Author: Sandrine Morel
Spain’s social economy minister, Yolanda Diaz, at the Madrid Congress, May 30, 2024. JAVIER SORIANO / AFP Spain is considering a reduction in working hours to boost employee well-being and productivity. Labor minister Yolanda Diaz proposed reducing the current 40-hour workweek to 38.5 hours in 2024 and 37.5 hours in 2025 without cutting pay. Despite facing challenges from employers and political allies, the government aims to negotiate sector-by-sector reductions further down the line. The move could benefit millions of workers in various industries. Read more Subscribers only The four-day workweek is gaining ground in France Spain’s efforts to increase productivity…
The Palestinian Authority’s representative in Spain, Husni Abdel Wahed, in front of a reproduction of Picasso’s Guernica painted in the colors of the Palestinian flag, in Madrid, May 28, 2024.JUAN MEDINA / REUTERS A powerful symbol of war, Picasso’s Guernica, painted in the colors of the Palestinian flag, now adorns the walls of the newly recognized Palestinian embassy in Spain. Following Spain’s official recognition of the State of Palestine, Palestinian representative Husni Abdel Wahed held a press conference to highlight the significance of this historical moment. Abdel Wahed emphasized the importance of recognition as a step towards peace and freedom…
Demonstrators against Israeli intervention in Gaza, in Saint-Sébastien, Spain, March 17, 2024. ALVARO BARRIENTOS / AP Ireland, Norway, and Spain officially recognized the State of Palestine on May 22, following Sweden’s lead in 2014. This decision comes after the tragic events in Gaza and Israel, where over 35,000 casualties occurred. The European states aim to halt the cycle of violence and promote a two-state solution. The gesture signifies support for a lasting peace in the region and emphasizes mutual recognition between Israel and its Arab neighbors. This move aligns with the historic European stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, striving for…
Spanish far-right Vox party leader Santiago Abascal speaks during a rally organised by the Vox party ahead of the European elections, with various far-right leaders including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, in Madrid, Spain, May 19, 2024. ANA BELTRAN / REUTERS The Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid was filled with fervor as far-right leaders gathered for a rally hosted by the Spanish nationalist party Vox. Amid chants of “Li-ber-tad!” and calls against “wokism” and “globalism,” over 10,000 attendees voiced their support. The event, aimed at broadening participation ahead of the European elections, unified right-wing voices against perceived threats of socialism and globalism.…
Salvador Illa (center), former Spanish health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic, of the Catalan Parti Socialiste, after his victory in the Catalan regional elections, Barcelona, May 12, 2024. LLUIS GENE / AFP Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s conciliatory approach towards Catalan independence movements saw success in the recent Catalan regional elections. The Catalan Socialist Party (PSC), led by Salvador Illa, secured a strong lead with 28% of the vote and 42 seats, signaling a shift in the region’s political landscape. This victory comes as a result of Sanchez’s strategy of engaging with the pro-independence movement to build a stronger majority…
Carles Puigdemont at an election rally in Argelès-sur-Mer (Pyrénées-Orientales), May 8, 2024. JOAN MATEU / AP Join Carles Puigdemont on his journey to restoration as head of the Catalan government after the recent regional elections. Despite a lingering arrest warrant, Puigdemont remains a beacon for independence activists willing to make the pilgrimage to his rallies. With the promise of amnesty on the horizon, his return to Catalonia seems imminent. As Puigdemont rallies his supporters in France, political tensions rise back home in Catalonia. Recent polls suggest a close race between the pro-independence parties and the Socialists, with the possibility of…