Madrid Demonstration Sees 170,000 Protest Against Controversial Amnesty Deal For Catalonia’s Separatists

 

Reuters: Biggest protest in Spain against Catalan amnesty law draws 170000 

MADRID (Reuters) -About 170,000 people marched through Madrid on Saturday in the largest protest yet against an amnesty law which Spain's Socialists agreed over Catalonia's 2017 separatist bid in order to form a government. 

The demonstration, the latest in a series of protests in cities across the country against the amnesty, took place two days after Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez won a four-year term with the backing of Catalan and Basque nationalist parties in return for agreeing to the law. 

Protesters, many waving Spanish flags and holding signs that read "Sanchez traitor" and "Don't sell Spain", demonstrated against the law which four judicial associations, opposition political parties and business leaders said threatens the rule of law and the separation of powers. 

Authorities put the number of demonstrators at 170,000.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Elections have consequences, and for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez he now has what he wants .... Spain’s Pedro Sanchez secures new term, ending four-month deadlock (CNN). 

Madrid Demonstration Sees 170,000 Protest Against Controversial Amnesty Deal For Catalonia’s Separatists 

 Thousands protest Spain's Catalan separatist amnesty law -- AFP

Thousands rally in Madrid against controversial amnesty deal for Catalonia’s separatists -- Euronews  

Madrid demonstration sees 170,000 vent fury against amnesty for Catalan separatists -- The Telegraph 

Rally held in Madrid against Catalan amnesty after Sánchez sworn in as Spanish PM -- The Guardian 

Large protests against Catalan amnesty deal in Madrid after PM sworn in -- Al Jazeera

No Clear Victor In Spanish Election

Politico: Spanish elections: Sánchez holds off right surge  

The center-right Popular Party won the most votes but does not appear to have a path to form a government. 

MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is poised to remain prime minister as a result of Sunday’s inconclusive national elections in which the center-right Popular Party won the most votes but was left with no clear path to form a government. 

As expected, none of Spain’s major parties secured a governing majority. 

With 99 percent of the votes tallied, the Popular Party had 136 seats, the Socialists 122, the far-right Vox 33, and the left-wing Sumar 31. 

Prior to the vote, conservative leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo indicated that he would be willing to form a coalition government with Vox, but both parties fell short of the 176 seats needed to control the Spanish parliament.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Expect weeks of negotiations to form a coalition government. 

No Clear Victor In Spanish Election  

Spain election 2023: live results -- The Guardian  

Spain's conservatives miss out on all-out victory as left celebrates -- BBC  

Spain at risk of political gridlock after conservative win falls short of toppling PM Sánchez -- AP  

Spanish election's nail-biting finish makes hung parliament likely -- Reuters  

Spain elections: No party wins the needed majority to form government -- France 24  

Spain election: Conservatives win but fall short of majority -- DW 

Spain’s rightwing parties fail to gain expected poll lead in election -- The Guardian 

Spain elections: no party wins enough seats to establish government -- UPI  

No clear victor in Spanish election as results defy predictions -- CNN

Spain Goes To The Polls Tomorrow

 

Al Jazeera: Spain heads for the polls as far right poised to make gains  

Final opinion polls tip right-wing Popular Party to win most seats, but without securing working parliamentary majority. 

Voters in Spain are headed for the polls on Sunday in an election that could make the country the latest European Union member to swing to the populist right, a shift that would represent a major upheaval after five years under a left-wing government. 

Final opinion polls, that were published on Monday, tipped the right-wing Popular Party (PP) to win the most seats but without securing a working parliamentary majority. 

 Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I have a good friend who lives in Alicante as well as a cousin in Marbella. They both believe Socialist Party leader Pedro Sánchez and his governing coalition will be defeated tomorrow. 

