Crisis Chronology

SPAIN

10/24/2023

New government formed

After months of stalemate, The Socialist Party agrees on a coalition with the hard-left Sumar Party, led by Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz. Sanchez remains prime minister.

09/27/2023

Feijóo fails in first vote to become prime minister, winning 172 with 178 against. A second vote will be held on 9/29.

07/23/2023

General election. The Popular Party wins 120 seats to gain a plurality but not a majority. The PSOE loses seats, winning a total of 72.

07/11/2023

Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo makes forceful arguments, some of them misleading, in debate with Sanchez. His right-wing Popular Party is leading in polls and is expected to win the most votes in the 7/23 election, though Sanchez’s Socialists (PSOE) have been gaining support before the debate. Neither party is expected to win a majority.

05/29/2023

Government calls new national elections for 7/23.

05/28/2023

In local and regional elections today, the ruling party is crushed. The right-wing People's Party clinches outright majorities in Madrid and flipped control of PSOE stronghold regions and big cities, although it will need support from the far-right Vox Party to govern. Thanks to the collapse of the centrist Citizens Party, the PP surged by nine percentage points in the popular vote.

05/15/2023

Severe drought across the country. Catalonia has seen no rain for a year. 2021 was the driest year on record.

09/29/2022

Government coalition agrees on new tax on the wealthy.

06/08/2022

Algeria “suspends” friendship treaty with Spain over Spain’s policy change regarding the western Sahara region.

04/21/2022

Government ends nearly all restrictions in regard to COVID-19.

04/12/2022

Morocco and Spain reestablish diplomatic relations.

04/07/2022

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez meets with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to ease tensions over the west.

03/18/2022

Spain changes its policy on the Western Sahara, endorsing Morocco’s plan for autonomy, not independence for the region. The Polisario Front condemns the change.

09/27/2021

Puigdemont leaves Italy for Brussels.

09/25/2021

Court orders Puigdemont freed, but he must return for a hearing in 10/21.

09/23/2021

Carles Puigdemont is arrested in Italy on a Spanish warrant.

08/11/2021

Spain recalls its ambassador to Nicaragua after Ortega accuses Spain of meddling in Nicaraguan affairs.

06/21/2021

Sanchez says the Catalan separatists will be pardoned as a gesture of unity and reconciliation.

06/01/2021

Ghali appears in court on genocide charges in Spain, but the court rules that there is not sufficient evidence to take Ghali into custody.

05/19/2021

5/18/21. Spain accuses Morocco of aiding a flood of migrants to Ceuta a small southern town, because of Spain’s allowing the leader of the Polisario Front to seek treatment for COVID-19 in Madrid.

05/19/2021

The Audencia Nacional summons the leader of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, to appear before it on accusations of multiple violations of human rights. Ghali refuses to sign the summons, and may be holding an Algerian diplomatic passport, which could give him immunity.

05/04/2021

The populist Popular Party, led by Isabel Diaz Ayuso, wins landslide victory in regional Madrid legislature. She is currently President of the Community of Madrid. She campaigned on keeping Madrid business and recreation open during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is considered a rising star in Spanish politics. The Popular Party will rule the region in a coalition with the right-wing Vox party.

03/09/2021

EU parliament strips Catalan separatist members Carles Puigdemont, Tomi Comin, and Clara Ponsati of immunity, which will allow Spanish prosecutors to extradite them to Spain to face charges of sedition.

02/14/2021

In Catalan parliament voting, pro-union Socialist Party, led by Sanchez ally Salvador Illa, and separatist Republican Left are likely to win an equal number of seats, although the Socialist Party has a substantial lead in votes. The pro-independence Junt Party is likely to win 32 seats, giving the separatists a substantial majority. Two separatist parties, the leftist Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya and center-right Junts, had been leading a minority government after Quim Torra was suspended, pending a new election.

11/18/2020

Refugees to the Canary Islands from North Africa top 16700, overwhelming local authorities.

10/25/2020

Government declares state of emergency to allow regional governors to institute measures to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

10/10/2020

Government imposes a stay-at-home order on Madrid, but for the most part, the response to COVID-19 has been left to regional governments. With COVID-19 surging and the economy stumbling, the minority Socialist government is unable to advance any important programs. However, the conservative opposition is equally weak and unlikely to seriously challenge the Socialists in elections in 2023. Meanwhile, the far-right Vox party is gaining strength.

10/10/2020

Government imposes a stay-at-home order on Madrid, but for the most part, the response to COVID-19 has been left to regional governments. With COVID-19 surging and the economy stumbling, the minority Socialist government is unable to advance any important programs. However, the conservative opposition is equally weak and unlikely to seriously challenge the Socialists in elections in 2023. Meanwhile, the far-right Vox party is gaining strength.

