Several conclusions could be drawn from the recent ruling by Spain’s Constitutional Court to reject a seven-year-old appeal against the country’s same-sex marriage law of 2005. Perhaps the most obvious is that the Spanish justice system is slow. For many Spaniards, especially the more than 20,000 gay couples who have got married under the legislation, this was an eagerly awaited ruling. Some even feared they would be “de-married” if the appeal, lodged by the Partido Popular (PP), was upheld. Given the importance of this case, a seven-year delay was both baffling and inexcusable. But also, this ruling reflected how Spain has changed over the last decade. For most Spaniards, rolling back … [Read more...] about Spain’s gay marriage ruling through the eyes of a seasoned campaigner
Archives for November 2012
La Liga: Barça rewrite history books under Vilanova
Tito Vilanova was at it again at the weekend. Having spent several years as Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man it must be fairly routine for him now, but his Barcelona side’s 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou saw him write yet another page in the history books. The Catalans, who remain unbeaten, equalled the record for the most points after 10 games in La Liga, earning 28 points out of a possible 30 and matching the record set by their rivals Real Madrid. Three goals in the space of five minutes brought the game to life, with the opener coming from a Pedro cross from the right for Adriano to slot home after just 20 minutes. The visitors’ reply was immediate and with Barça … [Read more...] about La Liga: Barça rewrite history books under Vilanova
To be or not to be: Catalonia as an independent state
There’s nothing especially new about the present dispute between Catalonia and Spain’s national political leadership. Arguably most of the key arguments date back at least to the 1970s and the end of the Franco era, while the seeds of the present dispute are to be found in the country’s written constitution which was finally put together in 1978, when the threat of military interference in political life was still a real and present danger. Indeed the one thing that both sides of the argument seem to agree on is that the regional system of comunidades autónomas which was established back then doesn’t really work. Equally, after so many years of constant wrangling, most citizens on both … [Read more...] about To be or not to be: Catalonia as an independent state
Euro unchanged on Sandy, presidential election
Welcome to the Pure FX account of changes in the euro exchange rate, covering the 26th October to 2nd November 2012. This is intended as a brief guide to movements in the euro this week, to put you in the best position for when you exchange currencies. Exchange rates Pound to euro: 1.2476 Pound to US dollar: 1.609 Euro to US dollar: 1.2896 As you can see above, the exchange rates stand unchanged this week, with the pound still close to its highest rate against the euro since early October. This largely reflects two things: one, the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the North Coast of the US, including the States’ financial centre of New York, and two, the Presidential election next … [Read more...] about Euro unchanged on Sandy, presidential election