On 13 May, the Council of Ministers approved a draft law to change how judges and prosecutors are selected, sending it to parliament for debate. The government says the proposals aim to modernize the judicial system and would mark the first major reform in 40 years. Currently, candidates must pass a highly competitive national exam known as the oposición, which requires years of unpaid preparation. The reform would introduce alternative paths, such as considering prior professional experience and providing financial support like scholarships to reduce economic barriers to preparation. The proposal would also shift responsibility for criminal investigations from judges to prosecutors. Supporters argue the changes would make these careers more accessible and diverse by lowering financial burdens for aspiring candidates. Critics, however, warn that transferring investigative powers to prosecutors could threaten judicial independence, since prosecutors ultimately report to the executive.

Sources: Spanish Council of Ministers, Cinco Días, El País, Europa Press

On 5 April, tens of thousands of people marched across 39 cities to protest the soaring cost of housing and the growing difficulty of affording rent or buying a home. Organizers estimated 150,000 participants in Madrid and over 100,000 in Barcelona alone, while local authorities cited lower numbers. The protests were organized by tenants’ unions, neighborhood associations, and other civil society groups to denounce the lack of affordable housing, the sharp rise in property and rental prices, and speculation in the real estate market, especially in urban areas. Protesters called for measures such as rent caps, stronger protections for tenants, and stricter regulations on short-term tourist rentals. Earlier this year, the government unveiled a national housing policy plan ("Plan Estatal de Vivienda") that includes expanding the public housing stock and offering rental subsidies, with a focus on improving access for the most vulnerable populations. 

Sources: El País, Associated Press, Telecinco, RTVE, El Confidencial 

On 19 November, the Council of Ministers approved new immigration regulations to simplify residency and work permit processes for foreign nationals. A key change reduces the required continuous stay from three years to two for obtaining a residence permit based on "arraigo" (rootedness, reflecting ties to Spain). The decree will also make it easier for undocumented migrants to regularize their status, including those denied international protection. Migrants will receive an initial one-year work permit, renewable for four-year periods, while job-seeking visas will be extended from three months to one year. Family reunification rules are relaxed, raising the eligible age for children from 21 to 26, and allowing non-registered couples to apply. The updated regulations take effect on 20 May 2025, and the government expects the changes will regularize the status of 300,000 people per year over the next three years.

Sources: Boletin Oficial del Estado, Ministerio de Inclusion, Seguridad Social y Migraciones, El Pais  

As of 31 October, severe flooding in southern and eastern Spain had resulted in the deaths of 158 people. Experts pointed to poor urban planning and outdated infrastructure, which allowed settlement in high-risk areas, as major contributing factors. According to climate experts, climate change exacerbated the storms, leading to flash flooding after prolonged droughts that left the ground unable to absorb the water. The Defense Ministry deployed the military to facilitate rescue operations, and in Valencia, Spain’s third most populous city, the local government reported a large number of citizens’ solidarity initiatives. Regional authorities were criticised for delayed and inadequate warnings, as well as a lack of clear instructions for those at risk, leading to discussions about augmenting risk preparedness and emergency coordination. 

Sources: El Pais, France24, BBC, Politico, Generalitat Valenciana