09/28/2020

Supreme Court ratifies a year-and-a-half disqualification sentence to President of the Government of Catalonia Quim Torra. He must abandon the presidency after being accused of disobeying the Central Electoral Bureau Vice president Pere Aragonès will succeed him ad interim effective 9/29. There are protests in Catalonia.

09/25/2020

New spike in COVID-19 cases. Spain now has more than 700,000 cases and 31,000 deaths.

09/08/2020

A new surge in COVID-19 cases brings total to more than 525,000, and 29,500 deaths.

08/04/2020

Former king Juan Carlos flees to the Dominican Republic. He is being investigated for corruption.

06/21/2020

State of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic officially ends. Spain has more than 245,000 cases and 28,000 deaths.

04/28/2020

Government presents plan for loosening restrictions on travel and business due to COVID-19. On 4/27, children were allowed to go outside with their parents for an hour. On 4/28, a car parts factory was allowed to resume work under strict hygiene rules. On 5/2, people will be allowed to walk in their neighborhoods. Spain has more than 230,000 cases and 23,000 deaths.

04/13/2020

Government allows some shops to reopen as the COVIC-19 pandemic outbreak begins to ease. However, factories and other restrictions will remain in place until at least 5/3.

04/07/2020

New cases of COVID-19 dropping somewhat.

03/24/2020

Spain becomes the second-hardest hit country from COVID-19, after Italy. China, where the virus seems to be somewhat controlled, is third. China president Li Keqiang says domestic spread of the virus is controlled.

03/16/2020

Spain closes its borders due to COVID-19.

03/14/2020

Spain issues stay at home order due to COVID-19.

02/24/2020

Spain confirms first case of COVID-19.

01/07/2020

Sanchez re-elected prime minister

Sanchez forms a ruling coalition with Podemos and is sworn in as prime minister. The vote was 167 to 165, with abstentions by Catalan and Basque representatives playing a key role.

11/12/2019

The Socialists and Podemos agree to form a coalition and seek to govern. They will still need twenty-one more seats to have a majority government.

11/12/2019

Catalan parliament passes a resoluition to pursue independence concretely, in opposition to the Supreme Court ruling.

11/10/2019

Parliamentary election. The Socialists remain the largest party but lose three seats to 120. The rightist Vox party more than doubles its number of seats to 52 and the conservative People’s Party gains 22 to have 88 and be the second-largest party in parliament. Sanchez has ruled out coalition with either Vox or the People’s Party, and Podemos has only 42 seats, so other parties would be needed to form a majority government.

10/18/2019

Puigdemont turns himself in to Belgian police.

10/18/2019

Catalonia goes on a general strike.

10/16/2019

Third night of protests in Catalonia.

10/14/2019

Supreme Court sentences nine Catalans to prison for disobedience, but acquits them of rebellion. Catalans vow to protests. Government still asking for dialogue.

09/17/2019

With the Socialists unable to form a coalition with Podemos, government calls new election for 11/10/19.

09/11/2019

On Catalan national day, a large rally for independence, but leaders are divided on how to proceed. Puigdemont remains in exile in Brussels. His deputy, Oriol Junqueras, awaiting da verdict on his accusations, favors regional elections, but Puigdemont supports another attempt at secession.

09/11/2019

Sanchez attempting to form a coalition government with Podemos, so far unsuccessfully. He has until 9/23 to have a government approved by parliament or face another election.

07/25/2019

Parliament fails to approve Sanchez government as he remains unable to bring Podemos into a coalition. The vote was 124 for to 155 against with 67 abstentions. Sanchez could schedule one more vote in September, after the summer recess, and before a required new national election in November.

07/22/2019

Sanchez fails to win a majority of parliamentarians’ approval to form a government. A second round will be held on 7/24, at which only the PSOE needs only a majority of those voting. Sanchez refused to offer Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias a seat in the cabinet, leading to a breakdown in talks between the two parties.

04/28/2019

Socialists win plurality

Socialists lose their majority but remain the largest party in parliament, winning 123 of 350 seats in the Congress of Deputies. The People’s Party drops to 66, nearly sixty fewer. Cuidadanos gains to 57 and Unidas Podemos wins 42. Vox enters parliament for the first time, winning ten seats, not enough to be a factor in coalition building. Turnout was very high, over 75%.

04/21/2019

While the Socialists have gained ground in the polls for the parliamentary election 4/28, the political spectrum in Spain is fractured into multiple parties and the far-right Vox party has also gained ground.

