The amount of information related to Spain that has emerged as part of the recent Wikileaks revelations is enormous. With El País nominated as one of the five newspapers to benefit from the distribution, this was inevitable. Since the first day of publication, on November 28, we have seen reports of how the US government pressured Spanish legal authorities to drop the case against American troops blamed for the death of cameraman José Couso in Iraq; of how Washington pressured Spanish firms to leave Iran and the Spanish government to approve internet anti-piracy legislation; of Madrid’s covert support for Morocco’s cause in the Western Sahara conflict; and of Prime Minister Zapatero’s … [Read more...] about Wikileaks: Washington’s peculiar view of Spain
Spain’s doping habit threatens to sully golden year
Another Civil Guard doping bust and another sports star is suspected of having cheated their way to the top. This time, it is Marta Domínguez, the world steeplechase champion, whose house was raided on December 9 to reveal enough illegal doping products, including EPO, for her to be suspected of supplying other athletes, Spanish media has reported. Domínguez was one of 14 people, mainly from the world of athletics, who were arrested as part of “Operation Galgo” (she was later released pending investigation). Others included her trainer César Pérez, the highly regarded coach Manuel Pascua and former 3,000m runner Alberto García. But it is the apparent fall from grace of Domínguez, 35, … [Read more...] about Spain’s doping habit threatens to sully golden year
Economy the priority for Catalan election victors
Much has been made of the fact that the CiU nationalist candidate in the Catalan elections, Artur Mas, has said he would vote “yes” in a putative referendum on independence. However, having won the November 28 ballot in resounding fashion, he and his party will be worrying more about the state of the region’s economy than stoking the fires of separatism – at least in the short term. CiU won 62 seats in the regional parliament, up from 48 in 2006 and just six short of an overall majority, enabling it to govern alone for the next four years, although it will need help to push laws through. The governing Catalan Socialists saw their share of seats drop from 37 to 28 and their tripartite … [Read more...] about Economy the priority for Catalan election victors
Catalan elections mark end of an era
A turbulent year in Catalonia is coming to an end with what is likely to be a major upheaval in the region’s political balance of power, caused by the November 28 regional election. The issue of regional sovereignty and the related questions of autonomy and even independence have been in the air more than usual throughout 2010. An unbinding referendum on independence in 211 Catalan towns (which gave an overwhelming “yes” response but saw an extremely low turnout) in April set the tone. Then in June, the Constitutional Court, after four years of deliberation and institutional foot-dragging, struck down several clauses in the new Estatut, which granted extra powers to the region. The … [Read more...] about Catalan elections mark end of an era
Can Jorge Sanz save Spanish TV?
Isn’t Spanish television in extraordinarily rude health? With such a wealth of talent and so many brave, groundbreaking programs, perhaps we’re looking at a new Spanish Golden Age – A Golden Age of the small screen. Before you hoot with derision at the above, consider this: it’s not a complete lie. I admit, when flicking through the channels, I too shake my fist at the screen as yet another herd of botoxed, inbred celebrities hog the camera’s attentions; I sigh with resignation as another cameraman with the shakes films the home of a Spaniard who is quite dull in every respect except, apparently, for the fact he or she lives abroad; and my eyelids droop as TVE’s interminable news program … [Read more...] about Can Jorge Sanz save Spanish TV?
Western Sahara violence unleashes a media war
Restrictions on the Spanish media’s coverage of the recent dismantling of the Gdaym Izik protest camp in Western Sahara were so severe, it is amazing so many column inches have been filled on the issue. With some newspaper reporters mysteriously told at Rabat airport that their tickets were not valid to travel to Laâyoune, and others, such as two correspondents from La Ser radio station, expelled from the region, it hasn’t been easy to cover the story. This might explain why there has been so much confusion over what exactly happened on November 8, when Moroccan troops entered the camp to bring an end to the protest. At the time many media in Spain, informed it seems by pro-Sahrawi … [Read more...] about Western Sahara violence unleashes a media war
Pellegrini embraces Málaga’s long-term dream
In 1999, an Ecuadorian banking tycoon called Rodrigo Paz wanted to take the team he owned, Liga de Quito, to the next level and make it a major force in Latin American football. As well as spending heavily on players, he hired Manuel Pellegrini, a Chilean coach who had been successful in his home country and was starting to make a name for himself across South America. With the full backing and confidence of the club owner, the quietly spoken coach’s methods were effective and he won that year’s national championship in style, as well as taking the previously underperforming team on an impressive run in the Copa Libertadores continental tournament. Fast forward to 2010 and Pellegrini … [Read more...] about Pellegrini embraces Málaga’s long-term dream
Batasuna does legwork as ETA inches towards Basque peace
As ETA moves closer to what looks potentially like a full ceasefire that commits the Basque group to laying down its weapons once and for all, Spain’s politicians are offering some strictly scripted rhetoric. For most mainstream Spanish parties, scepticism and suspicion are the watchwords as they comment on ETA’s shift towards what could be lasting peace and the end of the separatist organisation’s 51-year history. The group’s September 5 announcement that it had halted all “armed offensive actions” was deemed too half-hearted and vague by the governing Socialists and the opposition Popular Party (PP). They regarded it as a ploy to ensure the legalisation of ETA’s political support, … [Read more...] about Batasuna does legwork as ETA inches towards Basque peace
Pope’s visit highlights challenges for Spanish Church
For Pope Benedict XVI, a visit to Spain will seem like a carefree holiday after his recent tour of Britain. That trip to Scotland and England coincided with angry protests at the Vatican’s handling of child sex abuse cases, and calls for him to face legal action. The British secret service even thwarted a reported attempt on the pope’s life by Islamists. No such hostility is expected when the pontiff touches down in Santiago de Compostela on November 6, for a two-day visit that will also take him to Barcelona. Spain has been relatively unaffected by the abuse scandals that have rocked other countries with large Catholic communities. The visit will be “momentous,” the archbishop of … [Read more...] about Pope’s visit highlights challenges for Spanish Church
Bare-faced cheek gives Spain air of election fever
Sexist taunts, allegations of extremism and the hint of an economic plan – it must be an election campaign. That, at least, is the overwhelming suspicion in the wake of Spanish politics’ recent “cheekgate” affair, which saw the Popular Party mayor of Valladolid, Javier de la Riva, comment of newly instated Health Minister Leire Pajín that “every time I see that face and those cheeks [pun intended], I have the same thought.” De la Riva’s curious train of thought also led him to describe Pajín as “a very well prepared girl who is able and discreet, and will dish out condoms left and right wherever she goes.” Pajín, who at 34 is the youngest member of the Cabinet, has for some time been … [Read more...] about Bare-faced cheek gives Spain air of election fever