Spain Goes To The Polls Tomorrow  

Polarised Spain eyes the hard-right ahead of election -- BBC  

Spanish PM Sanchez pins snap election hopes on ‘fear of far right’ -- France 24  

Spanish general election tipped to put the far right back in office for the first time since Franco -- Euronews 

Spanish elections: Will Sanchez's political gamble pay off? -- DW  

Who are the candidates in Spain's general election? -- RTE

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Calls A Snap General Election After Losing Key Local And Regional Elections

 

The Guardian: Spain’s PM calls snap election after opposition triumphs in local polls  

Pedro Sánchez says Spaniards need to clarify what they want after gains by conservative and far-right parties 

Spain’s socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has responded to the triumph of the rightwing opposition in Sunday’s regional and municipal elections by calling a risky snap general election that will determine his political future and that of his minority coalition government. 

The conservative People’s party (PP) – which used the votes as a de facto referendum on Sánchez’s coalition with the far-left, anti-austerity Unidas Podemos alliance – scored an emphatic win, far exceeding expectations and building on its momentum in the polls. 

As well as securing absolute majorities in the Madrid region and the city council, it took regions including Aragón, Valencia and the Balearic islands from the prime minister’s Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE).  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The election will be held on July 23. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Calls A Snap General Election After Losing Key Local And Regional Elections  

Spanish prime minister calls early general election after battering in regional vote -- AP  

Spain government calls snap election after regional ballot rout -- Reuters  

Spanish prime minister calls for early general election -- CNBC 

Spanish PM Sánchez calls snap general election after disastrous local polls -- Politico

Spanish PM, US Embassy, And Five Other Sites Targeted By Letter Bombs In Spain

 

BBC: Spain letter bombs: Spanish PM targeted amid spate of explosive packages 

Spain has stepped up security after revealing a number of letter bombs have been sent to high-profile targets, including the prime minister. 

On Wednesday, an employee of the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid was lightly injured when a similar device exploded. 

Officials say the defence minister was among the other targets. Another device was also sent to the US embassy. 

It is thought the bombs could be linked to Spain's support for Ukraine, but no-one has yet claimed to have sent them. Russia - which invaded Ukraine in February - has condemned any "terrorist" activity, saying such threats or acts were "totally reprehensible".  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Ukraine is blaming Russia for these attacks .... Ukraine suggests Russia is to blame for letter bombs sent to Spanish PM and US consulate in Madrid (Daily Mail). More here .... Russian link suspected in Spanish letter bomb attacks (Politico).  

Update: Other countries are being impacted .... Threats Reported in New Countries After Spain Letter Bomb (Daily Beast). 

Spanish PM, US Embassy, And Five Other Sites Targeted By Letter Bombs In Spain  

Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez was sent a letter bomb -- Politico  

Spate of letter bombs in Spain targets embassies, high-profile officials -- Reuters  

Spain: numerous devices found after Ukrainian Embassy blast -- AP  

Spain to boost security after string of letter bombs -- France 24  

Spain tightens security at government buildings after letter bombs found -- The Guardian  

US embassy, five other sites targeted by letter bombs in Spain -- Al Jazeera  

Spain boosts security as prime minister and US embassy targeted amid series of letter bombs -- CNN  

Numerous letter bombs detected in Spain, including to PM's office as country steps up security -- ABC News Australia

The Mobile Phones Of Spain's Prime Minister And Defence Minister Targeted In Pegasus Spyware Attack

Spain said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's phone was tapped in May 2021 (Reuters)  

ABC News Australia: Spain's Prime Minister and Defence Minister targeted in Pegasus spyware attack 

Mobile phones belonging to Spain's Prime Minister and Defence Minister were infected with Pegasus spyware last year, Spanish officials have said. 

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's mobile phone was breached twice in May 2021, and Defence Minister Margarita Robles' device was targeted once a month later, Presidency Minister Felix Bolanos said. 

He said the breaches resulted in a significant amount of data being obtained, and that reports detailing the hacking had been transferred to Spain's National Court for further investigation. 

"We have no doubt that this is an illicit, unauthorised intervention," Mr Bolanos said. "It comes from outside state organisms and it didn't have judicial authorisation."  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This revelation follows reports last month that Catalan political leaders had their mobile phones compromised .... Pegasus spyware targets top Catalan politicians and activists (Politico.eu). 

