December
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On December 1, Spanish media continued its focus on the Koldo and Ábalos corruption case, with reports in the morning indicating Koldo and Ábalos planned to remain silent in court, and recordings suggesting Sánchez had informed Ábalos about an investigation. The PP held demonstrations against "sanchismo" but ruled out a no-confidence motion. By early afternoon, the narrative shifted, with a significant development in the swine plague outbreak in Catalonia. Authorities linked the outbreak's origin to a contaminated sandwich, leading to military deployment and international import bans from countries like China, Japan, Taiwan, and Mexico. Throughout the evening, media continued to detail the swine plague's spread and its economic impact.
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The day began with ongoing coverage of the swine plague in Catalonia, with the Generalitat continuing to point to a contaminated sandwich as its origin. However, the editorial focus shifted significantly in the morning. President Sánchez announced a decree to address outstanding agreements with Junts, acknowledging past "non-compliance and delays" to mend relations. This move was widely reported as an effort to recompose his parliamentary majority and save the legislature, with Sánchez not ruling out a meeting with Puigdemont.
Concurrently, the Koldo and Ábalos corruption case remained in the news, with Ábalos's son implicating Sánchez and new accusations emerging against Cerdán and the detention of former EU Vice-President Federica Mogherini. In the evening, the US President Donald Trump's threats of ground attacks in Venezuela also gained traction across outlets.
Concurrently, the Koldo and Ábalos corruption case remained in the news, with Ábalos's son implicating Sánchez and new accusations emerging against Cerdán and the detention of former EU Vice-President Federica Mogherini. In the evening, the US President Donald Trump's threats of ground attacks in Venezuela also gained traction across outlets.
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The day's narrative focused on President Sánchez's attempts to mend relations with Junts to ensure legislative stability. In the morning, reports indicated Sánchez's efforts, including a "public act of contrition" to reopen negotiations. However, Junts quickly rejected these overtures, stating their position remained unchanged and that negotiations were not occurring. Throughout the afternoon and evening, headlines consistently reiterated Junts' firm stance, demanding more concrete steps from the government and leaving margin for dialogue only if all conditions were met. Concurrently, the Koldo and Ábalos corruption case remained a significant focus, with a judge demanding the PSOE provide all cash payments since 2017, including those from Sánchez.
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The day's significant development was Spain's withdrawal from Eurovision 2026. This decision, announced in the late afternoon and evening, was a direct response to the European Broadcasting Union's allowance of Israel's participation, with RTVE's president citing geopolitical interests dominating the festival.
Concurrently, the 'Salazar case' continued to unfold within the PSOE. Morning headlines focused on the party requesting patience regarding the investigation into harassment allegations. By the afternoon, reports indicated the PSOE's internal turmoil over its handling of the case, with Ábalos alleging a "pact of silence" ordered by Sánchez. Later, Ferraz admitted to acting "badly" and promised to accelerate a resolution, though not immediately transferring the case to the Prosecutor's Office.
Separately, the spread of African swine fever in Barcelona remained a concern, with the EU expanding the infected zone to 91 municipalities. Additionally, alleged corruption in Madrid's public healthcare system gained traction, particularly concerning the Torrejón hospital dismissing executives who reported patient rejections.
Concurrently, the 'Salazar case' continued to unfold within the PSOE. Morning headlines focused on the party requesting patience regarding the investigation into harassment allegations. By the afternoon, reports indicated the PSOE's internal turmoil over its handling of the case, with Ábalos alleging a "pact of silence" ordered by Sánchez. Later, Ferraz admitted to acting "badly" and promised to accelerate a resolution, though not immediately transferring the case to the Prosecutor's Office.
Separately, the spread of African swine fever in Barcelona remained a concern, with the EU expanding the infected zone to 91 municipalities. Additionally, alleged corruption in Madrid's public healthcare system gained traction, particularly concerning the Torrejón hospital dismissing executives who reported patient rejections.
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The day's dominant narrative focused on the deepening controversy surrounding the DANA storm response. Early morning headlines reiterated Spain's Eurovision withdrawal due to Israel's participation and ongoing internal dissent within the PSOE over the 'Salazar case'. However, by late morning, new reports emerged detailing communications between Pradas and Mazón's cabinet, indicating Mazón's chief of staff instructed Pradas not to confine residents despite warnings of a fatality. This theme escalated throughout the afternoon, with multiple outlets highlighting attempts to suppress confinement orders. Concurrently, Trump's warnings about the 'disappearance of European civilization' and the 2026 World Cup draw gained traction in the late afternoon.
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The day began with continued reports on the investigation into the swine fever outbreak, with several outlets pointing to a Bellaterra laboratory as a potential origin. Concurrently, the 47th anniversary of the Constitution was a central theme, marked by significant political division. The approval of the Constitution was reported to be declining, linked to political radicalization, and the celebration itself saw boycotts from government partners and Vox.
By late morning, Catalonia announced an audit of laboratories handling the swine fever virus and the culling of 80,000 pigs. Simultaneously, the focus shifted to the 'Salazar case,' with President Sánchez acknowledging errors in handling the harassment allegations, denying premeditation but assuming responsibility. This admission became a dominant narrative through the afternoon and evening.
By late morning, Catalonia announced an audit of laboratories handling the swine fever virus and the culling of 80,000 pigs. Simultaneously, the focus shifted to the 'Salazar case,' with President Sánchez acknowledging errors in handling the harassment allegations, denying premeditation but assuming responsibility. This admission became a dominant narrative through the afternoon and evening.