Skip to main content
Archived edition · August 24, 2026 Today's news →

What's happening in Europe?

Flag of Spain

Spain

News summary for

Go to today →

Congress 🗣️

Housing Prices Soar as Ceuta Crisis Engulfs Parliament

The political landscape is dominated by the escalating Ceuta crisis, which has now moved to the forefront of the parliamentary agenda. President Pedro Sánchez has returned from vacation to confront the situation, with numerous government ministers slated to appear before Congress to discuss the crisis. The opposition, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, is intensifying its pressure on the government, proposing measures such as the confinement of migrants with contagious diseases, while new challenges emerge regarding asylum requests and unspent health funds in the autonomous cities.

In significant economic news, housing prices across the nation have doubled over the past 12 years, marking 48 consecutive quarters of increases and surpassing previous bubble peaks in many regions. This surge is also reflected in Valencia, where speculative investment is reportedly transforming subsidized housing into speculative assets.

Meanwhile, former President of the Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, is facing judicial scrutiny and reportedly losing credibility due to his silence in a probe concerning the origin of jewels. Elsewhere, Spanish courts have rejected an appeal from former judge Baltasar Garzón regarding his past conviction, and a new warning has been issued about the inevitability of a major earthquake in the country.

Top stories

Ceuta Crisis Escalates into Parliamentary Confrontation

The ongoing Ceuta migration crisis has intensified, becoming a central battleground in the upcoming parliamentary session as President of the Government Pedro Sánchez returns from vacation to directly address the situation. Multiple government ministers are scheduled to appear before Congress to provide an account of the crisis, which the opposition, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, is using to challenge the government. New developments include Feijóo's call for the confinement of migrants with…

Alarming Surge in Housing Prices

Spain's housing market is experiencing an unprecedented surge, with prices doubling over the past 12 years and recording 48 consecutive quarters of increases. This rise has surpassed previous bubble peaks in 16 autonomous communities, with a more than 10% increase in the last year alone. In Valencia, a trend of speculative investment is transforming subsidized housing (VPO) into speculative assets due to rising rents and high-income protection.

Former Officials Face Judicial Scrutiny

Former President of the Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, is reportedly losing credibility with a judge due to two months of silence regarding the origin of jewels, following an instructor's report that links him to suspicions of smuggling and crimes against public finance. Separately, Spanish courts have rejected legal claims made by former judge Baltasar Garzón challenging his past conviction.

News sources