The Mobile Phones Of Spain's Prime Minister And Defence Minister Targeted In Pegasus Spyware Attack   

Spanish prime minister's mobile phone infected by Pegasus spyware, government says -- Reuters  

Spain: 2021 spyware attack targeted prime minister's phone -- AP

 Spain: Israeli spyware used to infect phones of PM, defense minister -- Times of Israel  

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez had phone hacked with Pegasus spyware -- Politico.eu  

Pegasus: Spain says prime minister's phone tapped by Israeli spyware -- Middle East Eye

Another Night Of Protests In Barcelona Over The Nine-Month Sentence Of Pablo Hasel

 

Reuters: Protesters clash with Spanish police in fresh unrest over jailed rapper 

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Protesters threw bottles, stones and rubbish containers at police in Barcelona on Sunday in a sixth night of clashes after a rapper was jailed for glorifying terrorism and insulting royalty in his songs. 

The nine-month sentence of Pablo Hasel, known for his virulently anti-establishment raps, has prompted debate over freedom of expression in Spain and sparked protests that have at times turned violent. 

“You have taught us that being peaceful is useless,” read a banner carried by protesters. 

Five people were arrested for robbing shops and a police officer was injured, according to a Twitter post by the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan regional police force. About 1,000 demonstrators gathered in the city, local police said. 

Read more .... 

 More News On The Protests In Barcelona Over The Nine-Month Sentence Of Pablo Hasel 

Barcelona sees sixth night of protests for jailed rapper -- AP

Pablo Hasél: Rapper's arrest triggers widespread protests and debate over free speech in Spain -- NBC 

Barcelona burns once again on FIFTH night of protests over rapper’s imprisonment for insulting Spanish king (VIDEOS) -- RT 

Violent protests over rapper's arrest and accusations of police brutality rock Catalonia for fifth day -- CNN 

Rapper's arrest the last straw for Spain's young protesters -- France 24 

Barcelona reels from looting after arrest of rapper Pablo Hasél -- The Times

Spain's Former King Juan Carlos Flees The Country Over $100m Corruption Scandal

Daily Mail: Spain's former King Juan Carlos, 82, flees the country into 'forced exile' as $100m corruption scandal surrounding him threatens to undermine the Monarchy

* Spain's former monarch, King Juan Carlos I, says he is leaving Spain
* It comes after corruption allegations about him had surfaced in recent weeks
* Spain's PM recently said he found developments about Juan Carlos 'disturbing'

Spain's former monarch, King Juan Carlos I, has announced he is leaving Spain to live in another country amid a financial scandal.

Former king Juan Carlos told his son, King Felipe, that he decided to leave Spain, the royal house said in a statement on Monday.

On Monday night it emerged the former King of Spain had already left the country.

Well-placed sources close to the Spanish Royal Household confirmed he was no longer in Spain.

It comes on the back of a series of scandals involving the long-serving monarch, who abdicated in June 2014 after four decades on the throne.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Apparently he has already left Spain .... Former king Juan Carlos has already left Spain, El Mundo says (Reuters).

More News On Spain's Former King Juan Carlos Fleeing The Country Over A $100m Corruption Scandal

Spain's embattled ex-King Juan Carlos leaves country -- BBC
Spain's scandal-hit former king Juan Carlos to go into exile -- The Guardian
Spain's ex-king Juan Carlos leaves country amid suspicions of bribery -- DW
Former King Of Spain Is Leaving Country Amid Investigations Into Financial Dealings -- NPR
Juan Carlos I, Spain's former king, has left the country amid scrutiny of alleged financial dealings -- CNN

Spanish Election Results: Deadlock Remains With No Party Having A Majority Of Seats

BBC: Spanish elections: Socialists lead amid right-wing surge

The governing Socialist Party in Spain looks set to win the most seats in the general election, but fall short of a majority with almost all results in.

With more than 85% of the votes counted, the opposition conservative Popular Party follows in second place, and the far-right Vox party appears to have heavily increased its vote share.

Right-wing parties have the most votes combined, though no majority.

Spain has not had a stable government since 2015.

This was the country's fourth election in as many years.

