SPAIN, NOVEMBER 2019: A ROAD TO THE FAR RIGHT »
The radical right is “a political ideology, the core element of which is a myth of a homogeneous nation, a romantic and populist ultranationalism which is directed against the concept of liberal and pluralistic democracy. . . It wants government by the people, but in terms of ethnocracy instead of democracy.” Thus, one of the biggest political stories in Spain these days, as a young but stable demo crary, is the sudden and perplexing rise of the reactionary far-right Vox party. In the 10 November 2019 snap election, Vox won no less than 15.09% of the vote. Overnight, it has become Spain’s third largest parliamentary party. Should Spain — and Europe — begin to worry?
THE G-7 SUMMIT IN BIARRITZ AND OTHER TRAVEL TRADITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO SNARL UP TRAFFIC IN THE FRENCH TOWN AND AT THE SPANISH-FRENCH BORDER. BEWARE! »
The dates around the G-7 Summit are, traditionally, a period of high traffic density. It is important to plan trips on the days prior and subsequent to the Summit for those driving in areas close to the Summit location and avoiding, at any event, traveling into France from the Basque Country.
NOTRE DAME GETS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE »
Notre Dame has been in desperate need of funds for years and, at last, more than $900 million have been pledged by private individuals, firms and public institutions toward the rebuilding effort. To bring an ironically happy end to the tragedy, it may be that the fire will be what will allow France to rebuild the cathedral back to its former glory.
SPAIN IS ONE OF THE MOST REPUTABLE COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD: SO WHAT? »
Reputation is critical to enhancing buisness and is therefore a crucial asset for a country. In 2018 Sweden is the Most Reputable Country among the 55 polled. Seven of the Top Ten are European countries. Outside of the Top Ten Spain ranks 14th, the UK 16th, France 18th and Germany 19th. The USA, once the leader of the free world, is not seen as a responsible participant in the global community. It is ranked 34th. Iraq is the least reputable, ranking 55th.
MANUEL VALLS, EX-PREMIER OF FRANCE: WILL BARCELONA BE THE GRAVEYARD OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER OR WILL HE BE ELECTED MAYOR AND RISE AGAIN? »
Valls is quite aware of the need to concentrate on local issues rather than playing on the sentiments of those against the independence of Catalonia from Spain. And his long experience in (French) politics will serve his mayoral candidacy well. But he's up against formidable rivals like the highly rated incumbent Mayor Ada Colau and Ernest Maragall, the "foreign minister" of a regional government that's acting up like the government of an independent republic . . . The upcoming municipal election in Barcelona promises to be quite exciting!
THE EUROPEAN UNION’S VERY SPECIAL DAY IN MAY »
So crucial was the Schuman Declaration to Europe that in 1985 the European Council decided to designate the 9th of May as Europe Day, an annual celebration of the peace and unity that the Declaration stands for, in a region that used to be the sorry scene of unremitting armed conflict
SECOND OF MAY: THE MADRILEÑOS, NAPOLEON BONAPARTE & GUERILLA WARFARE »
Dos de Mayo (2 May) is a public holiday in the Autonomous Community of Madrid with heaps of patriotic connotations. It commemorates the heroic rebellion of the Madrileños against the occupation of their city by Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops and the repression by the French Imperial forces. It’s been 210 years!
SCENES OF DOS DE MAYO IN TODAY’S MADRID »
It's been 210 years but the places of Madrid heroism are still there, very much alive and thriving. See them as they are today!
New Age Spain: Trending Foreign Relations! »
Spain's dance on the world stage got rave reviews as democracy returned to the country after the relative isolationism of the Franco years. Spain entered the European Community and joined the NATO, maintains its special identification with fellow Spanish-speaking countries in the Ibero-American community, has gradually begun to broaden its contacts with sub-Saharan Africa, is well-known as a Mediator in the Middle East . . .
MANUEL VALLS, POSSIBLE CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF BARCELONA: “MADRID WAS THERE FIRST” »
"It was Madrid, in the 1970s, who acknowledged my father, before Catalonia remembered that it had a great painter. And it seems to me that by this, you’ll understand what I think. Besides, Catalonia without Spain makes no sense”
