Fast-track legislation needed for the succession

Spanish governments have only had thirty-nine years to prepare for a royal succession or abdication, so it is hardly surprising that the government now needs to pass fast-track legislation covering every aspect of the handover.

Spain 2-0 Bolivia

A fairly routine 2-0 win for Spain against Bolivia in a World Cup ‘warm-up’ game, although no Real or Atlético players were involved in the encounter.

Long-term unemployment still rising

The latest Active Population Survey reveals that 60% of Spains six million unemployed have not worked for one year, and the proportion of people without work for three or more years still continues to grow.

Spanish regions top the EU unemployment list

Despite the rhetoric of regional and national governments that Spain is on the road to recovery, statistics issued from Brussels, and they have time enough on their hands to get it right, paint a somewhat contrasting picture.

11 migrants intercepted off Tarifa

Eleven sub-Saharan migrants have been intercepted about ten miles off Tarifa as they tried to make their way to mainland Spain in a small inflatable boat.

Thirteen killed on the roads over the weekend

Thirteen people were killed and six others were injured on the roads in Spain during the first Easter weekend, a figure which already represents half of the total number of deaths recorded during the entire Easter week in 2013.

Nine TDT channels to close down

A total of nine Terrestrial Digital Television channels are set to close down by May 6th 2014 as a result of a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that cancelled out the concession of additional channels to existing broadcasters on the grounds that the concession was made without a public bid and that new operators were therefore deprived of a chance to join the market.

Fishing agreement still not in effect

King Mohamed VI has reportedly still not signed the new fishing agreement between the EU and Morocco, despite ratification by Brussels and Rabat and publication of the document in the official gazettes of Morocco and the European Union.

Sales of homes continue to decline

Sales of homes in February fell by 27.6% when compared to the same month last year, with only 25,717 transactions. the largest declines were in Asturias, down 43,5% and La Rioja and Cantabria, down 42,2%.