Live News From Spain As It Happens

KING Felipe VI's annual Christmas Eve speech once again included a covert appeal to secessionist politicians, as well as raising concerns about young adults' struggle to afford housing and violence against women.

The monarch's 10^th festive speech since he ascended to the throne following his father, King Juan Carlos I's abdication, opened with his now-habitual references to the Spanish Constitution and a subtle reminder that without it, 'there is no freedom, there is no peace'.

Spain's Magna Carta, drawn up partly by Felipe VI's father as a guarantee the country would never again find itself in the grip of a dictatorship, establishes the autonomous governments of the nation's 17 semi-federal regions and two city-States of Ceuta and Melilla, whilst outlawing any action that 'threatens the unity' of the land.

This means the attempts made in 2017 to declare Catalunya an independent country were illegal, although fervid support for secession continues among the regional parties national president Pedro Sánchez was forced to strike deals with in order to take up office following the elections.

As a result, socialist (PSOE) leader Sánchez is in the difficult position of having to appease the wishes of secessionists without infringing the provisions of the Constitution, and leaving him open to criticism by the right-wing opposition.

The Monarchy is required to be politically neutral and, for reasons of protocol, must never state an opinion in public about the governing of the nation, meaning an appeal to 'everyone' to 'respect the Constitution' is as near as Felipe VI can get to showing his disapproval of attempts at secession.

But the Constitution – signed on December 6, 1978 and now 45 years old – goes far beyond independence politics, as King Felipe recalled its true purpose: That of 'allowing us to safeguard our way of life'.

“It guarantees and protects the rights of the people of Spain to think and express themselves freely and defend their views provided they respect others in doing so, receive an education, have a job, be protected from illness, access housing, form a family, access social assistance, and have a dignified retirement,” the Monarch recalled.

“Outside the Constitution, there is no democracy and our coexistence is impossible; there are no freedoms, only impositions; there is no law, only arbitrary rule. Outside the Constitution, there is no peace, there is no freedom,” he stated early on in his 11-minute discourse.

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'BRAVE' servicemen and women who will spend Christmas overseas are 'making Spain proud', president Pedro Sánchez assured them during his annual festive message via video-call.

Along with defence minister Margarita Robles and head of State for defence Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, the socialist (PSOE) leader spoke to many of the 12,054 troops posted abroad to wish them a merry Christmas, mindful of the fact that they were a long way from their families and that military duty did not stop for the Yuletide holiday.

An annual tradition, Spain's president always speaks live to soldiers serving outside the country to thank them for their personal sacrifices in the name of national security.

“In the name of Spanish society, we thank you all for the work you are carrying out beyond our borders in the quest for what we all wish for – world peace and stability,” Sánchez told the soldiers.

“Just a few days ago, we celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Your professionalism, your brave attitude in facing the challenges that arise in the course of duty on your missions, are a source of pride for all Spaniards – and, we have to tell you, of admiration, too.”

Sánchez referred to the 'colossal and formidable efforts' of those on Spanish overseas missions, largely in Lebanon, Latvia, Mali, and on the frigate Victoria based in the Indian Ocean.

Spain is involved in missions designed to protect Europe and the European Atlantic in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has led to soldiers being deployed this year in eastern border countries which are EU member States, such as Latvia, Estonia and Romania.

“We're ending 2023 in a world embroiled in numerous conflicts,” Spain's president recalled, “which, even here in Europe, are having a huge impact on the daily lives of ordinary residents.”

He described the Ukraine invasion, which began in February 2022, as a 'brutal conflict' that has 'already passed the 670 mark' of 'death, suffering and destruction'.

“More recently, the conflict in Gaza has turned our lives, our conscience, upside-down – those of the entire international community,” Sánchez added.

RESIDENTIAL property sales have been shrinking consistently throughout 2023, but latest figures show this trend is relenting.

The most recent data available from the National Statistics Institute (INE) are up to and including the month of October, and reveal an increase of 4% in estate agency market activity from September 2023.

Decline in sales and purchases is directly related to soaring Eurozone interest rates, which have now had an impact on all annually-reviewed variable-rate mortgages in Spain.

So far, the 11.1% fall in transactions in October 2023 based upon the same month last year has been one of the least dramatic since January, INE figures reveal.

On average, home sales have fallen year on year in 2023 by 8.7%, almost entirely due to the huge increases in the Euribor – the interest rate that applies to the common currency.

October 2023 saw 45,903 residential properties bought and sold, of which pre-owned homes made up around eight in 10 of the total – 37,056 overall - but which were down 13.5% on October 2022 figures.

New build sales increased very slightly year on year to a total of 8,847, being a rise of 0.8%.

Although Euribor rate hikes do not affect those buying property in cash, the dramatic rise in interest has led potential buyers to stall their plans if they need a mortgage, given the extra expense involved and the likelihood of having to moderate their home-purchasing ambitions.

Euribor below 4% and frozen for second consecutive month

The European Central Bank (BCE), led by former International Monetary Fund (FMI) chairwoman Christine Lagarde, has opted to freeze rates for December – the second consecutive month with no increases.

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LEARNING to drive may sound as thrilling as it is daunting, but can be one of the most frustrating times in a young adult's life – and one of the most expensive, too.

In Spain, you cannot start learning until you're 18 – unlike in, for example, the USA, where you can get your drivers' licence at 16, or in the UK, where you can start working towards your test at age 17.

Also, whilst some countries allow trainee drivers to practice in between lessons – perhaps in an older friend's or parent's car with L-plates attached – even on real roads in some cases, doing this in Spain is a criminal offence. A pupil caught practising, whether on an actual road or on an empty industrial estate or car park, will be treated at law in the same way as any other motorist found driving without a valid licence or after a ban. Effectively, a learner could find themselves with a driving ban as a result, before they have even passed their test.

In some countries, student drivers can save a fortune by getting their parents or another trusted adult to teach them in their own car – again, with L-plates – rather than having lessons with an accredited instructor. It may take longer, and perhaps lead to heated arguments, but is much cheaper. In Spain, though, you are not allowed: Only a registered instructor from a licensed driving academy, using an academy car, can teach you.

Read more at thinkSPAIN.com