Voter turnout at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) was 56.8%, almost four points lower than at the last general election in April.

Spanish politics has become increasingly fragmented in recent years with the emergence of new parties.

Read more ....

More News On The Spanish Election

Spanish election 2019: full results -- The Guardian
Spanish election: deadlock remains as centre left tops poll and far right surges – live updates -- The Guardian
The Latest: Spanish conservative party seeks end to deadlock -- AP
Socialists win Spanish election but far-right party surges -- AP
Spain's far right doubles seats in hung parliament -- Reuters
No clear majority in Spain as Socialists lead vote, far-right Vox surges -- France 24
Spain elections: Socialists lead, while far-right Vox surges -- DW
Spain's Ciudadanos says 'no excuses' for bad result -- Reuters
Spain's Sanchez will call other parties to break political deadlock -- Reuters
Vox says wants to build 'patriotic alternative' in Spain -- Reuters

For The Second Time In 6 Months Spain Heads To The Polls

Reuters: Divided and election-weary, Spain heads to the polls

A bitterly divided Spain goes to the polls on Sunday for its second parliamentary election in just over six months, likely to deliver an even more fragmented parliament with no clear winner and a sizeable showing by the far-right.

Spain has been struggling to put stable governments together since 2015, when new parties emerged from the financial crisis following decades during which power oscillated between the Socialists and the conservative People’s Party (PP).

Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called this election - the fourth in four years - after his Socialist Party won a ballot in April but failed to form a government, betting that a new vote would strengthen his hand.

Read more ....

More News On Spain's Election Tomorrow

Spanish election: Polls to open for fourth vote in four years -- BBC
Spain tries to solve political morass with 2nd election of the year -- CBC/AP
More uncertainty expected as divided Spain heads to polls again -- The Age
Spain repeats election amid renewed Catalan independence bid -- RT

Protests Are Hitting The World

Riot police fire tear gas to disperse demonstrators during a protest targeting the government over an economic crisis, near the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon October 18, 2019. Reuters

The National: Protests around the world: violent clashes hit Chile, Hong Kong, Lebanon and Barcelona

Here's the latest in each of the country's affected by unrest.

Protests have broken out in several countries across the world, with citizens unhappy for different reasons. Some are protesting over economic conditions, others are protesting over tax hikes and elsewhere protests are breaking out over controversial laws or prison sentences imposed by governments.

Here's the latest in each of the country's affected by violent clashes and unrest.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The world is definitely going through an interesting phase right now. I have lived long enough to see how much the standard of life for the world has improved in the past few decades. But this has generated even more higher expectations, and frustration when they are not met. Throw in authoritarian governments, elites ignoring public opinion, and a world that is strongly influenced by social media .... we now have the ingredients for unrest that can be quickly organized and targeted. And here is an easy prediction .... it is going to get worse. And if we are faced with a serious global recession .... I can see half the world exploding just like that (snapping my fingers).

Spain's Socialist Party Hails Victory After Historic Gains By the far-right

The Guardian: Spanish election: socialists win amid far-right gains

PSOE wins 123 seats on 75% turnout and is likely to seek coalition to reach 176-seat target for working majority

Spain’s ruling socialists won the most votes but fell short of a majority in Sunday’s snap general election, a contest marked by the breakthrough of the far-right Vox party and a disastrous performance by the country’s traditional conservative party.

Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) won 123 seats, the conservative People’s party (PP) 66, the centre-right Citizens party 57, the anti-austerity Unidas Podemos and its allies 42, and Vox 24.

Despite it being the country’s third general election in under four years, turnout was 75.8% – well up on the 66.5% two years ago.

Read more ....

