Pedro Sánchez

Rule Changes

Managing the Ceuta crisis and the Schengen dispute with Italy

For decades, a traveler could fly from Rome to Madrid without showing a passport. On August 9, that stopped. Spain began checking the documents of people arriving from Italy, matching controls Italy had imposed nine days earlier.

Updated 2 hours ago

Rule Changes

In office since 2018; calls the case a politically motivated smear

A Madrid judge ordered Begoña Gómez to stand trial for influence peddling, business corruption, and embezzlement of public funds; he also took her passport and barred her from leaving Spain. Juan Carlos Barrabés Cónsul and María Cristina Álvarez Rodríguez were also sent to trial in the same ruling.

Updated Jun 22

Rule Changes

Leading EU's most aggressive diplomatic confrontation with Israel

Spain has maintained an ambassador in Israel for over four decades. On March 11, 2026, it formally downgraded the Tel Aviv embassy to a chargé d'affaires—a lower-ranking diplomat signaling deep structural disagreement. The decree, signed by King Felipe VI and Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, made Spain the first major EU member to permanently withdraw its ambassador.

Updated May 30

Rule Changes

Leading EU push for social media regulation

Spain became the first European country to announce a ban on social media for children under 16, joining Australia, France, and Denmark. At the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 3, 2026, Sánchez unveiled five measures. These include mandatory age verification systems that go beyond simple checkboxes and criminal liability for tech executives who fail to remove illegal content.

Updated May 27

Built World

Declared three days of national mourning

Spain's high-speed rail network had operated without a fatal accident on dedicated lines for 34 years. On January 18, 2026, an Iryo train from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz and hit a Renfe Alvia service head-on, killing 45 and injuring 292.

Updated May 22

Rule Changes

Governs in minority, weakened by Andalusia result

Andalusia voted Sunday to return Juanma Moreno's center-right People's Party (PP) to power with an absolute majority. The PP took roughly 56 to 59 of 109 seats in Spain's most populous region, enough to govern alone for another four-year term.

Updated May 17