politics and justice:

"Ayuso refuses to attend bilateral meeting with Sánchez this Friday"

"Samuel Luiz Trial: Everyone heard 'Fucking Faggot'"

"Podemos to consult its base on whether to support the budget"

Spain Today - Spanish News Summary for October 21, 2024

Main Topics:

Political and Judicial Tension: The week has been marked by a strong clash between the Government and the Popular Party (PP), with accusations of corruption and a growing number of judicial cases involving political figures.

Citizen protests: There have been demonstrations in the Canary Islands against mass tourism and in Madrid calling for the resignation of the government and the calling of elections.

Key Events:

Koldo case and the indictment of the Attorney General:

The UCO report on the "Koldo case" points to a possible "relevant and responsible role" of former minister José Luis Ábalos in a corruption plot. The PP has filed a complaint against the PSOE for illegal financing, bribery and influence peddling.

The Attorney General of the State, Álvaro García Ortiz, has been indicted for alleged disclosure of secrets in a case involving businessman Alberto González Amador, partner of the Madrid president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. The PP and Vox call for his resignation, while the government supports him.

Demonstrations in the Canary Islands against mass tourism:

Thousands of people demonstrated in the Canary Islands under the slogan "The Canary Islands have a limit." The protests focus on mass tourism, the impact on the housing market and the lack of action by the government to address these problems.

The protesters demand a tourism moratorium and measures to curb the growth of tourist apartments. They complain that the current tourism model is "destroying the Canarians."

Demonstration in Madrid calling for elections:

The Platform for Constitutional Spain called a demonstration in Madrid calling for the resignation of the government and the calling of general elections. The protest was supported by the PP and Vox.

The protesters criticize the government's management, the "Koldo case," corruption and the approval of measures that "undermine territorial equality."

Highlighted Statements:

"If a businessman goes to the headquarters of a party with bags full of money, that is obviously where the irregular financing is aimed" - Borja Sémper, PP spokesperson.

"All roads lead to Sánchez" - Alberto Núñez Feijóo, PP leader.

"The current tourism system does not build, it destroys, it destroys the Canaries" - Eugenio Reyes, spokesperson for Ben Magec.

"It is time to give voice to democracy and to the Spanish people" - Carmen Fúnez, Vice Secretary of Organization of the PP.

"There is no corruption that this Government does not do" - Santiago Abascal, president of Vox.

Analysis:

Political tension in Spain is at a high point. The judicialization of politics and accusations of corruption are eroding confidence in institutions.

Citizen protests reflect growing discontent with the government's management and concern about issues such as mass tourism and access to housing.

Political polarisation is intensifying, with the PP and Vox taking advantage of the situation to put pressure on the government and demand early elections.

Next Steps:

The aforementioned court cases are likely to continue to develop and generate political tensions.

The government will need to address the concerns of protesters in the Canary Islands and seek solutions to the problems of mass tourism.

The pressure to call general elections could increase in the coming months.

Key Highlights:

Politics:

Economy:

Feijóo acusa a Sánchez de ser el "señor 1" de la trama Koldo y este responde: "No todos somos iguales ante la corrupción"

Las reacciones políticas ante la imputación del fiscal general del Estado

Paloma Sánchez-Garnica, Planeta 2024: "Es la victoria de la verdad"

Spain Today - News in Spain - October 16, 2024

1. Nearly three million workers are in poverty in Spain:

- Labor poverty: Despite the rise in the Minimum Wage (SMI), labor reforms, and record employment figures, 2,957,000 workers in Spain live in poverty, which accounts for 13.7% of the employed population.

- Most affected sectors: Agriculture and domestic work are the hardest-hit sectors, with three out of ten workers living in poverty. Hospitality and construction follow.

- Vulnerability: Labor poverty particularly affects migrants, domestic workers, and large or single-parent families.

- Consequences: Households in labor poverty spend between 67% and 79% of their income on housing and basic services, with 55.3% forgoing essential healthcare services.

- Andalusia leads: Andalusia has the highest labor poverty rate (19.4%), followed by Extremadura and Ceuta.

- Recommendations: Oxfam Intermón urges broader social protection and a reform of the benefits system to improve job quality.

2. Government informs judge that CNI did not spy on Junqueras' lawyer with Pegasus:

- Espionage denial: The government informed the judge that the National Intelligence Center (CNI) did not spy on the phones of Andreu Van den Eynde, lawyer of Oriol Junqueras, nor on former MEP Jordi Solé, using Pegasus software.

- Doubts of the affected: Van den Eynde and Solé question the government's version and request a European Investigation Order to obtain information on the attacks on NSO Group (creator of Pegasus) and OSY Technologies.

- Background: The government confirmed that the CNI did spy on former Catalan president Pere Aragonès with Pegasus but claimed to have had Supreme Court authorization.

- Request to charge NSO: Van den Eynde asks the judge to charge NSO Group and interrogate its officials to clarify the Pegasus espionage case.

3. Political news today: Government faces a control session marked by the 'Koldo case':

- Control session in Congress: The government faces a control session overshadowed by the 'Koldo case,' which investigates alleged corruption.

- Opposition questions: PP and Vox will question the government about its actions against corruption, demanding explanations about the possible involvement of former minister José Luis Ábalos.

- Other topics: Housing issues, labor rights, and the censure of Minister Óscar Puente for his handling of railway transport will also be central topics.

- Political tension: The debate occurs in a context of high political tension, with accusations exchanged between the government and the opposition.

Spain Today - Spanish News Summary for October 15, 2024

1. Politics: Tension in ERC before the primaries

Marta Rovira, secretary general of ERC, has publicly criticized Oriol Junqueras, former president of the party and candidate for reelection, asking him to step aside to avoid a fracture in the formation. "I have learned a lot by your side, but every cycle has an end. We started this project together and we still have time to finish it together. I would like us to finish it together instead of separated and divided," said Rovira.

Rovira has questioned Junqueras' leadership, especially during the unilateral referendum of October 1, 2017, implying that he stepped aside.

She has also criticised the ERC pacts with the PSC in the Barcelona Provincial Council and the City Council of the Catalan capital, decisions that, according to her, were led by Junqueras and made her "suffer a lot".

Junqueras has already presented her candidacy, Militancia Decidim, which is against the current leadership of the party. The ERC congress to elect a new president will be held on 30 November.

2. Immigration: Two cayucos arrive in El Hierro with 164 migrants

Salvamento Marítimo has helped two cayucos with 164 migrants on board in waters near El Hierro. The migrants, among whom were 65 Pakistanis, eight women and three minors of sub-Saharan origin, were transferred to the port of La Restinga.

None of the migrants needed to be transferred to a health centre.

This event occurs in a context of an increase in the arrival of migrants to the Canary Islands. 3. Housing: Sumar criticises the rental bonus for young people

Sumar has warned that the rental bonus for young people announced by Pedro Sánchez "may aggravate the problem" of housing in Spain, considering it an "insufficient" measure that could benefit "rentiers".

The minority partner of the Government criticises that many autonomous communities have not managed all the aid from the current youth bonus, leaving many young people without the promised 250 euros per month.

Sumar proposes alternative measures such as forcing the autonomous communities to apply rental price control, modify the Urban Leasing Law to include seasonal rentals, temporarily prohibit the purchase and sale of homes that are not for residential use or sustainable rental, and intensify the construction of public housing.

Yolanda Díaz, second vice president of the Government, has called for "intervention" in the housing market to curb speculation.

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