SpainOwnership & classification
Founded: 1976
Ownership
El País, founded in 1976, is the flagship daily of Grupo PRISA (Promotora de Informaciones). PRISA's largest shareholder is Joseph Oughourlian, founder of the activist fund Amber Capital, who holds roughly 29-30% (indirectly via Amber Capital UK / Oviedo Holdings) and chairs PRISA's board. Other significant shareholders include Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, Banco Santander and Vivendi.
Funding
Financed commercially through advertising, newsstand sales and an extensive digital subscription/paywall, within the PRISA group that also owns Cadena SER radio and the Santillana education business; it carries the debt and investor structure of a listed media group.
Affiliation & stance
Centre-left and strongly pro-European in editorial stance, Spain's leading reference daily. It is owned by a publicly listed commercial group led by financial investors, with no party or state control of the newsroom, which makes it INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 792
80/100
Factual
72/100
Objective
955
Articles
955
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Granollers, epicenter of the storm, protests late warning: We were already on the move
The town of Granollers experienced severe flooding over the weekend, with residents having been warned in advance and thus somewhat prepared. However, this week’s flood arrived suddenly, with alerts coming too late according to local residents who criticized the delayed warnings. The situation caused significant traffic chaos in the city, which has nearly 67,000 inhabitants and lies 35 kilometers from Barcelona. Judith, a resident interviewed by the newspaper, noted that the alerts came after people were already moving or had reached their destinations. The force of the water was described as unusually strong, particularly along the river Congost, a tributary of the Besòs.
Demanding accountability from Rabat and keeping silent before Washington
The article discusses the politicization of Spain's relationship with Morocco following the July 30-31 crisis in Ceuta, where thousands crossed the border. Spanish political parties across the spectrum have taken strong positions against Morocco, accusing leaders like Pedro Sánchez of prioritizing relations with Rabat over national interests. Right-wing parties such as Vox and Ciudadanos accuse the government of complicity, while leftist groups like Podemos demand breaking ties with a 'dictatorship.' However, the European Union continues to view Morocco as a strategic partner, maintaining cooperation in migration and border control despite the tensions. The article emphasizes that while domestic politics has intensified, actual foreign policy alternatives remain limited, and the government should investigate Moroccan involvement during the crisis. It concludes that diplomatic relations do not necessarily legitimize authoritarian regimes, but complete rupture is not automatically warranted.
Unrest and loads at the end of the demonstration for housing in Barcelona
Approximately 20,000 people marched through central Barcelona under the slogan 'Acabemos con el negocio del alquiler' to protest housing issues. The demonstration was organized by the Sindicat de Llogateres and initially planned for Saturday but was postponed due to heavy rain. After the march ended, police used force against protesters who had set containers on fire and thrown objects at officers, resulting in several arrests. Activists remained undeterred despite Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's announcement to hold early elections following his government's defeat over housing decrees. Participants shared personal struggles with rising rents, with some living in temporary accommodations due to affordability issues. Organizers altered the route to avoid the Plaza Catalunya, where activists are camping, and the march concluded at the Passeig de Gràcia, uniting demonstrators with those in the encampment.
29N forces Junts and ERC to redefine their electoral strategies against the clock
The early November 29 general election call by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has forced Catalan parties to quickly adjust their electoral strategies. Junts, led by Jordi Turull, Miriam Nogueras, and Mónica Sales, had previously withdrawn support from the government but now faces pressure to redefine its approach amid uncertainty over whether exiled leader Carles Puigdemont might run. Meanwhile, ERC (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya) is dealing with internal divisions between its leadership in Catalonia and the faction controlled by Gabriel Rufián in Madrid. The PSC (Socialist Party of Catalonia) is facing declining poll numbers, while the Comuns (Catalan Left) remain uncertain about their positioning. The situation highlights the complex dynamics within Catalan politics as parties navigate the challenges of forming alliances and defining their platforms ahead of the snap election.
Frente Amplio again eludes Podemos's primaries and bases an agreement on its joining the alliance
Frente Amplio, now known as Sumar, has once again avoided participating in open primaries proposed by Podemos for October 14–15, insisting that any agreement would require Podemos’s incorporation into their alliance. The alliance claims this collaboration has been built over a long period. Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture, stated they would not engage in public debates but welcomed proposals from others. Irene Montero, Podemos’s candidate, had suggested holding the primaries soon before the deadline for registering coalitions, which was triggered by the Prime Minister earlier this week. Urtasun emphasized that Frente Amplio consists of many organizations working together and would only consider agreements if Podemos joined them. During a joint appearance with Mónica García, Verónica Barbero, and Antonio Maíllo, Urtasun stressed that on November 29, when general elections will take place, Spaniards will choose between advancing rights or retreating under those who spread hatred. Mónica García noted that Frente Amplio supports Sánchez’s decision to call early elections and aims to include all groups within their coalition, including Podemos, Compromís, Mès, and Chunta Aragonesista.
