Government of Spain

Spain's ruling People's Party (PP) took a battering in regional and local elections on May 24 after voters punished Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for four years of severe spending cuts and a string of corruption scandals.

Spaniards started voting May 24 for mayors and regional leaders in a key test for new protest parties that could herald a historic change in Spain's political landscape ahead of a general election.

Spanish authorities launched an investigation of former IMF chief Rodrigo Rato on allegations of fraud and money laundering.

Rato was taken from his home in Madrid on Thursday by officers from Spanish tax authorities, while police searched his home and office, the BBC reports.

Mariano Rajoy sent the Greek government and Alexis Tsipras a clear message on Monday, namely, that the EU has its own rules and that none can make their own.  However, he said he remained hopeful that Greece will quickly overcome the situation it finds itself in.

Vucic offers condolences to Merkel and Rajoy

BELGRADE -- Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic expressed his condolences to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

His message came following a plane crash in the French Alps that killed nationals of the two countries on Tuesday.

Spain will reportedly suspend its activities in the "Alliance of Civilizations," jointly launched by Turkey and Spain in 2005.

The Spanish government has issued an order to not to give importance to the meetings, Do?an News Agency reported, arguing that the initiative" has lost its significance."

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Wednesday threw his weight behind his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras ahead of general elections on January 25 while stressing the need for Greece to stay the course of economic reforms.

In an extraordinary demonstration of global unity, some 40 leaders from around the world have gathered together at the French presidential palace on Sunday to take part in the Paris Unity rally in the memory of the victims of this week's jihadist attacks.

Catalonia: "Informal vote" instead of referendum

BARCELONA -- The Catalans have postponed their referendum on independence scheduled for November 9, and will instead on that day "hold an informal vote."

Catalonia's regional government has decided to call off the November referendum on independence from Spain.

Following a meeting between pro-independence parties and the regional government, officials said on Monday that they have decided that the referendum, planned for November 9, cannot be carried out.