Claudi Pérez

The statesman who was president of the European Commision between 2014 and 2019 is writing his memoirs. In his office at the executive branch of the EU, he argues that the combined shock of Trumpism and the invasion of Ukraine is forcing Europe into a geopolitical awakening. ‘The era of Trump, Putin, and Xi,’ he declares, ‘forces Europe to defend itself’ 

The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy calls on member states to increase and accelerate aid to Ukraine

The head of European diplomacy thinks that the EU’s aid to Ukraine has been too gradual. He also spoke with EL PAÍS about the explosive situation in the Sahel region after the military coup in Niger: ‘It’s the moment of truth for Africa’

The latest prolongation of the job retention program, which around 600,000 workers are still on, will cost an additional €3.4 billion in public funds

Several data points suggest the country is beginning to bounce back after the devastating effects of the coronavirus crisis, but progress could be delayed by epidemiological and political setbacks

The US president has been more ambitious than European leaders in seeking to kick-start the economy with an unprecedented program of stimulus packages

In a recommendation to the OECD, Berlin asks for cuts “sooner rather than later” despite widespread global support for continued stimulation of coronavirus-hit economies

EL PAÍS chronicles the days running up to the spring lockdown and what came after in an era that some ministers describe as the worst of their lives

The non-refundable payouts are part of a larger €11 billion fund announced two weeks ago to stimulate the economy and prevent a wave of corporate insolvencies as the Covid-19 crisis rages on

A report seen by EL PAÍS admits the negative impact on growth of support measures that could include more direct aid to fend off a potential wave of insolvencies

Protests are breaking out in locations housing migrant centers, and some residents are organizing themselves into vigilante groups

The European Commission is asking countries to commit to structural changes to address deep-seated problems such as soaring debt and an over-reliance on temporary contracts

With interest rates near zero and soaring public debt, the Spanish government would rather focus on the non-repayable grants than on the loans it is entitled to - and it is not the only one

PM Pedro Sánchez calls it “the greatest mobilization of resources in the country’s entire democratic history”

The measure will allow the authorities to limit the movement of citizens and to ration the use of services in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus

EL PAÍS has had access to details of the policies the parties will implement should their planned coalition government become a reality next week

Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is working on a new strategy to win the support of the anti-austerity party Unidas Podemos, which refused to back his investiture bid in July

The lack of a stable government means the state cannot release the additional money that the regions had promised to spend on public healthcare and education

The EU is hoping for a “stable” majority after nearly five years without solid governments, says one high-ranking official

But the success of the socially progressive budget plan depends on uncertain support from Brussels and from Catalan separatists

New criteria to allocate money from EU 2021-2027 budget favors southern European countries

Living conditions are tough in border town of Cúcuta, across from the Simón Bolívar bridge

Pending ratification, Luis de Guindos will become Mario Draghi’s number two after the only other candidate, the head of the Bank of Ireland, stepped aside