Polls general election 29-N: these would be the results and the winner according to the polls
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the early general election for November 29 after failing to pass housing decrecrets. The move has been welcomed by the opposition, led by Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who emphasized the election as a choice between corruption and integrity. With 54 days until the vote, the dissolution of Parliament was set to be published in the Official State Gazette, and candidates must register their nominations by October 26. Campaigning begins on November 13 and ends on November 27. Recent polls suggest the Popular Party could win, with 31.3% of votes and 133 seats, while the ruling Socialist Party might drop to 105 seats. Vox is expected to gain ground as the third-largest force.
Can the left win the election? What the polls say
The article discusses the upcoming election campaign, highlighting the polarization and a central question: What can politicians do to make homeownership accessible to more people? It mentions that the election will run until November 29th and references data analyst Kiko Llaneras' insights based on polls. The piece focuses on the challenges facing voters and the potential impact of political strategies.
All the projects that fall with the new elections after a legislature with 22 laws and 43 decrees
The article discusses the impact of the upcoming general elections scheduled for November 29, 2026, on legislative projects that were initiated during the current Spanish legislature. Since the start of this legislature in 2023, over 158 initiatives have been proposed, including significant measures such as modernizing the judiciary, regulating lobbying, improving conditions for trainees, reducing classroom ratios, restricting social media access for minors under 16, and establishing a regional liquidity fund. However, many of these proposals have either failed or remain pending due to parliamentary gridlock. The Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, aims to revive some of these laws through special procedures like the Diputación Permanente, but the dissolution of parliament makes it impossible to approve new budgets in time, leading to the continuation of 2023's budget into 2027. Several important bills, including those related to consumer credit, anti-money laundering, and financial autonomy reforms, are expected to be delayed or abandoned.
Feijóo launches pre-campaign with promise to reward companies with less medical labor shortages
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of Spain's Popular Party (PP), has launched his pre-election campaign by promising to reward companies that reduce medical sick leave among their employees. Speaking to business leaders in Madrid, Feijóo stated that he finds the current rate of absenteeism 'unreasonable' and emphasized that workers' justified medical absences are one of Spain's main problems. He announced plans to allow private insurance providers collaborating with the National Social Security Institute to grant medical discharges in certain illnesses, though specifics were not provided. Feijóo outlined a potential 'bonus model' for businesses that maintain low sick leave rates through good medical care, employee motivation, and workplace climate. The announcement comes amid early elections called by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, which Feijóo claims were triggered by Sánchez’s personal interests rather than national needs. He accused Sánchez of using fear from ongoing legal investigations to divide Spanish society.
Why are men's shirt buttons on the right and women's on the left?
The article discusses a recurring question online about why men's shirt buttons are typically on the right side while women's are on the left. This seemingly minor detail has sparked debate, particularly highlighted by Vanessa Friedman in her New York Times article titled 'Are Buttons Sexist?' The piece explores whether this design choice reflects broader societal gender norms or stereotypes. The article suggests that the placement of buttons might be linked to historical assumptions about dominance and ease of dressing, potentially reinforcing traditional gender roles. However, the article does not provide a definitive answer but invites further reflection on the implications of such design choices.
Why is the left of Die Linke so scary in Germany?
The article discusses concerns within Germany about the leftist party 'Die Linke' and its potential threat to the country. It references articles from two German media outlets, 'Die Zeit' and 'Süddeutsche Zeitung', which question whether 'Die Linke' is too radical to govern. Both publications, which are ideologically aligned with social democracy, express unease over the party's increasingly aggressive rhetoric and its recent electoral success in Berlin. The piece highlights the broader debate around the role and influence of left-wing parties in German politics.
Police begin eviction of the settlement of the beach Trampoline in Ceuta
The Spanish newspaper Público reports that police in Ceuta have begun the eviction process of an informal settlement located at Playa del Trampolín. The article highlights the authorities' actions to remove unauthorized residents from the area, which has been occupied by migrants and locals seeking shelter. The report does not provide detailed information on the number of people affected, legal proceedings, or alternative housing solutions. It focuses primarily on the enforcement action taken by law enforcement rather than broader social or humanitarian implications.
A month with Silvio Rodríguez in Spain: The world seems to be sinking into a dark age
Silvio Rodríguez, a renowned Cuban musician, performed his final concert in Spain after a month-long tour. The event took place at Madrid's Movistar Arena and featured intimate moments with his family, including his partner Niurka González and their daughter Malva. During the performance, Rodríguez sang 'Enemigo de la guerra,' a song originally composed by Luis Eduardo Aute, which resonated deeply with the audience. The concert was marked by emotional reactions from attendees, with some expressing support for revolution. This was the last of ten concerts he held in Spain.