News, May 2011

May 27th, recent news round-up

Anger as Catalan police move on Real Democracy Now demonstrators in Barcelona ahead of Barça - Manchester Champions' League final - BBC; Ibiza hit by devastating forest fire - arsonist arrested; deputy president Rubalcaba chosen to succeed Zapatero as presidential candidate for next parliamentary election Due at latest 12th March '12 - Telegraph; 23rd:Socialists take expected thrashing in local elections -BBC; 21st: Pre-election 'day of reflection' ban defied by Real Democracy Now protesters across Spain - BBC. Police claim 16,000 attended 5 minute silence in Madrid at midnight before scream of rage against established political parties broke peace of night. Nationwide 60,000 protesters camped out - plans are made for extension of the campaign from Monday.

19th: Here are the key news items from this month: 5.2 scale earthquake kills 9 and injures many in Lorca, close to the Costa Blanca - BBC; election campaign 'hijacked' by largely young discontented people, who fear politicians have turned their backs on the real problems of Spain - under the name Real Democracy Now, mass demonstrations and camp-outs have occupied major city centre squares, such as Madrid's Puerta del Sol and Barcelona's Plaça Catalunya - BBC. Other news includes: investigation concludes that Spanair plane crash in Madrid was result of poor maintenance - technicians to blame. Catholic church gets 250 million €uros from 2009 taxes, after 34.7% of population requested a 0.7% donation via their tax return - which shows the extent of proximity of people to 'the Church'.

April 30th:Zapatero announces push ahead for euthanasia law in hope of gaining votes in May election; unemployment (EPA) rises to 4.9 million - BBC, inflation (AHCPI) 3.8%.

Earlier news headlines: click here.
Sources: a variety of news services, including El Mundo, Europa Press, TVE, TVC and IB3, plus links
We especially recommend checking out the Spain sections in The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In particular, note this month's New Europe series in The Guardian.