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Rail cars loaded with steel sit at the ThyssenKrupp Schwelgern steel plant on May 30, 2018 in Duisburg, Germany. 

Economics

Politics

The European Union and the United States will increase efforts to deconflict their trade and climate policies ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential and EU parliamentary elections, but lingering disagreements will not allow for a complete respite of Trump-era tariffs on EU steel and aluminum.

EU-U.S. Steel and Aluminum Negotiations Make Limited Headway

The leader of Spain's center-right People's Party, Alberto Nunez Feijoo (center), and other top party officials answer questions during a post-election press conference in Madrid on July 24, 2023.

Catalan and Basque parties will be the kingmaker in likely lengthy coalition talks that could result in a revote, prolonging political uncertainty and policymaking paralysis.

An Inconclusive Election Leaves Spain's Government in Limbo

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A vandalized billboard promoting Spain's far-right Vox party with an image of its leader is seen near Madrid on July 19, 2023. 

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Spain Holds a High-Stakes Election, African Leaders Visit Russia

Alberto Nunez Feijoo (center, white shirt), the leader of Spain's right-wing People's Party, gestures to supporters at a campaign rally in Burgos, Spain, on July 13, 2023.

If the July 23 vote yields a right-wing government as polls suggest, the risk of social unrest, Catalan secessionism and tense EU relations will increase.

Previewing Spain's General Election

Media

Podcasts

Essential Geopolitics: Spain's Early General Election

Supporters of Spain's center-right Popular Party (PP) gather outside the PP's headquarters in Madrid on May 28, 2023, to celebrate the party's strong performance in recent regional elections. 

The July 23 snap general ballot could yield a PP-Vox coalition that reverses some of Spain's fiscal policies, disrupts its EU presidency and increases the risk of social unrest.


In Spain, an Early Election Opens the Door to a Right-Wing Government

Leaders of the Council of the European Union, the bloc’s main decision-making body, hold a meeting in Brussels, Belgium in March 2017.

Spain's proposal to nix unanimity voting on strategic EU decisions will run up against resistance from smaller states that want to preserve their veto power.

In the EU, a New Push To Streamline Foreign Policy Decisions Emerges

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks at a campaign rally in Seville for his Socialist Party (PSOE) on May 13, 2023, ahead of the country's May 28 regional and municipal elections. 

The May 28 ballot will result in fragmented local legislatures and increase the far-right Vox party's influence ahead of the general election later this year.

Spain's Regional Elections Will Offer a Glimpse Into the Makeup of Its Next Government

Uganda

Brazil

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U.S. and South Korean flags are waved March 10, 2015, in Seoul, South Korea.

Social Issues

The Weekly Rundown: South Korea's President Meets Biden, Lula Pushes Spain on EU Trade

A photograph taken on March 16, 2023, shows Lake Serre-Poncon partially dry, near Embrun, in the French Alps. 

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Increasingly severe droughts and water shortages brought on by climate change will serve as a multiplier for Europe's energy, agricultural, industrial and socio-economic challenges. 

Europe's Scorching Summer and Warm Winter Portend a New Normal

China

Taiwan

Riot police walk past a street fire during violent clashes over the government's reform of the pension system March 23, 2023, in Paris. As protests against French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to approve a controversial pensions reform without a vote in the National Assembly continue, the country's main trade unions will hold a general strike March 28. 

Military & Security

The Weekly Rundown: Spain's Prime Minister in China, Anti-Government Protests in France

U.S.-China Relations

A driver waves a Spanish flag from his car during an anti-government demonstration organized by Spain's far-right Vox party in Malaga on Oct. 12, 2020. 

Internal crises in Spain's center-left government are harming its prospects ahead of regional elections in May, which will open the door to a right-wing victory in the December general elections.

Fractures in Spain's Government Give Right-Wing Parties an Edge Ahead of Elections

Ukraine

An internal paper for European leaders prepared by Spain warns the European Union could become as dependent on Chinese lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells by 2030 as it was on Russian oil and natural gas before the Ukraine war, Reuters reported Sept. 17 after obtaining a draft of the paper.

EU: Report Warns European Union of Dependency on Chinese EV and Battery Tech by 2030 

Tunisia

Tunisia launched a new crackdown on migrant workers over the weekend, pushing up to 500 migrants out of the city of Sfax just south of the capital of Tunis, France 24 reported on Sept. 17. 

