EU splintering as Spain outright rejects Von der Leyen’s Covid plan

She told a press conference: “I understand that countries with low vaccination coverage can raise the issue and that Ms Von der Leyen is considering opening the debate, but in our country the situation is absolutely different.”

The “majority feeling” of ministers, she said, is “to continue with the measures we have”, albeit avoiding large crowds around Christmas time.

The Spanish government still hopes that the remaining unvaccinated in the country will come forward voluntarily.

Ms Darias commented: “In Spain, what we have to do is to continue vaccinating in the way we do.