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23.04.2025

Pope's Body Lies in State as Coalition Fractures Over Defense Spending

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Spain for 23.04.2025.

It displays 105 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

23.04.2025 ⇢ Pope's Body Lies in State as Coalition Fractures Over Defense Spending
⌨Pope Francis's body was moved to St. Peter's Basilica for a three-day public viewing, with nearly 20,000 mourners paying respects on the first day. The Vatican considered extending viewing hours due to massive crowds, with reports highlighting flood victims traveling to Rome for the farewell.

Prime Minister Sánchez's €10.47 billion defense spending increase, announced yesterday to meet NATO's 2% GDP target, created the coalition's deepest crisis. United Left (IU) threatened to leave the government over both military spending and weapons purchases from Israel, a deal the government had previously promised to cancel. Sumar, the larger junior coalition partner, refused to consider leaving despite disagreements.

Meanwhile, Barcelona celebrated Sant Jordi Day with record attendance, with authors Javier Cercas, Xavier Bosch, and María Dueñas leading book sales in the festive atmosphere that filled city streets under sunny skies.
23.04.2025
24.04.2025

00:11 (22:11)⇢Sánchez's €10.47 Billion Defense Plan Widens Coalition Rift

⌨The newspapers extensively cover Prime Minister Sánchez's defense spending plan, with multiple outlets reporting on the €10.47 billion increase to reach NATO's 2% GDP target this year (El Periódico, El Español, infoLibre, La Marea, Libertad Digital). Several sources note political tensions around the plan, highlighting skepticism about its strategic foundations (El Confidencial) and growing distance between Sánchez and his coalition allies (Público, Libertad Digital). In parallel, coverage continues of Pope Francis's funeral, scheduled for Saturday (RTVE, La Razón, El Mundo), with reports that Spanish faithful are traveling to Rome to pay tribute (El Mundo), while noting Sánchez will be the only major leader absent (20minutos).
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04:44 (02:44)⇢Sánchez Bypasses Congress for €10 Billion Defense Boost

⌨The newspapers continue extensive coverage of Spain's defense spending increase, with newer headlines focusing on Prime Minister Sánchez's willingness to govern without a budget until 2027 after increasing military spending by €10.47 billion without Congressional approval (El Español, La Marea). Coalition partner Sumar explicitly rejected this "exorbitant" increase during a Council of Ministers meeting (La Marea). Meanwhile, Pope Francis's funeral preparations continue, with reports detailing Saturday's ceremony (RTVE, El Mundo) and examining the unusually diverse group of cardinals he appointed. Cultural coverage includes Sant Jordi celebrations, with La Vanguardia highlighting pre-festival events that "nobody should miss" ahead of the traditional book and rose day.
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07:18 (05:18)⇢Pope's Body Moved to St. Peter's as Succession Debates Begin

⌨The newspapers extensively cover two main topics. First, Pope Francis's body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica today for public viewing by the faithful (RTVE, 20minutos). Analysis continues of his papacy, with the former director of L'Osservatore Romano describing Francis as "profoundly absolutist" (El Confidencial) and reports detailing how he appointed 80% of the cardinals who will elect his successor, though some organized a "counter-conclave" in 2023 (El Mundo). Second, Prime Minister Sánchez continues facing scrutiny for his defense spending increase, with reports he's willing to govern without a budget until 2027 after boosting military spending by €10.47 billion without Congressional approval (El Español, El País, infoLibre).
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09:27 (07:27)⇢Pope's Body Lies in State as Faithful Queue

⌨The newspapers extensively cover Pope Francis's body being transferred to St. Peter's Basilica for the public to pay respects until Friday (El Confidencial, El Mundo, El Periódico, La Razón, RTVE). Reports detail where he will be buried - a niche between the Pauline and Sforza Chapels (El Mundo). Meanwhile, political coverage focuses on Prime Minister Sánchez facing NATO's requirements without support from either coalition partners or opposition, with Sumar openly opposing increased military spending as "belligerent rearmament" (El País, Público). The government's decision to bypass Congress allows opposition leader Feijóo to avoid taking a position and prevents a divided coalition vote (El País).
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11:18 (09:18)⇢Pope's Body Lies in State for Three-Day Farewell

