News
Regional elections on June 19
Andalucía goes to the polls on Sunday , June 19 , to elect a new regional government , the Junta de Andalucía . The region ’ s president , Juan Manuel Moreno called the election , five months early , in late April .
In the last regional vote during December 2018 , the socialists lost control of Andalucía after 36 years in power . Since then , a coalition made up of the centre-right parties Partido Popular ( PP ) and Ciudadanos has run the region . The major shock result of the last vote , however , was the success of the extreme right party Vox which won seats for 12 Deputies , the first time it had been represented in an autonomous parliament .
A regional election in Andalucía is often regarded as an indicator of what could happen in the next general election , so the political eyes of Spain will this month be concentrated on our region for clues . There are at least 25 parties , major and minor , vying for votes this month with campaigning officially starting on June 3 .
President Moreno has expressed the desire for the PP to govern the region alone , but early predictions suggest he will not obtain the necessary absolute majority and will have to try to form another coalition to retain power . Vox would appear to be the only group likely to enjoy an increased share of the vote .
However , as Soltalk went to press , the first candidate on Vox ’ list of candidates has been challenged by councillors in Salobreña where she claimed to be resident . They say it “ cannot be proved ” that Macarena Olana lives at the address and she was given 15 days to clarify her registration in the town .
Foreign residents in Spain cannot vote in the country ’ s regional elections .
Moroccan borders re-open
Spain relaxed its controls at its borders with Morocco in the middle of May . The land borders with the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla were closed in March 2000 and Madrid said that the decision to open them had been taken following successful cooperation between the authorities of the two countries .
The gates were finally opened just after 11.00pm on May 16 , allowing the free passage of dozens of vehicles and pedestrians in both directions .
The Ministry of the Interior said that , initially , only citizens and residents of the European Union , as well as others authorised to travel in the Schengen area , would be allowed freedom to cross the border . It added that legally recognised cross-border workers will also be able to enter the Spanish territory from May 31 , but emphasised that health requirements established by the Minstry of Health would be observed .
Relations between Spain and Morocco have thawed considerably this year after Madrid changed its stance on neutrality and backed Rabat ’ s autonomy plan for Western Sahara . The two states have now committed to strengthening co-operation on controlling immigration .
Inflation rises
Spain ’ s inflation rate of 8.3 per cent in April has prompted calls for action from the Bank of Spain . Its annual report for 2021 suggests that an income plan is required to mitigate the risk , that the lower rates of IVA ( VAT ) should be raised , and that pensions be disconnected from the Consumer Price Index . The Bank also argues that fuel discounts benefit mainly high-income earners , and should be refocused on more vulnerable groups .
Fraudsters caught
Seven people in Andalucía are amongst 13 detained nationwide on suspicion of a fraud totalling almost € 445,000 . Victims responded to fake emails asking them to confirm their bank details , so enabling the thieves to plunder their accounts . The cash was then moved through other bank accounts with on-line purchases made from companies based outside Spain .
Russian assets
The authorities in Spain are reported to have identified houses , businesses and at least one luxury yacht belonging to 15 Russian oligarchs who are named on the EU sanctions list . Money laundering experts said that such assets were immediately on the move after the Russian invasion in February . In April , Madrid confirmed it had frozen 12 funds and bank accounts linked to five people on the sanctions list .
Train crash
A train driver died when a cargo train collided with a passenger service near Barcelona on May 16 . The cargo train is reported to have derailed and struck the front of the commuter train as it left Sant Boi station , 15 kilometres north of the city . Around 100 people were also injured in the accident .
Spanish support
Spain would support Ukraine ’ s admission to the EU . Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said last month it was “ time for unity ” and time to show “ clear support ” for a “ free , sovereign and democratic Ukraine .” He was amongst representatives from 46 countries in Turin who called for an international summit in the near future .
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