Tunisia, EU: Tunisia Continues Crackdown as EU Skepticism of Migrant Deal Remains

King Felipe VI of Spain formally nominated the leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), Alberto Nunez Feijoo, for an investiture vote in the Congress of Deputies, El Pais reported on Aug. 22. 

Spain: King Felipe Proposes Conservative Leader for Investiture Vote, Though His Chances Are Low

Spain's lower house of parliament appointed Socialist party member Francina Armengol as the chamber's speaker, with 178 votes in favor out of 350, El Mundo reported on Aug. 17.

Spain: Cooperation From Catalan Secessionists May Help Sanchez Secure Premiership

Australia

Free trade talks between the European Union and Australia hit a roadblock as the two sides' trade representatives failed to resolve a dispute over quotas for access to Australian farm products such as lamb, sugar, dairy and especially beer into the EU market, the Financial Times reported July 11.

EU, Australia: Trade Talks Hit Another Roadblock Over Meat Quotas

The European Parliament voted in favor of the EU Nature Restoration Law, the European Commission's proposal to restore degraded land and biodiversity within the bloc, with supporters of the law narrowly defeating an attempt by conservative groups to sink it, Euractiv reported on July 12.

EU: European Parliament Backs EU Nature Restoration Law by Narrow Margin

European Union (EU) member states clashed over how to reform the bloc’s fiscal framework, known as the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), during a meeting of EU finance ministers in Luxembourg, Reuters reported on June 16.

EU: Member States Divided Over Bloc's Fiscal and Debt Rules Reform

Spain's conservative People’s Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party agreed to govern together in the Valencian Community, Spain's fourth most populous autonomous community, following a strong performance in the country's May 28 regional and municipal elections, El Mundo reported on June 13.

Spain: Regional Coalition Deal Offers Preview of Madrid's Next Possible Government

Afghanistan

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Antigua and Barbuda

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A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Angola

Argentina

Armenia

Bahrain

Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources.

Barbados

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Iraq

The President palace in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The administrative center of the Gakh region of Azerbaijan, located at the foot of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, on the river Kurhumchai.

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Mir Castle in the Minsk region of Belarus.

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Chad

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Comoros

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Japan

A horse grazes in front of Kara-Kul lake in the Chon-Ak-Suu valley, 300 kilometers southeast of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Morocco

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Malaysia

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Mongolia

<p>Spain is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, France, the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Spain is separated from France by the Pyrenees, a protective mountain barrier between the two countries. The Strait of Gibraltar divides Spain from Africa, which at its narrowest is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) wide. This eased the invasion of the Moors in the eighth century during the rise of the Islamic caliphate. The Arab presence lasted until the end of the 15th century, when Christian Spanish kingdoms unified modern Spain. This unification helped Spain compete with other maritime powers such as the United Kingdom and continental powers like France. Spain&rsquo;s access to the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic, along with its need for natural resources, promoted its consolidation into one of the greatest naval and colonial powers of Europe. While Spain has had external challenges, its main geographic challenge comes from within. Spain&rsquo;s core is Madrid, the country&rsquo;s capital, most populated city and political center. Madrid sits on Spain&rsquo;s Meseta Central and was chosen as the capital in the 16th century to allow more centralized control of the country. But Spain&rsquo;s mountainous terrain has historically determined its political life by hindering communication between different regions within the country. This geography has led to the emergence of regionalist and separatist movements, especially in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Spain&rsquo;s challenge, then, is to bring about a truly united nation with a balance of power between the central government in Madrid and the autonomous regions, especially as Catalonia.</p>

SITUATION REPORTS

EU: Report Warns European Union of Dependency on Chinese EV and Battery Tech by 2030

Tunisia, EU: Tunisia Continues Crackdown as EU Skepticism of Migrant Deal Remains

Spain: King Felipe Proposes Conservative Leader for Investiture Vote, Though His Chances Are Low

Spain: Cooperation From Catalan Secessionists May Help Sanchez Secure Premiership

EU, Australia: Trade Talks Hit Another Roadblock Over Meat Quotas

EU: European Parliament Backs EU Nature Restoration Law by Narrow Margin

EU: Member States Divided Over Bloc's Fiscal and Debt Rules Reform

Spain: Regional Coalition Deal Offers Preview of Madrid's Next Possible Government

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