Spain: Political Developments and Data in 2021

During 2021, Spain faced problems arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, including high-risk public health situations in some regions. A vaccination campaign was carried out for entire Spanish population, constrained by arrival of doses and their distribution among Several precepts legislation framing state alarm were declared unconstitutional Constitutional Court. The Cabinet underwent successive reshuffles prompted regional electoral processes held Catalonia Madrid, balance power between two parties that formed coalition government. In labour market began to improve thanks European funds aimed at implementing programmes mitigate economic social damage pandemic. Durante el año 2021 España atiende a los problemas derivados de la pandemia COVID y hace frente situaciones riesgo alto en algunas regiones. Desarrolla una campaña vacunación toda población española condicionada por llegada dosis su reparto entre las CCAA. Asimismo, se enfrenta dos sentencias del Tribunal Constitucional que declaran inconstitucionales varios preceptos legislación ampara estado alarma. En ámbito político, destaca sucesivas remodelaciones Gobierno motivadas procesos electorales regionales celebrados Cataluña Madrid difícil equilibrio miembros partidos coalición dentro fuera gobierno. inicia recuperación mercado laboral pero será gracias fondos europeos cuando ponga marcha programas para evitar daño económico tras crisis sanitaria. year marked fight against pandemic massive implemented throughout country immunize all population groups. By end year, had suffered total four waves coronavirus infections. also rulings Court several alarm. Other key events included pardons granted prisoners so-called procès (short ‘Catalan independence process’), changes national Cabinet, repercussions elections on politics. most important regions—Catalonia Madrid—held early (table 1). Their results political consequences election automatically 14 February accordance with legal provisions when no candidate received enough support Parliament an investiture vote. months before election, Quim Torra been disqualified as President Supreme ruling disobeying Central Electoral Board during legislative April 2019. date then postponed 30 May because new wave COVID-19. Postal voting requests tripled number people asking be exempted polling station duties increased. turnout 54%, eight obtained seats Parliament. Socialist Party Catalonia/Partit dels Socialistes Catalunya (PSC-PSOE), led former Minister Health, who prominent role came first 23 per cent votes. It followed majority pro-independence with, respectively, 21.3 (Republican Left Catalonia/Esquerra Republicana Catalunya—ERC) 20 (Together Catalonia/Junts Catalunya—Junts) other lower levels support, ranging 11 (VOX/VOX, right-wing populist party) 3.8 (People's Party/Partido Popular—PP). After failed bids, ERC leader, Pere Aragonés, elected president three (ERC, Junts Popular Unity Candidacy/Candidatura d‘Unitat Popular—CUP), subsequently forming snap Region (Community Madrid). incumbent government Isabel Díaz Ayuso (PP) called 4 May. She anticipated presentation motion censure her partner Citizens/Ciudadanos-Partido Ciudadanía (Cs) parties. action avoid losing happened few days earlier region Murcia. leader United We Can/Unidas Podemos (UP), Pablo Iglesias, resigned second Vice-President stood try save his party disaster. Turnout 77.8 cent, five representation PP won 45 vote, twice percentage they achieved previous ended up short overall majority. Two left-wing parties, PSOE More Madrid/Más (+M), 17 right-wing, VOX, Podemos-Izquierda Unida (IU), 9 7 respectively. failure Podemos, Iglesias decided retire Another major PSOE, being surpassed second-most voted Más founded members faction Podemos. Cs, junior government, did not obtain parliamentary representation. fist attempt, sworn Government went form minority contributed Ayuso's consolidation leadership figure within party. Sánchez II, experienced 2). January, announced reshuffle Cabinet. appointment Salvador Illa, Catalonia, post assumed Carolina Darias (PSOE), turn replaced member Miquel Iceta (PSOE) Territorial Policy. March after (Podemos), Social Rights Agenda 2030, run Community Madrid. Nadia Calviño him kept position Economic Affairs Digital Transformation. Ione Belarra portfolio 2030. Yolanda (Podemos) appointed third retained Labour Economy. At beginning July, barely reshuffle, subsequent more profound took place. This biggest change since Pedro became Prime one deepest history, which turned session upside down. Seven ministers left seven members. consists 15 women men. Carmen Calvo José Luis Ábalos, I figures Party, dismissed. Félix Bolaños Presidency; latter Raquel Transport, Mobility Urban Agenda; Pilar Llop Justice Juan Carlos Campo (PSOE); Rodríguez Policy Spokesperson, replacing head Ministry Culture Sport, previously occupied Manuel Uribes Albares Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya Alegría Education Vocational Training, Celaá Diana Morant Science Innovation, Duque (Independent). only affected ministers, whereas Unidas continued post. argues reasons government's main task consolidating recovery job creation, managing enormous opportunity Next Generation EU stimulus package represented underpinning modernization economy. Moreover, female ex mayors involved reinforcement generational renewal commitment succeeded municipal sphere. last Sánchez's quota December, Universities (an independent nominated Podemos) due Joan Subirats (independent), minister experience politics councillor Barcelona City Council headed branch Lower House 3) validated 32 royal decrees issues Many them achieve approval Of these, one-third dealt related natural disasters (a volcanic eruption snowstorm), transposition directives, various policies. organic laws passed, enjoyed mixed support. supported cases, opposition People's Party. These include relating doping sports, civil registry, child protection personal data, amended On hand, law euthanasia, judiciary another enhanced cooperation creation Public Prosecutor's Office. Cs (centre) VOX (populist right) sometimes abstained, times same manner PP. 22 ordinary passed violence women, children adolescents, introduction rights digital services. law, transposed directive prevention tax fraud, introducing amendments. meet requirements plan policy goals reduction temporary employment administrations (170 votes favour 156 abstentions), guarantee sustainability pensions (176 148 against), well annual budget, minimum living income animal rights. limited partners 4). As mentioned report, Secretary General 13 June, For its part, 40th Congress 15–17 October Valencia. re-elected uncontested contest. rules, there need alternative candidates. Worthy mention is resignation Ábalos Organisation He Santos Cerdán. years deadlock lack consensus, partially renewed (Congreso Diputados) upon proposal agreement allowed Auditors, ombudsman director radio television broadcaster (RTVE). contrast, renovation Judiciary, pending 2018, unsolved. Basic Law Judiciary actually reformed limit competences this organ mandate expires operational tasks. particularly dense challenging management occurred climate turmoil both inside outside executive. Within fatigue and, particular, culminated large reconfiguration Besides, above all, nearly obtaining votes, placed uncomfortable position. Indeed, contrast central Madrid's respective axes comparison assessment success opinion, stronger restrictions. adverse executive reinforced judgement 2020, general lockdown country, extension period six-month (second alarm) suspension work later unconstitutional. addition, decision pardon Catalan secessionist leaders convicted sedition over bid 2017, launching bilateral process negotiation controversial. Since energy crisis. price electricity rising gradually tariff introduced summer solve situation. fuels such gas supply shortages different sets factors Brexit closure Maghreb–Europe pipeline Algeria. international arena, migratory conflict Morocco. May, concealed irregular entry Brahim Ghali, Polisario Front, treated hospital Spain. event complicity Moroccan land sea than 5000 illegal immigrants single day city Ceuta. solved dismissal July. positive note, met requirement access funds. April, presented Plan Recovery, Transformation Resilience Commission. Its institutions initial funding tranche €10,000 million December 2021.