Spain

30 June 2023; MEMO: Spain, on Friday, rejected the expansion of Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territories and condemned violence by settlers, calling Tel Aviv's decision contrary to international law and an impediment to peace, Anadolu Agency reports.

"The Government of Spain rejects the measures approved this week on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the West Bank and condemns the violence exercised by settlers," Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

21 June 2023; MEMO: As many as 39 people are feared dead after a ship sank in the waters between Morocco and Spain's Canary Islands on Wednesday, according to the Spanish migrant organisation, Walking Borders, Anadolu Agency reports.

The Spanish Coast Guard has confirmed one death, so far, according to Spanish news agency, EFE.

The ship was carrying some 60 people.

19 June 2023; MEMO: Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, and King Abdullah II of Jordan agreed on Monday to begin work towards forging a strategic partnership, setting a new course in bilateral relations, Anadolu Agency reports.

Meeting in Madrid, the leaders signed a joint declaration dedicated to enhancing bilateral ties and collaborating on international stability and prosperity.

17 June 2023; MEMO: Spanish charity Open Arms said it rescued 117 migrants on Saturday crowded onto a precarious wooden boat from Libya in the latest such perilous crossing over the Mediterranean sea, Reuters reports.

BARCELONA, June 17 (Reuters) - Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was given a last-minute consolation on Saturday when Barcelona's city council appointed a new Socialist mayor after a deal involving two rival parties.

Despite pro-independence parties appearing certain to run Spain's second city, Jaume Collboni, the Socialist candidate, became mayor after the far-left Barcelona en Comu of the outgoing mayor Ada Colau gave him its support in a move supported by the conservative People's Party.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialists received an unexpected boost from its main rival in next month’s national election on Saturday when his party won the mayor’s office of Barcelona following a tight vote at city hall.

Sánchez’s Socialists, or PSOE, took a beating in local and regional elections in May when the conservative Popular Party routed leftist mayors and regional chiefs in votes across the country.

MADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s snap general election call breaks apart the coalition he built with the far-left United We Can party, marking a line in the sand with a movement born from grassroots activism whose electoral fortunes have nosedived.

On Monday, Sánchez brought forward a national election expected in December to July 23 after the conservative Popular Party, or PP, and far-right Vox movement dramatically increased their vote share in Sunday’s local and regional elections.

MADRID, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday called a general election for the country on July 23.

Sanchez announced his decision from his official residence following the defeat of his Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) to the People's Party (PP) in the elections for 12 of Spain's regional governments and over 8,000 city halls on Sunday.

29 May 2023; AA: Spain has decisively swung toward the right after local elections Sunday resulted in right-wing parties winning power in most major cities and in several regional governments. 

The conservative Popular Party and far-right party Vox surged in popularity across the country as the liberal Ciudadanos party virtually disappeared.

The outcome was a blow for Spain’s left-wing parties, particularly since it occurred only months before general elections.

MADRID (AP) — Spain goes to the polls on Sunday for local and regional elections seen as a bellwether for a national vote in December, with the conservative Popular Party steadily gaining ground on the ruling Socialists in key regions.

Spain’s 17 regional governments, plus two autonomous cities, have enormous power and budgetary discretion over education, health, housing and policing. Twelve of them and the two cities will be contested on Sunday. Other key battles include the selection of mayors for the country’s two largest cities, Madrid and Barcelona.