Thousands of protesters filled the streets of Madrid on Saturday demanding the resignation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The demonstration, organized by the Spanish Civil Society Association, saw participants from the opposition People’s Party and the far-right Vox party. Clashes broke out when protesters attempted to breach security barriers near Sánchez’s official residence, Moncloa Palace, leaving at least seven police officers injured. Police arrested three individuals during the unrest.

The protests erupted after a Spanish court announced an investigation into former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, a close ally of Sánchez, on charges of influence peddling and money laundering. Zapatero has denied all allegations. The development has reignited political tensions in Spain, where Sánchez previously faced scrutiny in 2024 over corruption allegations involving his wife, which he dismissed as politically motivated.

Organizers claimed around 80,000 people joined the protest, while government officials in Madrid estimated the turnout at about 40,000, reflecting differing accounts of the scale of public dissent.

Real Madrid closed their La Liga season with a 4-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu, marking an emotional night filled with both celebration and farewells. The match, held on May 24, 2026, saw goals from Gonzalo García, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Brahim Díaz for the home side, while Gorka Guruzeta and Urko Izeta scored for Bilbao.

Beyond the scoreline, the evening was defined by the departures of two long-serving players, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba. Both received standing ovations and a guard of honor from teammates as they were substituted in their final appearances for the club. Coaches Álvaro Arbeloa and Ernesto Valverde also stood on the touchline for the last time, adding to the night’s sentiment.

Despite the win, Real Madrid finished the season as runners-up behind Barcelona. The victory, however, provided fans and players with a memorable conclusion to the campaign, blending triumph with heartfelt goodbyes.

Barcelona ended their La Liga season as champions but suffered a 3-1 defeat to Valencia in their final match, which also marked Robert Lewandowski’s farewell appearance for the club. The Polish striker opened the scoring after an hour of play, calmly finishing inside the box to give Barcelona the lead.

Valencia quickly turned the game around within five minutes. Javi Guerra equalized with a fine finish, and Luis Rioja put the hosts ahead 2-1 following an attack created by Jesus Vazquez. Barcelona tried to recover but failed to find another goal. A potential penalty for Valencia was overturned after VAR confirmed the foul occurred outside the box.

In stoppage time, Guido Rodriguez sealed Valencia’s victory with a long-range strike. Despite the win, Valencia missed out on European qualification as Getafe and Rayo Vallecano both won their respective matches. For Barcelona, the season closed with a loss and an emotional farewell for Lewandowski.

The Spanish High Court has ruled in favor of pop star Shakira in a long-running tax dispute, canceling a €55 million fine and ordering the Spanish tax authority to return approximately €60 million to her with interest. The court found that the amount had been collected following a 2011 tax disagreement. According to court documents, the dispute centered on whether Shakira qualified as a tax resident of Spain that year.

Under Spanish law, an individual must reside in the country for at least 183 days in a year to be considered a tax resident. Reports cited by the court indicated that Shakira spent only 163 days in Spain in 2011, meaning she was not legally required to pay Spanish taxes for that period. The ruling, issued in mid-April, became public on April 18.

Shakira’s lawyer, José Luis Prada, said the decision came after eight years of hardship, highlighting flaws in the administrative process. The case had drawn attention due to similar tax issues previously faced by her former husband, ex-footballer Gerard Piqué.

Barcelona defeated Real Betis 3–1 at Spotify Camp Nou on May 18, 2026, marking a historic night for the club. The victory not only sealed a perfect home record across all 38 La Liga matches but also became the first such achievement in Spanish football history. The evening was further marked by an emotional farewell from Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who played his final home match for the Catalan side.

Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in 2022 during the club’s financial crisis, won seven trophies including three La Liga titles over four years. Wearing the captain’s armband, the 37-year-old was substituted in the 85th minute and waved tearfully to fans. Teammates Raphinha, Pedri, and Araújo honored him by ensuring he captained the match, while coach Hansi Flick praised him as both a world-class player and a remarkable person.

Although this was his last home appearance, Lewandowski is set to play one final match for Barcelona next week against Valencia, closing a memorable chapter in his career.