More News On Spain's Election

Spanish general election 2019: full results -- The Guardian
Socialists win Spain election, far-right emerges as player -- AP
Spain's Socialists on course to regain power but talks await -- Reuters
Spain election: Socialists win amid far-right breakthrough -- BBC
Spanish election: Socialists ahead without a majority as far-right party makes gains -- ABC News Online
Spain: Pedro Sanchez's Socialists win election but miss majority -- DW
Socialists win Spain election; far-right party to make debut in parliament -- FOX News
How the far right gained a foothold in Spain -- Sam Jones, The Guardian
Spain's general election: What just happened? -- Katya Adler, BBC

Spain Goes To The Polls To Elect A New Government This Sunday

Time: Spain Is Going to the Polls for the Third Time in Four Years. Here's What to Know

Spain goes to the polls Sunday for its third general election in four years, as socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tries to break the political deadlock that has gripped his country and left him unable to govern.

Over the last five years, the rise of new political forces – including the far-right – and a constitutional crisis over Catalan leaders‘ attempt to secede unilaterally from Spain, have transformed the political landscape, upending the two-party system in which the leftwing Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) and rightwing Popular Party (PP) have ruled since the 1980s. With some 30% of voters still undecided, Spain’s political future has rarely been so uncertain.

Here’s what to know about the Spanish elections:

Read more ....

More News On Spain Going To The Polls To Elect A New Government This Sunday

AP Explains: Polarized and undecided, Spain heads to polls -- AP
All to play for as polarized Spain votes after tense campaign -- Reuters
Spain undecided and divided ahead of Sunday's election -- EU Observer
Spain prepares for general election amid increasing political instability -- CNN
In Spain's Election, Far Right Could Win First Seats In Parliament In Decades -- NPR
Explainer: Why Spain's Election is So Open -- VOA
5 things to know about Spain’s snap elections -- VOX

Spain Goes To The Polls To Elect A New Government On April 28

DW: Spain to hold early election on April 28

Spain's government has called early elections to be held in April. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the Socialist party had governed for nearly eight months after a no-confidence vote ousted former PM Mariano Rajoy.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Friday that Spain will hold early general elections on April 28. The move comes after the socialist PSOE government's budget legislation was defeated in parliament.

"Spain needs to keep advancing, progressing with tolerance, respect, moderation and common sense," Sanchez told Spaniards in a television address. "I have proposed to dissolve parliament and call elections for April 28," the prime minister said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: My friends in Spain are telling me that the issues that will dominate this election are Catalonia and immigration.

More News On Spain Going To The Polls On April 28

After failed budget, Spain calls early election for April 28 -- AP
Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez calls general election for April 28 -- France 24
Political deadlock beckons as Spain's PM calls April election -- Reuters
Spain PM Sánchez sets snap election for April -- BBC
Spain's PM calls snap general election for 28 April -- Guardian
Spain calls snap elections for April 28 -- CNN
Spain: Will a snap election spell the end for Pedro Sanchez? -- Santiago Saez, DW

VOX Party Breakthrough In The Spanish Province Of Andalucia Sends Shockwaves Through Spanish Politics

Sam Jones, The Guardian: Far right breakthrough in Andalucía send shockwave through Spanish politics

The anti-immigration, anti-feminist Vox party has gained a foothold unseen since Franco’s death. Voters reveal what drove them to extremes…

Los Remedios doesn’t have the feel of a political frontline. Rowers glide along the green waters of the Guadalquivir, a huge Christmas tree sits beneath a warm December sky and the nearby churrería is already bedecked with artificial poinsettias.

Beneath the Spanish flags that stripe many balconies, residents and the odd labrador stroll down citrus-tree-lined boulevards, past designer shops and a tobacconist’s with bottles of Moët in its window.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I am familiar with this part of Spain, and I was surprised by this vote (I have friends who live in Marbella). To me this is just another sign on how European mainstream political parties have lost touch with a large part of the population who definitely feel sidelined and ignored.

Spain's Prime Minister Losses Confidence Vote. Socialists Take Power

CNN: Rajoy forced out as Spain's Prime Minister in confidence vote

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was toppled by a corruption scandal Friday, becoming the first leader in Spain's modern democracy to lose a vote of no confidence in Parliament.

The demise of Rajoy -- one of Europe's longest-serving political leaders -- paves the way for Pedro Sánchez, the leader of the main opposition socialist party, to become Prime Minister.

