Catalan Separatists Agree on Independence But Little Else
Separatist parties agree they want to break away from Spain, but that’s about all they agree on.
Southern Europe
Spanish Parties Need to Get Their Act Together
Time is running out to form a government, yet none of the major parties are close to a deal.
Rajoy Gets Closer to Second Term as Liberals May Abstain
Spain’s conservative party leader would only need one more party to abstain and clear the way for him.
No More Excuses: Time to Fine Portugal and Spain
The Iberians keep failing to meet their fiscal targets. If the rules mean anything, they must be fined.
Defeat Splits Podemos Between Moderates and Hardliners
Some are trying to convince the Spanish far left they lost the election because they weren’t far left enough.
The Rajoy School of Political Science
The Spanish prime minister’s strategy is always to wait and wait until circumstances change in his favor.
Rajoy Vindicated, Grows Party in Spain’s Reelections
The prime minister expands his People’s Party’s plurality, putting him in a stronger position to stay in power.
After Six Months of Gridlock, Little Could Change in Spain
Conservatives are expected to fall short of a majority. The Socialists will hold the balance of power.
Spanish Far Left’s Influence Could Be Limited in Coalition
The United Left could play a national role for the first time, but it would still hold little power in a coalition.
Pedro Sánchez: The Man Without Options
Spain’s Socialist Party leader could find himself with no good options after the election, again.
Far-Left Fanatics Jeopardize Catalan Secession Plans
One small party could put independence from Spain on hold.
Voters Punish Italy’s Renzi as Reforms Stall
The Italian prime minister’s supporters suffer in local elections as reforms have yet to pay off.
Rajoy’s Left-Right Narrative Could Crush Socialists
Mariano Rajoy hopes to win back power by framing the election as a choice between himself and the far left.
Why Montenegro is Joining NATO
Montenegro is making a choice to be Western. NATO closes a gap.
Rajoy Reiterates Call for Left-Right Coalition in Spain
The conservative party leader will seek a deal with the Socialists.