Spain has emerged as one of the most vocal European critics of Israel’s war in Gaza, a stance that has placed Madrid at odds with the United States and several of Washington’s allies. Alongside its criticism, Spain has renewed calls for the creation of a permanent European Union army, urging Europe to reduce its military dependence on the United States.

The situation has raised questions about the current state of relations between Washington and Madrid, as well as Spain’s position among U.S. allies. In an interview on Al Jazeera’s ‘UpFront’ program this week, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares discussed Spain’s foreign policy, its commitment to international law, and the present condition of its relationship with the United States.

The discussion highlights Spain’s effort to balance its foreign policy principles with its transatlantic partnerships amid growing divisions over the Gaza conflict.

Spain has announced its withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a video message on Friday that Spain cannot remain silent in the face of what he described as genocide in Gaza and an illegal war in Lebanon. He emphasized that the decision reflects Spain’s commitment to human rights and international law.

Sánchez described the move by Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE to skip the contest as consistent and necessary, stating that it was taken to stand against injustice. He argued that the same principle used to exclude Russia after the Ukraine war should apply to Israel, insisting there should be no double standards. According to Sánchez, Eurovision symbolizes peace, unity, and Europe’s diversity, but silence in the face of war and atrocities is not an option.

He added that several other countries, including Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, have taken similar positions. The 2026 Eurovision contest began on May 12, with the grand final scheduled for Saturday.

A political controversy erupted during Barcelona’s championship parade in May 2026 when young Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal was seen waving a Palestinian flag amid celebrations in the city. The event, attended by around 750,000 fans, followed Barcelona’s 2–0 victory over Real Madrid that secured their second consecutive La Liga title. Yamal’s gesture, alongside a playful jab at Real Madrid, drew international attention.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reacted sharply on social media, accusing Yamal of inciting hatred and arguing that displaying the Palestinian flag sent the wrong message while Israel was at war with Hamas. Katz referenced the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, alleging atrocities against Jewish civilians.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez swiftly defended Yamal, calling Katz’s remarks misguided and asserting that showing solidarity with Palestinians reflected the feelings of many Spaniards. Spain’s government has long criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, and public sympathy for Palestinians remains strong across Spanish society and sports. Yamal’s act has since inspired widespread support online, with many praising his humanitarian stance.

Barcelona celebrated a double triumph after defeating Real Madrid 2–0 at Camp Nou and securing their second consecutive La Liga title. The victory marked a historic record for the Catalan club, becoming the first team to win the Spanish league title in such fashion. The celebration included a traditional open-top bus parade through the city, attended by around 750,000 fans.

During the parade, young player Lamine Yamal drew attention by waving a Palestinian flag amid the crowd’s jubilation. Many interpreted the gesture as a symbolic message of support for the Palestinian people and their rights. The moment quickly went viral on social media, sparking varied reactions among supporters.

At one point in the procession, Yamal also held up a jersey reading, “Thank God I’m not a Madridista,” reflecting the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. In a statement, Barcelona said the city’s streets turned into a sea of blue and red as fans celebrated another chapter of success in the club’s history.

A Russian cargo ship named Ursa Major sank about 60 miles off the Spanish coast on December 23, 2024, following multiple unexplained explosions. According to a CNN investigative report, the vessel was likely carrying two nuclear reactors intended for North Korean submarines. The incident has been described as potentially indicating direct Western military intervention to prevent Russia from transferring advanced nuclear technology to its ally North Korea.

Fourteen Russian crew members survived and were taken to the port city of Cartagena, where Spanish police questioned them. Opposition lawmakers said the ship’s captain initially refused to discuss the cargo but later admitted that items listed as “manhole covers” were actually parts of submarine nuclear reactors. The ship’s owner, Oboronlogistics, later called the event a “planned terrorist attack,” reporting three explosions and a 50-by-50-centimeter inward-bent hole in the hull.

CNN’s report added that the damage might have been caused by a Barracuda supercavitating torpedo, a weapon known to exist only in a few countries, including the United States, some NATO allies, Russia, and Iran.

