Awake, for morning in the bowl of night has flung the stone that puts
the stars to flight.
And, lo, has caught the sultan’s turret in a noose of light!

Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable – Christopher Howse: ‘A Pilgrim in Spain’

Cosas de España/Galicia

Given how corrupt the PP has been for decades, it takes some gall to go after the PSOE administration for alleged corruption. First it was his wife — now the PM’s brother faces investigation, as right-wing activists secure a second case against Pedro Sánchez’s family.

Bad news from the outgoing governor of the Bank of Spain.

Galicia’s beautiful Ribeira Sacra.

Vital info on the looming ESS at the end of this post.

Germany

Blimey! . . . Germany is descending into chaos – and it will take the rest of the eurozone down with it. A decade of catastrophic mistakes are coming back to haunt Europe’s former economic powerhouse

The UK

An amusing article on 2 banes:-

• 1. Tipping, and
• 2. Meaningless words or phrases

The EU

There are good reasons to fear the radical right. There are broadly two approaches to addressing the radical right’s rise. The first is to identify the grievances that animate voters for radical-right parties and attempt to address them. The hope is that these voters can be accommodated within the mainstream. The alternative is to confront these grievances and define the mainstream against them.

If you are right of centre, like this columnist, you will almost certainly regard complacent liberals as guilty of causing this swing towards populist parties in Europe

Russia

The clock is ticking on Putin’s nuclear gamble. The Kremlin may have decided only the threat of atomic weapons can bring victory in Ukraine.

The Way of the World

Darfur is again the world’s forgotten atrocity, says the ‘outraged’ head of The International Criminal Court. The ICC is investigating reports of war crimes and has called for witnesses to come forward as fears of a genocide grow. So, will we see protest marches around the world? I rather doubt it. Who cares about what Africans do to each other, one might ask. Especially in Sudan, where The year-long conflict, which has killed up to 150,000 people, has displaced 10 million and is threatening famine.

Why ‘again’? Because 20 years ago Darfur was the scene of genocidal killings of 300,000 people, mostly from non-Arab communities. It seems you can get away with a lot if you are Arabian. Or Iranian. Or, specifically President Assad of Syria. I wonder why.

Quote of the Day

The term “right-wing” is used chiefly as an insult for anyone who stands against the groupthink of received liberal opinion. . . Liberal society has created a vacuum in which has arisen an anti-establishment insurgency with a range of political parties. Some of these are quite reasonable; others are a potential menace. The liberal establishment is responsible for them all.

Did you know?

Great thinkers also had cluttered rooms.

Finally . .

Shakespeare was fatphobic? Cancel him now. Now that the Bard has been found guilty of ‘body-shaming’, his time is surely up. Thanks to important work carried out in recent years by various Left-wing academics and commentators, we all know that William Shakespeare was a racist, a misogynist, an ableist, a classist, and in all probability a Tory-voting Brexiteer. It seems, however, that his shameful failure to reflect the progressive mores of the 21st century does not end there. Because we now learn that this hateful Elizabethan bigot was fatphobic, as well.

The Usual Links . . .

• You can get my posts by email as soon as they’re publishehttps://thoughtsfromgalicia.comd. With the added bonus that they’ll contain the typos I’ll discover later. I believe there’s a box for this at the bottom of each post. I guess it’s logical that this doesn’t appear on the version given to me . . .
• For new readers: If you’ve landed here looking for info on Galicia or Pontevedra, try here. If you’re passing through Pontevedra on the Camino, you’ll find a guide to the city there.
• For those thinking of moving to Spain:- This is an extremely comprehensive and accurate guide to the challenge, written by a Brit who lives in both the North and the South and who’s very involved in helping Camino walkers. And this is something on the so-called Beckham Rule, which is beneficial – tax-wise – for folk who want to work here. Finally, some advice on getting a mortgage.

HOW THE NEW EES SYSTEM WILL AFFECT YOUR EUROPEAN TRIPS

For first time travellers and seasoned globetrotters alike, staying informed about the latest travel

regulations is crucial. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, you need to be aware of the

forthcoming European Entry/Exit System (EES). The new system will have a significant impact on travel to, and within, the European Union.

1. What is the new European Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The European Entry/Exit System (EES) is an initiative by the European Union, due to start later this year. The system is designed to digitally record the entry, exit, and any denial of entry information, of non-EU travellers visiting thecontinent for short stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). By using advanced digitaltechnology, the system should ensure a streamlined, efficient, and secure experience for peopletravelling to Europe.

2. How will the EES work?

The EES will replace the manual stamping of passports with an automated system that captures the biometric data (a facial image and four fingerprints) of all travellers. This data, along with the date and place of entry and exit, will be recorded in a centraldatabase accessible to the relevant migration and border authorities. 

3. What does the EES mean for UK travellers?

Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, British holidaymakers will need to use the new system when visiting Schengen Area countries. 

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming changes:

A. You’ll need to pre-register your details before your trip.  This includes submitting biometric

information, which can be done at various points before travel.

B. You’ll benefit from faster border crossings. One of the benefits of the EES is that it is expected

to lead to faster border crossings for genuine travellers. Automated gates will use the biometric

data to verify a traveller’s identity, which should reduce wait times when crossing borders.

C. You’ll need to remember your planned exit date With the implementation of the EES, the

current practice of manually stamping passports will be phased out. It’s vital you are aware of

your entry and exit dates to avoid overstaying, as the EES will automatically calculate and flag

any discrepancies.

D. Your data is secure. The introduction of biometric data collection has raised questions about

privacy and data protection. However, the EES is designed with strong data protection measures,

ensuring that personal information is handled according to the highest security standards.

E. Preparation is key .For UK residents eager to continue their European adventures,

understanding these changes is crucial. The new system requires a bit of preparation, but it’s

designed to make travel to the EU smoother and more secure.

To stay informed and ensure that you are compliant with the new requirements, you should check

the official EU website for updates on the EES and detailed guidance on how to prepare for your next trip to Europe. By staying informed and prepared you can look forward to many more trips to the continent, exploring its cultures, cuisines, and landscapes with ease.

Me: Not mentioned . . .

Yes, there will be a cost associated with the new EES system for travelers who are not EU/Schengen citizens.

• The EES itself will not directly charge a fee to travelers. However, it will work in conjunction with the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
• ETIAS will require non-EU/Schengen travelers to obtain pre-travel authorization, similar to the U.S. ESTA system.
• The cost for an ETIAS authorization will be €7 (around £6) for most adult travelers aged 18-70.
• The ETIAS authorization will be valid for 3 years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
• Children under 18 and adults over 70 will be exempt from the ETIAS fee.

So while crossing the border and using the EES itself will be free, most non-EU travelers to the Schengen area will need to pay the €7 ETIAS fee every 3 years or when getting a new passport in order to be authorized to travel to the Schengen zone.

This is a new cost that did not previously exist for visa-exempt travelers to Europe