Thousands across Spain demand equality on International Women's Day
Tens of thousands took to Madrid's streets on Saturday demanding equality between men and women as the world marked International Women's Day. There were also demonstrations in cities across Spain, including Seville and Barcelona, but heavy rain cancelled the event in Málaga.
With local authorities putting turnout at more than 25,000 people, many of the demonstrators spanning generations in the Spanish capital expressed fears of a rise in "ultra-reactionary" beliefs across the globe.
"The fight is far from finished," 67-year-old protester Rosa Munoz Alcala told AFP, calling for equal pay and representation in the corridors of power for women.
"We want real equality, not just a sham version of it."
Yet more rain on its way to Spain
After more than a week dominated by heavy rain and some floods in many parts of the country, yet more rainfall is on its way to Spain this week.
In fact, emergency services were called hundreds of times over the weekend as Storm Jana blocked roads and caused rivers to burst their banks, particularly in southern Spain.
Five regions are on yellow alert on Monday March 10th for heavy rain: Andalusia, Balearic Islands, Castilla y León, Extremadura and Murcia.
But it's on Wednesday March 12th when the stormiest weather is forecast to hit Spain - keep those umbrellas handy.
Spain to increase number of judges specialising in gender violence
The Spanish government is to boost the number of specialist gender violence judges.
Minister Félix Bolaños announced the move on Saturday to coincide with International Women's Day, confirming that judges who specialise in violence against women will be increased by 50 percent.
“The [judicial] sections on violence against women will deal with all cases of male violence against women with specialised judges,” he stated, adding a call for “safer environments and more protection” in order to have a “stronger” and “more feminist” justice system.
Property prices in Spain rise by biggest increase since 2007
Spanish house prices rose by an average of 8.4 percent in 2024, more than double the increase of the previous year (+4 percent) and the 11th consecutive year of rises.
This represents the biggest jump since 2007, just before the property market crash, when it rose by 9.8 percent.
This is according to new data from the House Price Index (HPI) published by Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE). The figures show that private housing increased by an average of €12,374 to €159,656 overall.
Spanish right weigh up moving European congress from Valencia to Madrid to avoid protests
Spain’s centre-right opposition party is considering moving an important European congress away from Valencia in order to avoid any potential protests or bad press following the Valencia floods.
Party leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and his team are reportedly exploring options ahead of the European PP congress scheduled to be held in the Mediterranean city in July.
The official reason is that the dates coincide with a plenary session in the Spanish Congress, but Spanish press reports that it may be moved to Madrid to avoid protests against regional President Carlos Mazón, a man widely blamed for the slow government response to the floods.
READ ALSO: Why Valencia's president is being blamed for Spain's flood devastation
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