AGP Executive Report

Housing and Politics: Spain’s housing crisis is dominating the campaign ahead of the Nov. 29 snap election, with rents and scarce homes driving protests and shaping debate. A state poll puts the ruling Socialists ahead. Public Services: Madrid teachers have begun an indefinite strike over education conditions; protests at Complutense University left five detainees and two police officers injured. Ceuta and Morocco: King Felipe VI said Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla was non-negotiable during a high-profile visit, as migration tensions strain ties with Morocco. Tourism Costs: A planned 10% VAT on short-term holiday rentals from Dec. 1 could raise prices for visitors, while adding to pressure on Spain’s tourism-dependent hotspots. Economy: Inflation reached 4.9% in September, its highest level since 2023, with rising fuel prices adding to household costs. Trade Tensions: Washington has proposed fees on Spanish ships and import curbs over Spain’s port restrictions; Madrid says the measures fall under EU authority.

Education: Madrid’s indefinite teachers’ strike opened with large protests over pay, class sizes and funding; clashes at Complutense University left five people arrested and two officers injured. Trade Tensions: The US maritime regulator has urged Washington to impose a €180,000 fee on Spanish-flagged ships and restrict some imports, while Spain says any response falls under EU authority. Housing and Politics: Housing costs remain the top concern as Spain heads toward a November 29 snap election; the Socialists lead in a state poll. Cost of Living: Inflation hit 4.9% in September, its highest level since 2023, with rising fuel prices adding pressure. Ceuta and Morocco: King Felipe VI’s visit reaffirmed Spain’s claim to Ceuta and Melilla, amid strained relations with Morocco over migration and sovereignty. World Cup 2030: Netflix won Spanish and Andorran rights to all 104 matches, with some games, including Spain’s, also set for free-to-air viewing. Economic Shift: Non-tourism service exports climbed to €105 billion in 2025, or 7% of GDP, strengthening a growing pillar of Spain’s economy.

Education Protests: Five people were detained and two police officers injured as Madrid’s public-school strike began at Complutense University. The government’s regional delegate has called for an urgent investigation into police actions. Housing Crisis: Housing is Spain’s top concern, cited by 55.7% in the latest CIS poll—a record high. The crisis is fuelling protests ahead of the November 29 snap election and a planned general strike. Ceuta and Melilla: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia completed a landmark visit, with Felipe insisting Spain’s sovereignty is non-negotiable while calling for good faith with Morocco amid migration tensions. Prices: Spain’s inflation reached 4.9% as fuel costs climbed. World Cup: Netflix secured rights to stream all 104 matches of the 2030 tournament in Spain and Andorra; selected games, including Spain’s matches, are set to remain free to watch. Clean Energy: Work has begun on the first phase of Andalusia’s €1.2 billion green-hydrogen project, expected to become Europe’s largest when operational.

Ceuta and Morocco: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited Ceuta for the first royal trip there in 19 years, as the enclave deals with the fallout from July’s migrant surge. The king reaffirmed Spain’s sovereignty while calling for good neighbourly relations with Morocco. World Cup 2030: Netflix won exclusive rights to stream all 104 matches in Spain and Andorra. One game per matchday will be free on Netflix, while a free-to-air broadcaster will show Spain’s matches, both semi-finals and the final. Politics and housing: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election for November 29 amid growing housing protests. The death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, evicted from her Madrid home, has become a rallying point as housing affordability takes centre stage. Transport: A fire on the high-speed route disrupted Madrid–Barcelona services; Renfe warned of further delays. Football: Atlético Madrid beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League.