03/16/2019

Large marches in support of Catalan leaders who are now on trial.

02/13/2019

Parliament rejects Sanchez’s proposed budget as Catalan legislators vote against. Sanchez says he will meet with the cabinet on 2/15, amid calls for new elections. The government is said to be open to new elections in hopes that voters will reject a return to more conservative government.

02/10/2019

Large protest against Sánchez’s plan to discuss independence situation with Catalans and calls for Sánchez to resign.

02/04/2019

UK, Germany, Portugal, and Spain recognize Gaidó as leader of Venezuela.

01/09/2019

Far-right Vox party agrees to support a rightist coalition in Andalusia, the first time a far-right party has been part of a government since the Franco era.

12/13/2018

Government announces 22% increase in minimum wage for 2019. The cabinet will vote on the proposal on 12/21.

12/02/2018

Socialists win Andalusia vote but far right Vox party gains substantially and could determine regional government, a blow for Sanchez government. The Socialist Party wins the most seats, but may be unable to form a majority coalition. The conservative Popular Party, which came in second, may be able to form a majority with Vox and the center-right Citizens (Cuidadanos) Party.

11/22/2018

Spain objects to the proposed EU-UK agreement in regard to Gibraltar, saying that trade between the UK and Gibraltar and Spain must be negotiated between Spain and the UK.

11/12/2018

French Pres Macron proposes a joint military force for Europe. Europe already has the European Intervention Initiative (EI2), aimed at creating a unified military force capable of taking coordinated action abroad. Finland joins the group, which includes France, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Estonia, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

10/22/2018

Morocco reported to be rounding up and banishing migrants since 6/18, in consultation with Spain and the EU.

07/19/2018

Spain drops European arrest warrants against Carles Puigdemont and five other Catalans abroad.

07/12/2018

German court rules that Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont can be extradited to Spain, but only on charges related to misuse of public funds, not rebellion.

06/12/2018

Migrants on a boat refused entry to Italy are moved off the troubled ship to another vessel to take them to Spain.

06/11/2018

In a symbolic gesture, Italy refuses to permit a large boatload of refugees from to dock at any of its ports. Spain has offered to take the group, but it is not clear whether the boat can survive the trip.

06/05/2018

Rajoy resigns as head of Popular Party.

06/05/2018

Rajoy resigns as head of the Popular Party. A party congress will be called to elect a new leader.

06/02/2018

Catalan government sworn in, ending direct rule by the central government. New Spanish PM Sanchez has invited dialogue with the Catalan separatists, but has ruled out an independence referendum.

06/01/2018

Socialists eject Rajoy and take control of government

The no-confidence motion passes with 180 votes of 376 seats. Pedro Sanchez of the Socialist Party is expected to be chosen to form a new government, as the Spanish constitution requires in regard to the sponsor of a no-confidence vote, although the party has only 80 seats in Congress. Votes came from a wide spectrum of the Congress. Both Podemos and the conservative Basque party supported it. Podemos has said it would support a Sanchez government.

05/31/2018

Congress of Deputies opens debate on the no-confidence motion.

05/25/2018

The Socialist Party presents a motion of no-confidence in the government, which will be voted on next week. Rajoy refuses to resign or call new elections.

05/24/2018

The National Court, a special court second only to the Supreme Court, finds the treasurer of the People’s Party, Luis Barcénas, a close ally of PM Rajoy, guilty of fraud and money-laundering in the Gürtel scandal.

02/21/2018

ETA says it will end its activities in Spain.

01/30/2018

Catalan parliament postpones opening session until Spain says it will not interfere in Puigdemont’s re-election.

01/27/2018

Constitutional Court rules that Puigdemont must return to Spain if he wants to run for re-election. Puigdemont is expected to askthe court for permission to return to spain to accept the presidency of the state, which he is expected to win.

01/26/2018

Spain asks Constitutional Court to block the nomination of Puigdemont as Catalan regional president.

01/23/2018

Government orders Catalan to bar a meeting between Torrent and Puigdemont in Brussels.

01/22/2018

Catalan speaker of parliament proposes Carles Puigdemont as president. Puigdemont has traveled to Denmark, where a court refused to activate an EU arrest warrant against Puigdemont until the Catalan parliament returns to normal activity.

01/17/2018

Catalan parliament sits for new session, electing Roger Torrent of the Republic Left of Catalonia (ERC) to be speaker. Three members vote remotely.

01/12/2018

Spain rejects the idea of Puigdemont governing remotely and threatens to sue if he does so.