Friday's vote in Madrid was the culmination of years of corruption allegations against Rajoy's Popular Party. The scandal came to a head last week when a court convicted his former aides of running slush funds to help finance Popular Party election campaigns, prompting Sánchez to file the confidence motion.

Read more ....

More News On Spain's Prime Minister Losing A Confidence Vote

Mariano Rajoy: Spanish PM forced out of office -- BBC
Socialist opposition leader to take over Spain’s new govt -- AP
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy loses no-confidence vote -- DW
Spain’s leader Rajoy ousted in no-confidence vote with socialist party gaining power -- CNBC
Mariano Rajoy ousted as Spain's prime minister -- The Guardian
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy voted out of office -- ABC News Online
Sanchez takes charge in Spain as tarnished Rajoy departs -- Reuters
Spain's Prime Minister Loses Confidence Vote, Ushering In Socialists -- NPR
Pedro Sanchez: the stubborn Spanish Socialist who became prime minister -- Reuters
Who is Pedro Sanchez, Spain's prime minister-designate? -- DW

Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy Is Expected To Be Defeated In A No-Confidence Vote On Friday. Socialists Prepare For Power

Daily Mail: Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy 'will be forced from office' on FRIDAY in humiliating no-confidence motion sparked by corruption scandal

* Vote called after Rajoy's party was caught taking bribes over public contracts
* Pedro Sanchez, leader of the opposition, warned Prime Minister 'your time is up'
* It now appears Sanchez has secured more than 176 votes needed to unseat Rajoy
* Fatal blow came when Basque Nationalist Party turned on its former ally

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is expected to be kicked out of office when a no-confidence vote takes place on Friday.

Pedro Sanchez, leader of the Socialist opposition, called the vote after Rajoy's conservative party was caught taking kickbacks in return for awarding public contracts.

A Basque nationalist party's decisive announcement on Thursday that it would vote in favour of the no-confidence motion has spelled the almost certain end of Prime Minister Rajoy's eight-year rule.

The Basque party's support gives Sanchez 180 votes in parliament to become prime minister, more than the absolute majority of 176 votes he needs to unseat Rajoy.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The corruption scandal engulfing Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy's party has finally caught up to all of them. Expect a new Spanish government in the coming days.

More News On Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy Facing A No-Confidence Vote On Friday

Spain’s gov’t poised to fall, Socialists prepare for power -- AP
Spanish PM looks set to go as Basque party says will vote against him -- Reuters
Spain PM Mariano Rajoy faces defeat in Friday no-confidence vote -- BBC
Rajoy likely to be forced out as Spain PM as Basque party turns against him -- The Guardian
Opposition secures enough votes to topple Spain's Rajoy -- Reuters
Spain no-confidence vote: Mariano Rajoy and Pedro Sanchez trade barbs in parliament -- DW
Rajoy to be ousted as Spain’s prime minister -- Politico.eu
Basque nationalists 'set to vote against' Spanish PM Rajoy and force him out -- Euronews
AP Explains: ‘Zombies’ vs ‘Frankenstein’ in Spanish politics -- AP

Are 'Arson Terrorists' Responsible For The Massive Fires In Spain And Portugal?

Daily Mail: Driving through the killer inferno: Terrifying moment motorist escapes wildfires blamed on 'terrorist arsonists' that have claimed dozens of lives in Portugal and Spain

* Authorities in Portugal said that at least 35 people died and dozens were injured by wildfires in the country
* The government in Portugal declared a state of emergency for regions north of the Tajo river during the fires
* In the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, four people have died and thousands have been evacuated
* Authorities in both countries said that the strong winds from Hurricane Ophelia have fanned the wildfires
* Investigators in both countries have questioned if the fires were started by human and criminal causes

A man who drove through raging wildfires in Portugal says luck was on his side after he filmed himself escaping the deadly blazes ravaging the region.

Wildfires have killed at least 39 people across Portugal and Spain as hundreds of blazes were fanned by strong winds caused by a hurricane, authorities said on Monday.

Thirty-five people - including a one-month-old baby - in Portugal have died and dozens have been injured, most of them firefighters, during fires raging in central and northern areas of the country.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: There is no proof that I have seen or read that people are running around starting fires. What I see are huge fires, helped along by high winds.