⌨The newspapers extensively cover Pope Francis's body being transferred to St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing over three days, noting the austere and emotional farewell (El Confidencial, La Razón, RTVE). On defense spending, new reports indicate Spain considering invoking the EU's "escape clause" to prevent the defense plan from increasing the deficit and avoid budget cuts (El Periódico), though Spain will remain in NATO's "tail group" despite increasing investment to 2% of GDP (20minutos). Other coverage includes a UK Supreme Court decision that reportedly strengthens transphobia in an anti-trans rights context (El Salto) and speculation about Soros and a Czech millionaire linked to Putin possibly helping the government regain control of media group Prisa (Libertad Digital).
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13:29 (11:29)⇢Coalition Split Deepens Over Military Spending

⌨The newspapers extensively cover Pope Francis's funeral preparations, with thousands gathering to pay final respects at St. Peter's Basilica (RTVE, El Confidencial, La Razón). Political tensions continue over defense spending, with opposition leader Feijóo calling Sánchez's defense plan "undemocratic" and demanding Labor Minister Díaz resign if she doesn't approve it (El Español). Díaz avoids direct confrontation, noting her party has "disagreed in writing" (El Plural), while reports indicate Spain will remain in NATO's "tail group" despite increased military spending (20minutos). Other coverage includes Barcelona's sunny Sant Jordi festival (La Vanguardia), European Union fines against Apple and Meta for digital regulation violations (El Periódico), and criticism over Sánchez's support for Morocco's expansion plans in Western Sahara (El Salto).
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14:50 (12:50)⇢Thousands Bid Farewell to Pope Francis

⌨The newspapers extensively cover Pope Francis's funeral, with thousands paying their final respects at St. Peter's Basilica (El Mundo, El Periódico, RTVE). Reports highlight flood victims traveling to Rome to honor the Pope (El Periódico) and reactions from Catholic communities in wealthy districts (El Confidencial). Meanwhile, political tensions escalate as United Left (IU) threatens to leave the government coalition over military spending increases and weapons purchases from Israel (Libertad Digital, Público, 20minutos). Other coverage includes Barcelona celebrating a sunny Sant Jordi festival (La Vanguardia) and the government confirming Altri will lose €30 million in decarbonization aid (El Salto).
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19:04 (17:04)⇢Thousands Queue as Vatican May Extend Pope's Wake Hours

⌨The newspapers extensively cover Pope Francis's funeral, with thousands of mourners paying respects at his wake in St. Peter's Basilica (El Mundo, La Razón, RTVE). The Vatican may extend viewing hours due to the massive crowds (El Mundo). Meanwhile, political tensions escalate over arms purchases from Israel, with United Left (IU) threatening to leave the governing coalition if Prime Minister Sánchez doesn't reverse the decision (El Español, La Marea, Libertad Digital). Other coverage includes Barcelona's celebration of Sant Jordi book festival (La Vanguardia) and news that the Catalan government will cancel the physical maintenance plan for the Mossos police force (El Periódico).
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22:08 (20:08)⇢Coalition Fractures Over Israeli Arms Deal

⌨The newspapers report on a government coalition crisis with Izquierda Unida (IU) threatening to leave over military spending increases and weapons purchases from Israel (El Español, infoLibre, Público, 20minutos). Sumar, the larger coalition partner, refuses to consider leaving government despite the disagreement (El Español, Público). Meanwhile, thousands continue paying respects to Pope Francis, with nearly 20,000 visitors on the first day, prompting the Vatican to consider extending the wake period (El Mundo, La Razón, RTVE). In cultural news, Barcelona celebrated Sant Jordi Day with authors Javier Cercas and Xavier Bosch leading book sales (El Periódico, La Vanguardia).
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