01/10/2018

Catalan parliament re-elects Carles Puigdemont, who would have to govern via electronic communication from Belgium.

12/21/2017

In a special election, parties in favor of Catalan independence win a majority in regional parliament. However, Citizens Party, which favors unification, holds the most seats of any single party.

12/06/2017

Carles Puigdemont says he will remain in Belgium until further notice.

12/05/2017

Spain withdraws arrest warrant for Puigdemont, who remains in Belgium, and releases some of the Catalan officials. Regional elections are to be held on 12/21, and some of the Catalan separatist officials are trying to run, either from abroad, in jail, or in the region. However, the charges of sedition and rebellion remain.

11/08/2017

Spain Constitutional Court rules Catalan secession illegal.

11/04/2017

Belgian court allows Catalans to stay without imprisonment until court hearing.

11/04/2017

Belgian court allows Catalans to stay without imprisonment until court hearing.

11/02/2017

Nine members of Catalan regional government imprisoned.

11/02/2017

11/2/17. Spain requests an EU arrest warrant for Puigdemont and four others, cabinet members, all in Belgium.

11/01/2017

Puigdemont’s lawyer says he is unlikely to return to Spain to testify.

10/31/2017

Former Catalan Pres Puigdemont travels to Belgium with many of his cabinet; he denies reports that he is seeking asylum there.

10/30/2017

10/30/17. Spain prosecutor to seek charges of rebellion, sedition, and embezzlement against members of Catalan government.

10/28/2017

Spain appoints Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría to oversee Catalonia. Puigdemont calls for peaceful resistance to the takeover, suggesting that current Catalan officials may try to continue their government.

10/27/2017

Catalan police force says it is operating normally, although its chief has been dismissed by Spain and that it will remain neutral.

10/26/2017

Spain takes control of Catalonia

Spanish parliament invokes Article 155 of the constitution, taking control of Catalonia, dismissing the current parliament, and calling for new elections 12/21

10/26/2017

Catalan parliament declares Catalonia an independent nation. The opposition boycotts the vote.

10/23/2017

Catalonia says it will defy takeover attempts. Spain schedules a Senate vote on Article 155 on 10/25.

10/21/2017

Spain moves ahead with Article 155 and calls for removal of Pres Puigdemont, the vice-president and the ministers and replacing them in new elections within six months. PM Rajoy emphasizes the economic difficulties for Catalan that independence would entail. Some companies have already planned to move out of Catalonia, Spain’s economic capital.

10/19/2017

Spain says it will invoke Article 155 of the constitution, allowing the government to take control of states when necessary to execute its responsibilities in extraordinary situations. It has never been invoked in any European country where such a provision exists. The clause says, “If a self-governing community does not fulfill the obligations imposed upon it by the constitution or other laws, or acts in a way that is seriously prejudicial to the general interest of Spain, the government, after having lodged a complaint with the president of the self-governing community and failed to receive satisfaction therefore, may, following approval granted by the overall majority of the senate, take all measures necessary to compel the community to meet said obligations, or to protect the above mentioned general interest.” Spanish PM Rajoy says he will hold a cabinet meeting on 10/21 and a Senate vote to initiate removing Catalonia's autonomy.

10/17/2017

Catalonia refuses to disavow independence vote.

10/12/2017

Spain demands that Catalonia to clarify its intentions by 10/16.

10/11/2017

Spain asks for clarification whether Catalonia has declared independence and threatens to suspend Catalan regional authority if it has.

10/10/2017

Catalan Pres. Puigdemont put independence on hold “for a few weeks” while he negotiates with the Spanish government.

10/08/2017

Demonstrations for and against Catalan independence, both in Catalonia and elsewhere in Spain.

10/05/2017

Constitutional Court suspends Catalan parliament while it considers a protest from the Socialist Party of Catalonia, preventing declaration or discussion of independence for now.

10/04/2017

Catalan leader Puigdemont calls for mediation with Spanish government, which has rejected direct talks. Pro-independence Catalan parties ask for a debate and vote in regional parliament on 10/9.

10/02/2017

EU declares outcome of Catalan referendum illegal, but condemns violence against voters.

10/02/2017

EU declares outcome of Catalan referendum illegal, but condemns violence against voters. Catalans go on one-day general strike to protest police violence.

10/01/2017

Catalonia independence referendum

Chaotic vote in Catalan results in claims of victory by both sides. Catalan officials declare that 2.3 million voted and 90% approved. Spanish government claims that the vote was disrupted. Catalan leader calls for a smooth process toward independence, but Spanish government refuses to recognize the vote.