1. Blaming the previous government can only get you so far. The Socialists left the public accounts in mess, let unemployment soar, and failed to acknowledge the crisis in the first place…We’ve been hearing all that for the last two years or so from the Partido Popular (PP). And turning the Spanish economy around in the near future, given the state it was in at the end of 2011, is a tough –some would say impossible- task. So far the governing party’s own support has remained steady, according to polls, even if Rajoy’s has slipped slightly. But at some point very soon, Spaniards are going to stop thinking about Zapatero’s feeble economic legacy and start focusing exclusively on the … [Read more...] about Five things Mariano Rajoy has learned in his first 100 days
Archives for March 2012
Pound slips on surprise UK GDP downturn
UK sterling has given up almost a cent against the euro this week, as the ONS (Office for National Statistics) tells us Britain contracted -0.1% more than previously thought in Q4, to a total –0.3%. Obviously enough, this has stoked concerns the UK might re-enter recession in 2012, and in fact the OECD (those cheery fellows!) have already made this prediction. Bright side for Britain Fortunately, on the flip-side there are plenty of economists who accuse the OECD of doom-mongering here, and indeed UK performance in 2012 has been pretty solid so far. Both the manufacturing and services sectors expanded these past 3 months, while exports also enjoyed a solid increase. This suggests the UK … [Read more...] about Pound slips on surprise UK GDP downturn
Latest ‘[REC]’ instalment offers schlock over terror
REC3 Genesis, the latest movie in Spain’s celebrated zombie franchise, invites viewers to the swank marriage of cooing lovebirds Koldo and Clara. And the nuptial backdrop is a canny move. Director Paco Plaza has rightly realised that weddings - stuffed with religious symbolism, overrun with staggering inebriates and blinded by gaudy dance-floor lights - are a little like a horror movie anyway. Once the guests start eating each other, what’s the difference? The first two films in the series, shot à la The Blair Witch Project with first-person perspective and handheld cameras, played out in a cursed, zombie-infested Barcelona apartment block. The second instalment took up where the … [Read more...] about Latest ‘[REC]’ instalment offers schlock over terror
The myths about renting property in Spain
However, for some, there is an alternative. Renting is now the new buying. It seems like everyone is doing it and whether you want to upgrade, downgrade or just try a new area, it can be the solution to a sluggish market. It can also be a worry. Stories of terrible tenants and unlucky landlords bounce around the forums. It seems that everyone knows someone with a cautionary tale to tell. Of course, what you don’t hear as often are the success stories where it all came together with a happy ending. For those considering the renting option, let’s dispel a few myths first. Here are some of the snippets of conversation you might here at your local: Myth: ‘Tenants have all the rights in … [Read more...] about The myths about renting property in Spain
La Liga: Spain’s title race is alive…just
This week saw Barcelona claw open the door to the Liga title, which had seemingly been slammed shut by José Mourinho’s men over a month ago. Following back-to-back draws for the leaders, who dropped points against Málaga at home and Villarreal away, it was mini-crisis time at Real Madrid as the gulf that was a 10-point lead at the top of the table was cut to six, ahead of what could be a decisive game at the Camp Nou next month. Pep Guardiola continues to toe the diplomatic line, insisting the six points are still too much to make up. But even he must be overjoyed that news has turned from talk of a possible Pasillo at the home of the Catalans, to whether or not Madrid will crumble under … [Read more...] about La Liga: Spain’s title race is alive…just
Andalusia election gives Rajoy a reality check
Mariano Rajoy’s Partido Popular (PP) may have won the most seats of any party in Sunday’s regional election in Andalusia, but he will view the result as a resounding failure. Rajoy’s conservatives finished the vote count with 50 seats, compared with the Socialists’ 47. In the Socialists’ biggest regional stronghold, that might look like a triumph, but with the United Left (IU) taking 12 seats, the left did enough to govern in coalition. This election came three months into the tenure of Rajoy as prime minister and was seen as a gauge of his national government, as much as the performance of his Andalusian candidate, Javier Arenas. Andalusia has enormous symbolic significance. Ever … [Read more...] about Andalusia election gives Rajoy a reality check
UK pound to euro exchange rate stable as outlook darkens
The UK pound kept close to the 1.20 mark against the euro this week, as economic data in both the UK and eurozone points to a difficult road for 2012. In particular, in the UK retail sales dropped a precipitous –0.8% last month, signalling that consumers are no more confident in their prospects, while the coalition government borrowed more than twice as much as forecast. In Europe meanwhile, attention has turned to Spain and Italy, where crucial labour reforms are being debated, while spluttering manufacturing output points to a deepening recession. UK retailers on the back foot UK retail sales declined double the expected rate last month, falling –0.8% compared to the -0.4% forecast. … [Read more...] about UK pound to euro exchange rate stable as outlook darkens
Iberian architecture builds a modern legacy
Recently, the widely read architectural website ArchDaily released its Buildings of the Year 2011 report and several winners from its categories are based in Iberia, including the MIMA House (MIMA Architects) in Viana do Castelo and Barcelona’s iGuzzini Illuminazione España H.Q. (MiAS Arquitectes). This, alongside Eduardo Souto de Moura’s 2011 Pritzker Prize win (architecture’s most prestigious award) raises the question: why is Portuguese and Spanish contemporary architecture garnering so much attention all of a sudden? Perhaps the attention may not be so sudden after all. By the time Portugal and Spain entered the EU in 1986, both countries had emerged from a period of architecture … [Read more...] about Iberian architecture builds a modern legacy
Who’s who in the Spanish property buying minefield
Because of this it is worth seeking the advice of professionals. That doesn’t mean that everything will always go smoothly, but usually at least you have a method of complaining if it doesn’t. The variety of professionals available to help can also be rather confusing. Here we’ve compiled a little glossary to help you with the titles of the legal and financial people that you might need to use. Abogado – The abogado is a Spanish lawyer - a trained professional who can check the legal status of your documents, carry out inheritance instructions and complete the usual kinds of tasks you would expect of a solicitor in the UK. Notario – The notary is a public official who does not act on … [Read more...] about Who’s who in the Spanish property buying minefield
Inside a Spanish school
I had been fortunate to make contact with Tina Sánchez Alfocea, an English teacher at the school. Tina had been enthusiastic about my request to visit, meet her students and ask her some questions. I wanted to see for myself what the inside of a Spanish secondary school looks like and test out some of the anxieties that parents of foreign students have. If you have been following this series of features you will know that many British and other expat parents find themselves in a dilemma. Should their children attend an international school or enter the Spanish system? For some there isn’t an option. The fee-paying alternative of an international school can be well out of bounds. However, … [Read more...] about Inside a Spanish school