Spain has found itself at the center of a political and social whirlwind as 2025 unfolds, with mounting tensions over mass tourism in Mallorca, a dramatic parliamentary defeat for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority government, and growing questions about Spain’s role on the international stage. These intertwined developments reveal the complex challenges facing the country, from the cobblestone streets of Palma to the corridors of power in Madrid and Brussels.
On the sun-drenched island of Mallorca, the usually festive atmosphere has turned tense. On June 15, 2025, tens of thousands of locals marched through Palma de Mallorca, brandishing banners that read “For another tourism model” and “For the right to a decent life.” Their message was impossible to miss: “Everywhere you look, everyone is foreign,” declared one sign, while chants of “go home” echoed through the city’s leafy squares. According to Metro, some protesters even resorted to threatening gestures, with one activist reportedly swinging an axe at foreign families dining outdoors.
The impact of these fiery demonstrations has been immediate and measurable. Beach bars, parasol rentals, and holiday activities saw a 20% drop in July compared to the previous year. Arrivals from Germany and the UK—Mallorca’s two largest tourist markets—declined by 8.6% and 2.2%, respectively, after protesters began posting fake beach warnings in 2023 to scare off holidaymakers. According to local business leaders, resentment is running high, and the tension is beginning to bite. Juanmi Ferrer of the Restaurants Association in Mallorca warned, “restaurants across the island may be forced to shut down thanks to the highly visible resentment of visitors.”
Yet, activists argue the core problem isn’t the visitors themselves, but the overwhelming scale of tourism and its impact on daily life. Jaume Pujol, a 17-year-old activist dubbed the “Greta Thunberg” of the over-tourism movement, has become the face of the protests. Speaking to Metro, Pujol insisted, “This summer has not been any quieter. Despite hotel owners and businesspeople trying to deny it, the situation of overcrowding and overtourism on our island has been the same.” He stressed that the protests aren’t aimed at any single nationality, but at the phenomenon of mass tourism itself: “The aim of the protests is to put a limit on the over-tourism and commercialisation of our island and to reduce the number of tourists. These demands are directed at our local governments which have, so far, ignored them.”
Pujol’s frustration is echoed by other residents, who point to the soaring cost of living, housing shortages driven by the proliferation of Airbnbs, and the strain on local resources—especially during a drought that has led to water restrictions in some areas. Pedro Milán, owner of the trendy Sodapop café, explained, “Without tourism, the source of income and well-being for the residents would be destroyed, since we have no industry or other resources. This would be a disaster for the overwhelming majority.” However, he also criticized some long-term foreign residents for failing to integrate into Spanish culture, and noted that “the biggest factor is Airbnb driving up housing costs.”
Even as the number of visitors from some countries has fallen, overcrowding remains a pressing issue. Eva Martin Soler, owner of L’Ambigú tapas bar in Palma, observed a shift in tourism patterns: “Traditionally, German visitors formed the backbone of our summer trade. This year, however, we saw a sharp decline. Many Germans chose to travel northward or within their own country, often by car, or to Nordic destinations. Others opted for Tunisia and similar countries offering good-quality beaches and hotels. But British and French guests have increased, as have Swedish, Italian and American visitors thanks to new direct flight connections.” Soler emphasized that responsibility for the current situation is shared among residents, hotel groups, and online platforms like Airbnb, but maintained an optimistic view: “You should definitely visit Palma. Mallorca is an exceptional island, and Palma’s old town is one of the largest and richest in Europe, full of hidden corners and history.”
While Mallorca grapples with the fallout from overtourism, Spain’s political landscape is also in turmoil. On September 10, 2025, the Sánchez government suffered a major setback when its proposal to reduce the working week from 40 to 37.5 hours was rejected in Congress. The defeat was delivered by an unlikely alliance: the conservative Partido Popular (PP), far-right Vox, and the right-wing Catalan pro-independence party Junts per Catalunya, who together command 178 of the 350 seats—just enough for a majority.
The bill, a key part of Sánchez’s coalition deal with the far-left Sumar party, was championed by Sumar leader and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz. In a fiery speech, Díaz accused the opposition of turning their backs on workers in supermarkets, retail, and hospitality. “Mr Feijóo [PP leader], Mr Abascal [Vox leader] and Ms Nogueras [Junts MP] will have to face their voters when they are making a coffee, going on the metro, taking a taxi or plane,” she declared, according to The Olive Press. Díaz vowed to reintroduce the bill, calling Junts’ veto “incomprehensible.”
Opponents of the bill, however, argued that a reduced working week would hurt small businesses, drive up costs, and threaten jobs. Miriam Noguera, Junts’ spokesperson in Congress, said, “Defending small and medium-sized businesses, the self-employed and workers is good, but this law puts a lot of jobs at risk and we will not participate in that.” Josep Lluis Sanchez Llibre, president of the Catalan employers’ association Foment, warned that supporting the bill would be “the most serious mistake that a Spanish government has made since the return to democracy.”
As his domestic agenda falters, Sánchez is also facing scrutiny over Spain’s role—or lack thereof—on the European stage. On September 11, 2025, a high-level meeting was convened to address the violation of Polish airspace by more than 10 Russian drones. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian President Giorgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Later, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined the talks. Notably absent was Sánchez. According to reports, Spain’s Prime Minister was left out of the discussions, a pattern that has repeated itself in recent international summits.
While other European leaders coordinated their response—including the use of Polish F-16s, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS, NATO tanker aircraft, and German Patriots to shoot down the drones—Sánchez’s absence was conspicuous. He did, however, condemn the violation as “unacceptable” and expressed solidarity with Poland on social media, stating, “We express our full solidarity with Poland, which can always count on Spain in defending our common peace and security.” Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called the drone attack a “flagrant violation” and warned of an “escalation.”
The Spanish government has instead highlighted its influence in European Union policy, pointing to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to partially block trade relations with Israel over the Gaza situation—a move Spain claims to have influenced. The Sumar party welcomed the measure but criticized its timing as “late.”
From the bustling plazas of Palma to the halls of Congress and the diplomatic frontlines of Europe, Spain is wrestling with deep questions about its identity, its economy, and its place in the world. The coming months will test whether the country can find common ground—or whether the divides exposed in 2025 will only deepen.