Ceuta Visit: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia drew cheering crowds on their first visit to the enclave since 2007, offering support after July’s migrant surge, when more than 70,000 people crossed from Morocco. The visit is diplomatically sensitive, as Rabat claims Ceuta and Melilla. World Cup Rights: Netflix has secured exclusive rights to all 104 matches of the 2030 World Cup in Spain and Andorra. One match per matchday will be free, while Spain’s matches, both semi-finals and the final will be available on free-to-air TV. Heat Toll: Spain recorded an estimated 5,807 heat-related deaths from mid-May to September, up 52% from last summer; nearly all were among people aged 65 and older. Housing and Politics: Protests over housing have intensified ahead of the November 29 election, with a general strike called for November 11. Miriam González Durántez has launched a centrist party promising a political alternative. Travel Disruption: A train fire on the Madrid-Barcelona route caused major disruption over the holiday weekend, with further delays warned.

Rail Disruption: Hundreds were evacuated after a major fire broke out on a Spanish high-speed train route. Food Safety: Spanish eggs were pulled from sale after a salmonella alert linked to 13 illnesses. Ceuta Tensions: Pedro Sánchez acknowledged Moroccan naval vessels entered Spanish waters during July’s mass migrant crossing, calling the incidents isolated while stressing the importance of ties with Rabat. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are visiting Ceuta for the first time as reigning monarchs, with the city clearing its last major migrant camp ahead of their arrival. Housing and Elections: Housing protests continue to shape Spain’s November 29 snap election, with a national strike called over the crisis. Voting Rights: The Supreme Court has kept overseas naturalised citizens from voting in the November election, rejecting an appeal over the so-called grandchildren’s law.

Housing and Politics: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election as housing protests intensify, with unions planning a general strike over rents and evictions. The death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal after her eviction has become a rallying point. Ceuta Migration: Police cleared the last major migrant camp ahead of King Felipe VI’s visit, moving residents to reception centres after July’s mass arrival put pressure on local services. Travel: Jet2 is ending flights and holiday packages to La Palma on October 30, six months after launching the route; affected customers can rebook or get a refund. Climate Policy: Spain urged the EU to maintain tough emissions cuts in its carbon market while expanding support to help industry decarbonise.

National Day and Election: Spain’s October 12 celebrations arrive 48 days before the November 29 election, turning the parade into a political showcase. Parties are emphasizing sharply different visions of national unity, immigration and the role of the monarchy. Housing Crisis: Housing remains a defining campaign issue after the death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal following her eviction. Protests have spread nationwide, unions have called a November general strike, and Sánchez is campaigning on housing as his government revives rent-control measures. Ceuta and Morocco: Police cleared Ceuta’s last major migrant camp ahead of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s visit, moving residents to reception centres as some fled to nearby hills. The operation follows July’s mass border crossing, while King Mohammed VI says the migration partnership with Spain has reached its limits. The PP is also challenging any possible transfer of Sahara airspace management to Morocco, citing security and economic concerns for the Canary Islands. Financial Rules: A new Spanish reform will require identity checks for all crypto ATM transactions and require online gambling operators to verify that payment accounts match players’ identities.

Ceuta Migration: Police cleared the enclave’s last major migrant camp ahead of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s visit, bussing people to reception centres. Migrants have alleged beatings by Spanish soldiers, and prosecutors are investigating abuse claims. Spain–Morocco Relations: King Mohammed VI says the migration cooperation model with Spain is outdated and calls for a new approach, rejecting pressure and “blackmail.” Housing and Election: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has launched his campaign for the November 29 snap election with housing at the centre, as protests continue after the death of pensioner Maricarmen Abascal, whose eviction became a symbol of the crisis. Unions have called a general strike for November 11. Crime: Spanish police say they dismantled an Ibiza sex-trafficking ring that lured 25 women with fake job offers; four suspects were arrested.

Housing and Politics: Pedro Sánchez launched his snap-election campaign as protests over Spain’s housing crisis grow after evicted pensioner Maricarmen Abascal’s death. Unions have called a general strike for November 11, and the government is reviving rent-cap measures ahead of the November 29 vote. Economy: The Bank of Spain raised its 2026 inflation forecast to 3.9%, citing higher energy costs and the Middle East conflict. Ceuta: Teen migrants are reportedly sleeping on the streets as the city awaits a response from Spain’s government. Football: Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior apologised after a straight red for pulling a Villarreal player’s hair; he could miss the October 25 Clásico against Barcelona. Public Safety: Police warned that scammers may use children’s real WhatsApp accounts to trick parents into sending money.