Barcelona secured their 29th La Liga title by defeating archrival Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clasico on May 11, 2026. The victory, achieved with three matches remaining, ensured the Catalan club’s second consecutive league triumph under coach Hansi Flick. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres in the first half sealed the win, leaving Barcelona 14 points clear at the top of the table and mathematically out of Real Madrid’s reach.

The match carried emotional weight for Flick, who received news of his father’s death just before kickoff. Both teams wore black armbands and observed a minute of silence before the game. After the final whistle, Barcelona players and staff celebrated on the pitch, lifting the La Liga trophy before their home supporters at Camp Nou.

This was only the second time in La Liga history that an El Clasico result directly determined the league champion. Flick, who replaced Xavi Hernández in 2024, has now guided Barcelona to five trophies in two seasons, including two La Liga titles, two Spanish Supercopas, and one Copa del Rey. The club also set a new record by scoring in 55 consecutive matches.

The Spanish government has announced a major initiative under its 2026 Regularization Project to grant legal residency and work rights to eligible irregular migrants living in the country. The program aims to integrate undocumented workers into Spain’s formal economy, allowing them to live and work legally. Participants will gain access to employment opportunities, social security registration, and the national healthcare system on par with regular citizens.

Under the plan, legalized migrants will also be able to travel visa-free within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, the permit will remain a national authorization, meaning it will not allow permanent residence, employment, or free healthcare in other EU member states. Migrants wishing to stay long-term elsewhere in the EU must apply under that country’s immigration laws.

Similar policy shifts are emerging across Europe. Italy plans to issue work permits to 500,000 non-EU citizens between 2026 and 2028 to address labor shortages, while Germany is focusing on recruiting skilled workers and caregivers.

Real Madrid extended the La Liga title race by defeating Espanyol 2–0 away on May 4, 2026. After a goalless first half, Vinicius Junior scored twice in the second half to secure a vital win for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. With 34 matches played, Real now have 77 points, maintaining an 11-point gap behind Barcelona, who sit on 88. The result postponed Barcelona’s potential title celebration by at least another week.

Barcelona’s previous victory over Osasuna had put pressure on Real Madrid, as a draw or loss in this match would have confirmed Barcelona as champions. However, Real’s win kept their slim hopes alive. The upcoming El Clasico on May 10 is now expected to play a decisive role in determining the league title, with Barcelona needing only a draw to clinch their 29th championship.

Espanyol’s defeat ended their faint hopes of qualifying for European competition. Despite a strong start to the season, they remain winless in 2026, recording six draws and ten losses in 16 matches.

Barcelona edged closer to the Spanish league title with a 2-1 victory over Osasuna on May 3, 2026. The Catalan club secured the win in a dramatic finish, with all three goals coming in the final seven minutes of the match. Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 81st minute after combining well with Marcus Rashford, followed by Ferran Torres doubling the lead in the 86th minute. Osasuna’s Raul Garcia pulled one back in the 89th minute, but Barcelona held on for the win.

The result puts Barcelona 14 points ahead of Real Madrid with four matches remaining in the season. This gives them a chance to clinch the league title as early as tonight, depending on Real Madrid’s result against Espanyol. If Real fail to win, Barcelona will be confirmed as champions. Otherwise, the title race will continue for another week.

The two rivals are set to meet again on May 10 in El Clasico, a match that could ultimately decide the fate of the league title.

Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been handed a 13-match suspension following a violent incident during the Aragonese derby between Real Zaragoza and Huesca in Spain’s second division. The altercation occurred late in Sunday’s match when Andrada pushed Huesca defender Jorge Pulido near the touchline, earning a second yellow card and a dismissal. As he left the field, Andrada ran back and punched Pulido, sparking a brawl involving players and staff from both teams.

Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez retaliated by striking Andrada on the back of the head, and both he and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende were also shown red cards. Huesca went on to win the match 1–0, a crucial result in the relegation battle between the two struggling sides.

The Spanish Football Federation described Andrada’s actions as serious misconduct, imposing a one-match ban for the red card and an additional 12 matches for the punch, along with financial penalties for both the player and his club. Andrada later apologized, expressing regret for his behavior and vowing not to repeat such actions.