When Spain joined the European Union in 1986, many people thought the death knell for bullfighting had sounded. The modernising effect of membership of the bloc would stretch beyond the confines of the national economy and infrastructure, they reasoned, to the more ethically charged area of los toros. But the doomsayers were wrong – or at least partly so. The late eighties and early nineties saw something of a resurgence of interest in bullfighting, reflected both in opinion polls and the number of bullfights being staged. And yet, nearly three decades on, the writing really does seem to be on the wall for the fiesta: fewer than 500 bullfights will be held this year, compared to 2,700 … [Read more...] about A slow death in the afternoon
Spain News
Spain ahead of the US in bankers’ prosecution
Spain has prosecuted more bankers, imposed more restrictions on their “golden parachutes” and seems to have hit failing institutions with higher fines for misleading investors than the United States since the outset of the financial crisis. Although Miguel Blesa, the former president of Caja Madrid, which was later merged into Bankia, was released from prison without charge last week, 89 of his colleagues were awaiting sentence for alleged wrongdoing during their tenures at the helms of nine savings banks. Meanwhile, in the United States the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has filed fewer than 50 lawsuits against officers and directors of failed institutions since 2010 and none … [Read more...] about Spain ahead of the US in bankers’ prosecution
Tales for Tapas: The right lines
Perhaps the most notable aspect of Monday’s opening of the high-speed train link between Madrid and Valencia was not the protest against Prince Felipe (reflecting the ebbing popularity of the Royal Family) or against Alicante Mayor Sonia Castedo (currently experiencing corruption-related issues) or against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (for whom no new reason is apparently needed in order to prompt a demonstration). The notable thing was that the protests – and, coincidentally, the celebrations – were so modest. Prince Felipe pointed out that Spain’s high-speed rail network (which every report on the event conscientiously pointed out is the world’s second largest after China’s) is “an … [Read more...] about Tales for Tapas: The right lines
Desperate Zaragoza fan seeks solution in the crowd
Like most Real Zaragoza fans José Antonio Visús is fed up. Since Agapito Iglesias, the team owner, bought the club in 2006, fans have suffered one season in second division and have consistently finished near the bottom of the table. Now it’s back to second division. While most supporters are pessimistic and flat out angry, Visús actually wants to do something about the situation. He’s rallying the club’s fans and asking them to contribute whatever they can to try to get rid of Iglesias. His solution? Crowdfunding. Iglesias isn’t selling, but Zaragoza fans want to buy. Visús, a relatively unknown lawyer until recently, figures that if he can get €2 million in crowdfunding from fan … [Read more...] about Desperate Zaragoza fan seeks solution in the crowd
Tales for Tapas: Japanese lessons
Good news from Tokyo this week, where French President François Hollande used the occasion of a state visit to Japan to announce that the Eurozone crisis is over. So, that’s alright then. Mr Hollande developed his up-beat thesis by asserting that the recent unpleasantness will result in long-term benefits, as it has led to banking union, as well as better economic governance and better intra-government coordination. At which point less ebullient observers might be forgiven for sounding a cautionary note – that it may lead to these desirable things but hasn’t conclusively done so, at least not yet. The worst (if you take a very optimistic view) could be over, but basic disagreements … [Read more...] about Tales for Tapas: Japanese lessons
The end of ETA…still?
At the beginning of June, dozens of white dove-shaped balloons were released into the sky above the Basque city of Bilbao. The gesture was to mark the end of Gesto por la Paz, a platform of peaceful anti-ETA campaigners, who after 28 years believed their work had been done. As a symbol of optimism and peace in the Basque Country it could hardly have been more striking. ETA has not killed on Spanish soil since 2009 and in October 2011, it declared a “definitive” end to a campaign of violence that started in the late 1960s. And yet, the weeks both leading up to and since Gesto por la Paz’s closure have somehow cast doubt on the idea that the Basque Country is enjoying a new era of peace. … [Read more...] about The end of ETA…still?
Turbo-charged exports won’t drive Spain out of the crisis
Spain’s exports share of GDP has jumped from just 23 percent at the outset of 2009 to close to 35 percent in 2013. In March, the country registered its first trade surplus since records began in 1971, becoming the only European Union member whose sales abroad increased during the first quarter. This has unleashed a wave of optimism among foreign media, analysts and the government. “Spain's Crisis Fades as Exports Transform Country”, was the headline of a recent Bloomberg news story. Daniele Antonucci, senior European economist at Morgan Stanley, told CNBC in April that Spanish economic growth will come from outbound sales, a point of view Luis de Guindos, Spain’s minister of economy and … [Read more...] about Turbo-charged exports won’t drive Spain out of the crisis
Tales for Tapas: Because we can
It must be nice to have sold a hundred million records. It no doubt puts a spring in the step and adds zest to the bank account. In the case of one popular American rock group, it makes it possible to throw commerce to the winds and perform for free. Ticket prices for Bon Jovi’s Madrid concert at the end of June were reduced by more than half when band members waived their own fee out of solidarity with Spanish fans enduring the rigours of austerity. (Among other things, this enables those with a curious cast of mind to calculate through rudimentary arithmetic the hourly rate that middle-aged rock stars customarily command for getting stadiums full of people to sing along rapturously to a … [Read more...] about Tales for Tapas: Because we can
What new holiday rental licences in Spain could mean
Property experts have been reassuring holiday homeowners in Spain that there's no need to fear plans to introduce holiday rental licences in the country just yet. The Spanish government's proposals to licence the rental of holiday homes have caused confusion, with many holiday homeowners voicing concerns that the new laws could act as a deterrent for people thinking of renting out their property to a tourist as they normally would. The proposals have caused some cash-strapped expats to feel uneasy, with concerns especially among those homeowners who only rent out their properties at peak times of the year. The proposals would include a tax on holiday rental income and would mean any … [Read more...] about What new holiday rental licences in Spain could mean
La Liga: Big-name exodus as season ends
On Saturday, with a wave to the hardcore Ultra fans at the final whistle, he was off. José Mourinho had made his exit after three years at the helm of Real Madrid and he was not the only one, with an exodus of big names from la liga this summer. With no major international football tournament being played this year, the summer trading has got off to a quick start with a host of big players making a quick exit. Another Madrid man, this time from across town, made a highly anticipated big-money move. Radamel Falcao, who has been a revelation for Atlético Madrid since his arrival two years ago, has been courted by a host of clubs this season, with the like of Chelsea, Manchester United … [Read more...] about La Liga: Big-name exodus as season ends