🇪🇸Week of October 5

The Rocho clan has told the Civil Guard's Central Operative Unit (UCO) that a group linked to Leire Díez asked it to carry out a physical attack on Judge Biedma, who is handling the case involving the brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The matriarch of the clan made the statement to the UCO, according to El Periódico. The clan acknowledged that the request was to cause 'physical harm' to the judge.12

The UCO has confirmed that the PSOE-linked network contacted drug traffickers to 'eliminate' the judge, with one message stating 'A palos aprende el burro' (roughly, 'the donkey learns by beatings'). The clan confirmed the plan to the UCO, with one member quoted as saying 'Hay que eliminarla, es un puto grano en el culo' ('She has to be eliminated, she's a fucking pain in the ass').34

El Mundo published a chronology of the harassment of Judge Biedma by the PSOE-linked network, including messages such as 'Haremos todo lo que tengamos que hacer. Te van a venir más sorpresitas' ('We will do everything we have to do. More little surprises are coming your way').5

Hazte Oír has filed a prevarication complaint against Constitutional Court president Conde-Pumpido and six other magistrates over their ruling on the amnesty of the malversación offence. The complaint was lodged before the Supreme Court. The seven magistrates are accused of prevarication in the amnesty decision concerning the malversación charge.123

The Supreme Court has asked the parties whether the malversación offence of the procés should be amnestied following the Constitutional Court's ruling. The Constitutional Court's decision on the amnesty of the malversación is the ruling that triggered the complaint. The Supreme Court's consultation with the parties is the next procedural step in the case.45

Attributed claim: The right-leaning bloc of the Constitutional Court wanted a diluted ruling that would leave room for the Supreme Court to refer a preliminary question to the Court of Justice of the European Union. That account of the internal division on the court is reported by El Periódico, a centre-left outlet. The complaint against the seven magistrates is reported by the right-leaning outlets Libertad Digital and ABC, and by the mixed outlet El Debate.5123

Conde-Pumpido has adopted a conciliatory stance after Prime Minister Sánchez called early elections, a shift described as causing bewilderment inside the Constitutional Court. Libertad Digital, a right-leaning outlet, also published a column arguing that Conde-Pumpido is more of a coup-plotter than Puigdemont. Figures close to Puigdemont are encouraging a return after the elections of 29 November, according to La Vanguardia.678

Spain's new housing decree requires public administrations to take on the debt of vulnerable tenants in order to stop evictions. The package also reinforces compensation for tenants and includes rental contract extensions through 2028. It introduces interest-free loans of 50,000 euros to help with a home purchase, with eligibility conditions still to be defined.123

The government must have both housing decrees validated by Saturday, 14 November, a deadline that falls in the middle of an election campaign. The PNV has said that taking the decrees to the Permanent Deputation is "not orthodox or pretty," but it will vote in favour.45

Partido Popular leader Alberto Feijóo has raised doubts about postal voting and will ask Spain's Junta Electoral for "additional measures" to guarantee the process. He said he trusts postal workers but not Correos management, telling Onda Cero: "Confío en los carteros, pero no en los directivos." The request is aimed at the vote on 29N.1234

Former prime minister Felipe González said he "confía en el sistema de voto por correo," defending the postal-vote system as it stands. His statement was carried by ABC, a right-leaning outlet, and places him at odds with the PP leader's push for extra safeguards.512

Attributed claim: The PP's demand for guarantees from the Junta Electoral is contested in framing: El País, a centre-left outlet, reports that Feijóo is "abonando" the party's doubts about postal voting, while El Mundo, a centre-right outlet, presents the same move as a request for "garantías adicionales" for the postal vote. Both accounts agree Feijóo will formally ask the electoral board for additional measures.14

The regional government of Madrid, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, asked the courts to order the removal of the housing protest encampment in Puerta del Sol. The request sought precautionary measures against the camp, which has occupied the square over housing demands.12345

The Superior Court of Justice of Madrid rejected the request, leaving the encampment in place. The court found no "inactivity" on the part of the Government Delegation that would justify the precautionary measures.412

The ruling is the second time the judiciary has declined to authorize clearing the Puerta del Sol camp. Coverage of the decision was carried by Cadena SER, El Periódico, elDiario.es, El País and LaSexta.12345