The Irish Times

The Irish Times view on elections in Madrid: a seismic shift

An election to the Madrid region’s powerful parliament has sent ripples through Spain’s political system

Thu May 06 2021 - 18:45

The Irish Times view on Catalonia’s election: a blow to the right

Regional poll offers comfort to Spain’s centre-left coalition and to the Catalan independence movement

Mon Feb 15 2021 - 19:25

The Irish Times view on Spain’s election: Sánchez pays for his hubris

The caretaker prime minister’s tenuous grip on his troubled country is now weaker than ever

Mon Nov 11 2019 - 20:00

The Irish Times view on the Catalan crisis: A failure of politics

Severe sentencing of independence movement leaders only adds to division

Wed Oct 16 2019 - 02:00

The Irish Times view on Spanish politics: A missed opportunity

PSOE and Podemos fail to form coalition government, worsening an irritation with mainstream politics

Mon Jul 29 2019 - 05:00

Who is in the running for the EU's top jobs?

Europe Editor Patrick Smyth sets the scene and looks at the runners and riders

Mon Jul 01 2019 - 14:40

Far-right’s results far from startling in European Parliament elections

Good turnout and swing from ultranationalism enhance Europe’s sense of legitimacy

Sun Jun 02 2019 - 17:46

Elections round-up: how people voted across the EU

Country-by-country guide to elections that saw modest gains for the far-right in many member states

Mon May 27 2019 - 19:43

To the left? European social democracy shows signs of life

Europe Letter: Spain is proof that centre-left parties can regain lost ground with a more radical approach

Thu May 02 2019 - 01:00

The Irish Times view on Spain’s woes: one step closer to an election

This week has seen the collapse of what may have been the best hope, in a long time, for a resolution of Spain’s economic and territorial problems

Thu Feb 14 2019 - 00:10

Spain’s opposition calls for snap election after rejecting budget

Catalan secessionists vote with right-wing parties against Pedro Sánchez’s budget

Wed Feb 13 2019 - 18:51

Not likely anyone will kill for Basque independence in foreseeable future

Basque Country Letter: It is strange to visit when the memory of Eta appears to be fading

Tue Jun 12 2018 - 01:00

Astronaut appointed science minister in new Spanish cabinet

Veteran of two space missions Pedro Duque named in cabinet dominated by women

Wed Jun 06 2018 - 16:35

The Irish Times view on Spain’s new government: A new epoch

What form the new epoch will take remains very hard to discern

Wed Jun 06 2018 - 00:05

The Irish Times view on Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s mounting woes

Partido Popular leader’s sorrows are mostly of his and his party’s own making

Tue May 29 2018 - 00:03

Catalonia: time to step back from the brink

Democratic politicians must rise above the temptation to use this crisis to increase their own support

Tue Oct 10 2017 - 00:05

Paddy Woodworth: Rajoy has played into the hands of Catalan nationalism

Perception of authoritarian government denying gallant small nation right to express itself is widespread

Mon Oct 02 2017 - 12:01

Scene set for ugly confrontation ahead of Catalonia independence vote

Barcelona Letter: Many Catalans are less than enthusiastic for a divorce from Madrid

Wed Jul 26 2017 - 01:00

Referendum in Catalonia: sleepwalking into a crisis

Mariano Rajoy appears so determined to change nothing that he may soon find major changes happening very fast

Wed Jun 21 2017 - 00:02

Sánchez’s unlikely return as Spanish socialist leader threatens turmoil

New opposition leader eyes Rajoy’s minority government after primary win

Mon May 22 2017 - 17:46

Former leader Sánchez seeks redemption among Spain’s Socialists

Divisive former party leader returns with radical agenda in tight primary contest

Sat May 20 2017 - 01:00

Spanish socialists seek ideological anchor as leadership race looms

Former leader Pedro Sánchez spooks party veterans with radical comeback

Tue Mar 21 2017 - 01:00

Spain tries ‘new politics’ too

Mariano Rajoy’s mandate as prime minister is extremely fragile

Thu Nov 03 2016 - 00:01

Rajoy likely to secure Spanish prime-ministership as Socialist counterpart resigns

PSOE in crisis and facing split

Mon Oct 03 2016 - 00:02

Spanish Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez resigns

Party deposed secretary general over refusal to allow Mariano Rajoy to form government

Sun Oct 02 2016 - 18:21

Revolt in socialists party over leader’s refusal to end Spain’s political deadlock

All-out, very public war unleashed in heart of party over Sánchez stance

Sat Oct 01 2016 - 02:00

Spain mired in political stasis

Repeated failures of politicians to elect a new government has exacerbated a crisis of confidence

Mon Sept 19 2016 - 00:00

An end to the stalemate in Spain?

Centre-right party opens door to formation of a new government

Mon Aug 15 2016 - 01:07

Rajoy’s position now looks unassailable, and not only to his own party

Spain experiences Brexit ripple effect

Mon Jul 04 2016 - 00:00

Spain’s mainstream parties defy polls and challenge from left

Mariano Rajoy’s Popular Party gains 14 seats while Unidos Podemos remain in third place

Sun Jun 26 2016 - 22:11

Six months, and still stalemate with no government in Spain

The public mood generally has shifted from exasperation to resignation, but the impact of a second impasse will be unpredictable

Wed Jun 15 2016 - 00:00

Political stalemate continues to reign in Spain

The most likely outcome remains new elections in June – and no major changes in the results

Wed Apr 13 2016 - 00:00

A circle yet to be squared in Spain

Impasse points to another election in June

Fri Feb 19 2016 - 00:00

The Irish Times view: Spain - where political deadlock reigns

Discreet voices in Brussels are warning that continued instability threatens an economic recovery that pulled the country back from brink of collapse

Fri Jan 29 2016 - 00:00