Unless those having more ample room to invigorate their demand do so, we are bound for a long period of strenuous struggles to undertake a painful real adjustment with no firm assurances the sacrifices attached to it may work.
Rajoy shouldn’t fear Spain’s diversity, but its messy economics
In the latest national opinion survey, Spaniards told the Rajoy government to close the nationalism front and weigh in with all resources to sort out the economy.
The news media dislike president Rajoy’s crisis management too much
The divide between journalistic duties and pleasing the masses looks excessively thin in Spain. When news media from virtually every ideological branch come together only to relentlessly bash a government, it may be time for a reflection.
Former governor of the Bank of Spain delivers a scathing blow to the government
MADRID | The Spanish government had good reasons to avoid Mr Ordóñez’s appearance in the parliamentary committee reviewing Bankia’s plight. His cold determined performance flatly exposed gross government failure in addressing the financial crisis. His indictment was based on the nagging fact Spain risk premium ranked last December markedly lower than Italy’s and now even [...]
Mario Monti cannot hide forever
LONDON/MADRID | Finance-wise, Italy is unnerving some of its neighbours in the periphery of the euro zone. Particularly in Spain, government officials wonder aloud about the unfairness of the whole situation: while yields of the Spanish 10-year sovereign bonds time and again cross the 7 percent frightening barrier, Italy managed last week to sell €5.25 [...]
President Rajoy made his point, but acted as an accountant
MADRID |Fernando G. Urbaneja| Premier Mariano Rajoy did not expect the economic picture to be that overwhelming, although it was predictable, nor former premier Mr Zapatero could believe in May 2010, that he was meant to play the role he so reluctantly played. Both of their reactions are part of Spain's problem: government leaders, alleged leaders [...]
Spain badly needs a banking overhaul
MADRID | The conditions imposed on Spain upon access to rescue funds for its ailing financial system, point to the need to undertake a major overhaul both in banking supervision and restructuring. The Eurogroup urges a handover to the Bank of Spain of powers hitherto retained by the ministry of Economy. It also forces breakup and/or [...]
The Spanish dream: let's break the vicious circle of sovereigns and banks
By Julia Pastor, in Madrid | On Tuesday, financial analysts at Link Securities commented that “Spain would be in the spotlight of present week political contacts”, of course, in a clear reference to the G-20 meeting at Mexico. “Discussions held there will largely focus on the country’s situation.” And that is exactly what has happened. [...]
Rajoy’s proposal of fiscal integration should be the aim of all Europe
By Tania Suárez, in Madrid | Most financial commentators have focused its attention on the comments that the Spanish president Mariano Rajoy made last Saturday. He emphasized the importance of creating a European body whose main objective would be to control of the finances of the different States, i.e. a fiscal integration. According to macroeconomic [...]
Spain’s main political parties come together against the European rescue option
By Julia Pastor, in Madrid | Contrary to what might be assumed, on Wednesday Spanish politics answer to the EU was strong despite the severe turbulences affecting the country’s financial system: the argument is that it does not need to rescued, but its debt needs to be guaranteed. President Mariano Rajoy and the opposition leader, [...]
