The third week of September blends courtrooms, diplomacy, data and demonstrations. Spain’s post-summer rhythm resumes, the United Kingdom hosts a state visit with Donald Trump, Europe braces for strikes, and the global calendar offers key economic and cultural markers.
Hello again, my dear friends, here’s your forward briefing for the week of 15 to 21 September 2025, The Week Ahead.
In Spain, the summer recess is over and ministers are back to business. This week’s agenda focuses on employment, housing and wildfire recovery zones, with new economic data on trade and industry due mid-week. With the Vuelta finished, public attention turns to party conferences and the autumn legislative block.
In the United Kingdom, the week is dominated by Donald Trump’s State Visit. He arrives on Tuesday, the same day labour market statistics are released and Champions League matches begin. On Wednesday, he attends a State Banquet with King Charles, while inflation data and the US Federal Reserve decision are due. On Thursday, he meets Keir Starmer at Chequers, coinciding with the Bank of England’s own interest rate decision. Expect heavy traffic disruption around central London and Chequers throughout the visit.
Courtrooms are also busy: Constance Marten and Mark Gordon are sentenced on Monday, and the Soldier F trial linked to Bloody Sunday begins. The House of Lords continues its assisted dying debate on Friday, as public finance data are published. The Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference opens on Saturday, while Oxford Street goes traffic-free on Sunday.
Across Europe, the week is anchored by Thursday’s ECB interest rate decision, as France braces for a general strike. Demonstrations against spending plans start mid-week.
Internationally, the headlines range from Australia’s mushroom case sentencing, to Brazil’s Bolsonaro trial verdict, and a packed weekend with the Berlin Marathon and Formula One in Azerbaijan.
And to close on a lighter note — Oxford Street’s traffic-free day on Sunday brings a moment of calm and celebration of community life in London’s busiest retail district, offering families and visitors a chance to reclaim the street for a day.
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Spain: Post-Holiday Business and September Stability
Spain’s political and royal agendas return to full pace following the August recess. Cabinet priorities focus on economic stability, with attention on employment initiatives, housing supply, and follow-through on summer wildfire recovery zones declared last month.
Economic watchers will look towards mid-month data on trade balances and industrial performance, providing clues to the trajectory of the fourth quarter. With the Vuelta a España concluded on the 14th, public focus shifts back to domestic politics, including party conferences and preparations for the autumn parliamentary agenda.
Transport systems operate under normal timetables, though lingering labour disputes in aviation and services remain a risk as negotiations continue.
United Kingdom: State Visit, Courts and Economic Crossroads
The UK dominates global headlines this week with the arrival of Donald Trump for a State Visit.
- On Tuesday 16 September, Trump arrives in London as labour market statistics are released, and UEFA Champions League matches begin.
- On Wednesday, Trump joins King Charles for a State Banquet, while UK inflation data is published and the US Federal Reserve issues its interest rate decision.
- On Thursday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts Trump at Chequers, coinciding with the Bank of England’s own interest rate decision. Across the Channel, France faces a general strike.
Legal matters shape Monday, with the sentencing of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon after retrial, and the opening of the Soldier F trial linked to Bloody Sunday.
On Friday, the House of Lords continues its debate on the assisted dying bill, while new public finances data are released.
The Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference opens on Saturday, and Oxford Street hosts a traffic-free day on Sunday, the same day the World Athletics Championships conclude in Tokyo.
Europe: Policy and Protests
European institutions return with a sharp focus on monetary policy. Thursday’s ECB rate decision anchors the week, alongside EU inflation data on Wednesday.
Protests in France on Wednesday against government spending plans feed into a broader wave of discontent, ahead of Thursday’s general strike. In Germany, debate continues around inflationary pressures and EU fiscal rules.
The State of the European Union address, delivered last week, frames the backdrop to renewed parliamentary sessions.
Rest of the World: Courts, Summits and Sport
Internationally, Monday 15 September sees Erin Patterson sentenced in Australia for the mushroom case, a story that captured headlines worldwide.
In the Middle East, an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Doha continues, responding to developments in Gaza. Syria’s elections mark a controversial political milestone, the first since the fall of Assad.
By Friday, attention moves to South America as a verdict is expected in Jair Bolsonaro’s coup trial in Brazil.
Weekend highlights include Russia hosting its alternative Intervision Song Contest on Saturday, and Formula One in Azerbaijan alongside the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.
Aviation and Travel
- Spain: Transport links are stable this week following the conclusion of the Vuelta, though earlier disputes in airport ground handling remain unresolved. Passengers are advised to allow additional time during busy morning departures at Madrid and Barcelona.
- United Kingdom: Expect London traffic disruption during Trump’s state visit (Tuesday–Thursday), with rolling road closures near Buckingham Palace, Westminster and Chequers. Oxford Street will be closed to vehicles on Sunday 21 September for a traffic-free day.
- Europe: France’s general strike on Thursday is set to disrupt air, rail and metro services, with knock-on effects for cross-border trains and flights.