Housing Crisis: The death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal after her eviction has intensified nationwide protests over rents and housing shortages. Unions have called a general strike for November 11, ahead of the November 29 snap election. New centrist party Democracy21 made affordable housing a focus at its launch in Madrid. Football and Fan Safety: Rayo Vallecano’s La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao was abandoned after fans repeatedly threw objects onto the pitch in protest against club president Raúl Martín Presa. The stadium had faced safety concerns, and LaLiga must set a new date for the fixture. Ceuta Migrant Crisis: Teen migrants continue to sleep rough in Spain’s North African enclave as authorities struggle to provide shelter. Thousands of unaccompanied minors have arrived, and under Spanish law are entitled to care and education.

Housing and Politics: Protests have spread across Spain after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal’s eviction and death. Unions have called a housing-focused general strike for November 11, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is making the crisis central to the November 29 election campaign. Polls show conservative parties leading. Economic Outlook: The Bank of Spain raised its 2026 growth forecast to 2.6%, even as housing pressures remain a major concern. Spain–Morocco Relations: King Mohammed VI says migration cooperation with Spain has reached its limits and rejects what he called pressure or blackmail. He says Morocco will propose a new framework, days before Spain’s king and queen are due to visit Ceuta and Melilla.

Housing and Politics: Maricarmen Abascal’s death after eviction has fuelled protests across Spain, with thousands marching in Madrid. The housing crisis is central to the November 29 snap election; unions have called a November 11 general strike over housing and wages, while the government revives rent-cap measures. Industry: Two Spanish mining projects are among 46 selected by the EU to strengthen supplies of critical minerals. Football: Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone says players should be consulted on the expanded international break, warning that its travel and workload can undermine their form.

Housing Protests: Around 20,000 people marched in Madrid to honour Maricarmen Abascal, 87, who died in hospital two weeks after being evicted from her longtime home. Her case has become a rallying point in Spain’s housing crisis. Election Fight: The government has revived rejected housing decrees, including rent caps and a temporary eviction ban, but they still need parliamentary approval. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election for November 29. Strike Call: Spain’s major unions have called a nationwide general strike for November 11 over housing costs and wages. Floods: Two people have died and one is missing after flooding in Spain; Catalonia urged residents to avoid travel.

Housing Crisis: The death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, evicted from her Madrid home two weeks earlier, has intensified protests ahead of Spain’s November 29 snap election. Leaders traded blame as housing dominates the campaign; unions have called a November 11 general strike over housing and wages. Catalonia: Spain’s Supreme Court lifted the arrest warrant for separatist leader Carles Puigdemont after a Constitutional Court ruling cleared the way for his return, adding tension to the election race. Data Centres: The government plans tighter rules on energy and water use by new data centres, pressing ahead with a decree before the election. Canary Islands: Maritime rescue crews brought 125 people to safety from an overcrowded, distressed boat north-east of Lanzarote. Travel: The DGT expects 5.7 million long-distance journeys over the October 12 holiday weekend and has warned drivers to avoid peak travel times.

Housing and Election: María del Carmen Abascal, 87, has died after her eviction from her Madrid home sparked nationwide protests. Her case has become a flashpoint in Spain’s housing crisis, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election for November 29. Government Response: Sánchez’s government has revived housing decrees after lawmakers rejected earlier measures, including rent protections and loans of up to €50,000 for first-time buyers. Strike Action: Unions have called a nationwide general strike for November 11 over housing costs and evictions. Weather: Earlier torrential storms in Catalonia killed two people and caused flooding, adding to a week of severe weather alerts across Spain.