More News On Today's Massive Fires In Spain And Portugal

Wildfires kill at least 35 in Portugal and Spain -- Reuters
Portugal wildfires kill at least 35; 4 dead in Spain -- AP
Deadly Fires Sweep Portugal and Northern Spain -- New York Times
Portugal and Spain wildfires: Dozens dead and injured -- BBC
At least 36 dead from wildfires raging in Portugal, Spain -- UPI
Portugal and Spain wildfires kill at least 35 people -- CNN
Deadly fires rage in Portugal, Spain, ex-Hurricane Ophelia fans flames -- DW
At Least 34 Killed in Wildfires Ravaging Portugal, Spain -- Voice of America

Conservatives Win In Spain's Elections, But No Majority Government

Reuters: Spanish vote delivers more uncertainty for Europe after Brexit

Spanish elections delivered a hung parliament for the second time in six months on Sunday, adding to political uncertainty in Europe after last week's shock Brexit vote and piling intense pressure on Spain's warring politicians to form a government.

Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's center-right People's Party (PP) again emerged with the single biggest bloc of seats but fell short of a majority, leaving the euro zone's fourth-largest economy at risk of another lengthy political stalemate or even of a third general election.

The PP was the only major party to increase its share of seats from December's inconclusive poll, sapping the power of a wave of new parties which had fed on years of deep recession and public anger over corruption scandals within the major parties.

"We have won the elections," Rajoy told hundreds of cheering supporters outside PP headquarters in Madrid late on Sunday.

"We claim our right to govern."

The PP won 137 seats, up from 123 in December but short of the 176 needed for an outright majority.

Read more ....

More News On Spain's Election

Election in Spain Gives Conservatives More Seats but No Mandate -- New York Times
Spanish election: PP wins most seats but deadlock remains -- BBC
Spain's conservatives win general election -- DW
Rajoy Wins as Spain Cleaves to Establishment Amid Brexit Mayhem -- Bloomberg
New Spain Elections Fail to Resolve Political Standoff -- VOA
Spain's conservatives win general election, but no majority government -- UPI
Spain's Conservative PP wins rerun election, Podemos upset by surprisingly low results -- RT
Spain election: Conservatives win, but without majority -- Al Jazeera
Spanish elections: initial results say renewed deadlock beckons -- The Guardian
Spanish elections fail to break political stalemate as results show little difference in six months -- The Independent
After 'Brexit,' Spain tackles its own voter frustrations -- USA Today
Factbox: Spain has no easy options in search for a new government -- Fiscal Times

Spain Goes To The Polls Today

DW: Spain returns to polls for new parliamentary vote

Voters in Spain are set to elect a new parliament for the second time since December, after political parties failed to create a ruling coalition. The conservative Popular Party is predicted to claim the most seats.

Polls opened at 0700 UTC (9 a.m. ECT) in Spain on Sunday for a repeat parliamentary election aimed at breaking a six-month long political stalemate.

The two main contenders are the center-right Popular Party (PP) and the newly-formed far-left alliance Unidos Podemos, with pollsters predicting a conservative win.

At the same time, the new leftists are set to overtake the socialist PSOE, the traditionally largest left-wing party in Spain.

The anti-austerity Podemos formed an alliance with the communist United Left last month. Together, the two far-left parties pushed ahead of the moderate PSOE, in a country that is burdened by unemployment and government deadlock.

Read more ....

More News On Spain's Parliamentary Elections

Spain votes again in attempt to break government stalemate -- AP
Spain prepares for second general election in six months -- France 24
Spain votes to break political deadlock, far left set to rise -- Reuters
Spain braced for déjà vu in second elections in six months -- The Guardian
Spain Begins to Vote as Rajoy Confronts Podemos in Ballot -- Bloomberg
Spain Votes in Election Rerun -- WSJ
Spanish voters head back to polls in bid to break deadlock -- BBC
After Brexit, Spain holds general election -- Al Jazeera
Spain’s elections this weekend let more disgruntled Europeans vote against the status quo -- Quartz