Spain is heading to the polls

THIS WEEK IN SPAIN — EPISODE 1: INTRODUCTION Hello and welcome to This Week in Spain, the podcast where we take a look at the biggest stories making headlines across Spain over the past seven days. From politics and the economy to everyday life, entertainment, culture and sport, we'll be covering the stories that matter, the stories that get people talking, and occasionally some of the more unusual things that can only happen here in Spain. And what a week to launch our first episode! Spanish politics has been thrown into turmoil, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calling a snap general election. We'll be looking at what triggered that decision, who's likely to come out on top, and what it could mean for the country. We'll also be discussing Spain's increasingly serious housing crisis, with protests growing and unions announcing plans for a general strike. Is living in Spain becoming simply too expensive for ordinary people? Meanwhile, there's been a major development in Catalonia, with former regional president Carles Puigdemont potentially returning to Spain after almost nine years abroad. But don't worry, it's not all politics! We'll also be looking at what's happening in Spanish entertainment and culture, including the Sitges Film Festival and the changing face of Spanish television. And in sport, we'll be discussing the incredible run of Spain's national football team, as well as the latest success of tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz. Plus, we'll have a few other interesting stories from around the country that you might have missed. So, whether you live in Spain, are thinking about moving here, regularly visit, or simply have an interest in what's going on in this fascinating country, you're in the right place. I'm your host, and this is This Week in Spain. Let's get started!