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September 8, 2026

Spain: Secret dossiers, education in freefall — FrontPages.eu, September 08, 2026

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Tuesday, September 08, 2026

👨‍⚖️ Judicial

The country's political landscape is reeling from revelations that the Ministry of the Interior, under Fernando Grande-Marlaska, allegedly compiled secret dossiers on journalists, profiling them based on their political leanings. This comes as the latest PISA results show a historic and alarming decline in student performance, particularly in reading, with some regions exceeding allowed exclusion rates from the tests. Adding to the governmental scrutiny, Judge María Tardón has initiated an investigation into the government's response to the Ceuta migrant crisis, suggesting potential accountability issues. Meanwhile, Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has summoned Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, for a final preliminary hearing, marking a critical step before a potential trial in her high-profile case. Further domestic news includes a teachers' strike causing significant traffic disruptions in Barcelona. On a more positive note, Spain's economy is reportedly growing faster than that of the United States, with official confirmation anticipated from the next PIB revision.

Top Stories

Spain has recorded its worst-ever performance in the latest PISA rankings, with students showing a significant decline in reading, mathematics, and science skills, a problem partly attributed to excessive screen time. While Madrid's performance dropped, Castile and Leon led, and some regions like Catalonia and Murcia were noted for excluding a high number of students from the test sample.

elDiario.es: Spain's PISA Performance Plummets, Students Struggle with Reading Due to Screens

Spain has seen a significant drop in the PISA rankings, with students experiencing difficulties reading texts over 400 words, a problem attributed to excessive screen time.

El Mundo: Educational Disaster in Spain: Worst Ever PISA Results

Spain has achieved its worst-ever results in the PISA report, with Madrid's educational performance declining significantly while Castile and Leon lead, and the Basque Country and Valencian Community fall sharply.

La Vanguardia: Spanish Youth Show Significant Decline in PISA Scores

The latest PISA results reveal a worrying drop in reading and mathematics skills among Spanish students, losing nearly a full year in reading and almost another in math.

20minutos: Spanish students suffer historical decline in science, reading, and math

Spanish students have shown a significant decline in PISA test results for science, reading, and mathematics, although they are adept at using AI for their homework.

La Vanguardia: Catalonia's Performance in the PISA 2025 Report

This article examines how Catalonia specifically performed in the PISA 2025 educational assessment.

El Mundo: Catalonia and Murcia Exclude Students from PISA Test

Catalonia and Murcia have excluded a significant number of students from the PISA test sample, with 12% in Murcia and 7.5% in the Balearic Islands, far exceeding the permitted 5%.

The Ministry of the Interior, led by Fernando Grande-Marlaska, is facing serious allegations of creating secret dossiers that profiled journalists based on their political ideologies. Reports indicate that key personnel, including the director and several journalists from El Confidencial, were investigated and labeled for their political leanings.

El Confidencial: Marlaska's Team Prepared Secret Dossier on Journalists for Their Ideology…

The Ministry of the Interior, under Marlaska, allegedly created a secret dossier profiling journalists based on their political leanings, suggesting a pattern of government surveillance and potential ideological bias in media relations.

El Confidencial: Interior Investigated Political Views of El Confidencial's Director and 10…

A report reveals that Spain's Ministry of the Interior investigated the political ideologies of key personnel at El Confidencial, including its director and ten journalists, labeling their general tendency as 'center-right'.

Judge María Tardón has initiated an investigation into the government's actions and response mechanisms during the recent mass influx of migrants into Ceuta, indicating potential government accountability. The judge has also characterized Ceuta as a target of 'hybrid warfare' in the context of geopolitical and migration challenges.

20minutos: Judge opens door to investigate government response to mass immigration in Ceuta

A judge has opened the possibility of investigating the government's actions and response mechanisms during the recent crisis involving a mass influx of immigrants into Ceuta.

elDiario.es: Judge Tardón Warns She Will Investigate Government's Reaction to Ceuta Crisis…

Judge María Tardón has indicated that she will investigate the government's response to the alerts received during the Ceuta crisis.

El Confidencial: Judge Tardón Warns of Possible Government Responsibilities for Lack of…

Judge Tardón has indicated potential government accountability regarding the handling of the situation in Ceuta, citing a lack of adequate response to the ongoing crisis.

La Vanguardia: Judge Tardón Identifies Ceuta as Target of Hybrid Warfare

A judge has indicated that Ceuta is a primary target in a 'hybrid warfare' strategy, likely referring to geopolitical and migration challenges.

El Confidencial: Immigrants from the Autonomous City Have a Plan: 'I'll Hold Out Until December'

This exclusive report details the plans and resilience of immigrants in Ceuta, focusing on their determination to endure difficult conditions with a stated goal of holding out until December.

El Confidencial: Former President of BCN Port Proposes Converting Ceuta into a Free Trade Zone

An exclusive report indicates that the former president of the Port of Barcelona is proposing a strategic initiative to establish Ceuta as a free trade zone, aiming to boost its economic activity.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has summoned Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, for a final preliminary hearing. This is the last procedural step before a decision is made on whether to proceed to trial.

elDiario.es: Judge Peinado Summons Begoña Gómez for Final Preliminary Hearing

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has called Begoña Gómez for a final preliminary hearing before potentially bringing her to trial.

A teachers' strike is causing significant traffic disruptions in and around Barcelona, affecting access to the city.

La Vanguardia: Teachers' Strike Causes Traffic Chaos in Barcelona

A teachers' strike is causing significant traffic disruptions in and around Barcelona, impacting access to the city.

The government of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, has delayed a decision on offers for a Chamberí penthouse. Additionally, Félix Bolaños, Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes, and Aldama have been summoned for a preliminary hearing in a defamation lawsuit.

elDiario.es: Ayuso Government Delays Announcement on Chamberí Penthouse Offers

The government of Isabel Díaz Ayuso has postponed for a week the decision on whether to accept offers for a penthouse in Madrid's Chamberí district.

elDiario.es: Bolaños and Aldama Cited for Preliminary Hearing in Defamation Case

Bolaños and Aldama have been summoned to a preliminary hearing as part of a defamation lawsuit.

El Mundo: Sánchez and PSOE Face Electoral Uncertainty

Pedro Sánchez and the PSOE party are navigating political challenges as they prepare for potential elections, with internal party dynamics and external pressures influencing their strategy.

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