Picking a person of the year is difficult enough in times of economic calm and social stability, but in times of crisis it’s arguably harder. When the economy is struggling and leaders are held in low esteem, it’s hard to find individuals whose achievements make them stand out, for better or worse. So inevitably, the shortlist of Iberians of 2012 that managing editor Andrew Eatwell and I have drawn up has been dominated by the crisis that the peninsula – in particular the Spanish side of it – is suffering. There’s always a risk that calling those nominated the “people of the year” glorifies them, or at least suggests they are being cast in a positive light. But our nominees are not … [Read more...] about Choosing the Iberians of 2012
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Iberian of the Year 2012: Artur Mas
For most of 2012, Catalonia was just one of many political concerns in the wing mirror of the Spanish government. The region’s premier, Artur Mas i Gavarró, had been pressing for increased economic powers for some time, arguing that Catalonia did not receive enough investment from the Spanish state in exchange for the taxes it paid. For the government in Madrid, this was nothing new or particularly worrying. But on September 11, as Catalonia celebrated its national day, the Diada, hundreds of thousands of people marched through the streets of Barcelona, behind a banner calling for independence for the region. This outpouring of separatist feeling surprised the world – and the rest of … [Read more...] about Iberian of the Year 2012: Artur Mas
Juan Manuel Sánchez Gordillo
For some, the answer to the economic crisis is austerity. For others it is credit, or job creation. For the mayor of the Andalusian town of Marinaleda, direct action is the most apt response. In the summer, Sánchez Gordillo and fellow members of the SAT labour union grabbed the headlines by organising “food grabs” in two supermarkets. Activists carted food out of the shops without paying, insisting it would be donated to local charities. Sánchez Gordillo saw this as a symbolic move to illustrate the extent of Spain’s troubles and he also led a series of protest marches and squats on unused land across the south. In Marinaleda itself, the bearded, charismatic mayor claims to have established … [Read more...] about Juan Manuel Sánchez Gordillo
Artur Mas
[sharethis] For most of 2012, Catalonia was just one of many political concerns in the wing mirror of the Spanish government. The region’s premier, Artur Mas i Gavarró, had been pressing for increased economic powers for some time, arguing that Catalonia did not receive enough investment from the Spanish state in exchange for the taxes it paid. For the government in Madrid, this was nothing new or particularly worrying. But on September 11, as Catalonia celebrated its national day, the Diada, hundreds of thousands of people marched through the streets of Barcelona, behind a banner calling for independence for the region. This outpouring of separatist feeling surprised the world – and the … [Read more...] about Artur Mas
Spain’s Congress protests in pictures
All images: Felipe Fuente … [Read more...] about Spain’s Congress protests in pictures
Euro continues to fall on Spanish budget, Catalonia doubts
Welcome to the Pure FX account of the latest changes in the euro exchange rate, covering the 21st to 28th September 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 rate changes this week: GBPEUR: 1.2511 to 1.2577 (+0.528%) GBPUSD: 1.6252 to 1.6267 (+0.092%) EURUSD: 1.2987 to 1.2933 (-0.416%) So it looks like that fall in the euro that we saw last week, following the common currency’s two-month climb against the pound and US dollar, wasn’t a one-off then: this week, the euro has again lost out against its main counterparts. This currently puts the pound and greenback at a two-week … [Read more...] about Euro continues to fall on Spanish budget, Catalonia doubts
Violence mars Congress protest
Rajoy prepares for an autumn of discontent
They call it operación retorno: hundreds of thousands of Spaniards get into their cars at the end of their holidays and drive back to their towns and cities to resume their lives. This year, like most, it has seen endless queues of overheated cars fill Spain’s roads on the last weekend of August, peopled by families dreading the return to the office or school. Just eight months into his tenure and with a handsome majority in Congress, Mariano Rajoy should be bounding back to work with a springier step than most. But instead, the prime minister could be forgiven for wishing he were in one of those sweaty, late-summer traffic jams. Rajoy’s honeymoon period finished months ago, if indeed … [Read more...] about Rajoy prepares for an autumn of discontent
A slice of Vegas in Spain stirs controversy
It sounds like the answer to the prayers of the Spanish government. A multi-billion-dollar gambling complex led by an American tycoon who promises to bring the glamour of California to Spain and kick-start the country’s struggling economy by creating a quarter of a million jobs. But EuroVegas, as it’s known, is also a scheme that has sparked fears about spiralling crime, prostitution and environmental violations and which has highlighted the age-old tensions between Spain’s two main cities. American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, with an estimated $25-billion fortune, plans to build a European gambling hub that will include six casinos and 12 hotels. His Las Vegas Sands company says … [Read more...] about A slice of Vegas in Spain stirs controversy
Euro plunges as Spain cuts deeper
Changes over one week: GBPEUR: 1.254 to 1.267 (+1.037%) - Highest point since October 23, 2008 USDEUR: 0.807 to 0.82 (+1.161) - Highest point since June 18, 2010 Oh, Spain! As you can see above, the euro sits at multi-year lows against both the pound and US dollar this week, giving you a good opportunity if you intend to emigrate to the continent, or snap up some Eurozone goods. Yet the reasons for the euro’s decline could be better. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has announced another €65 billion in spending cuts for the Iberian nation, already widely discredited as the best way to keep Spain in recession. (For instance, Jeremy Warner of telegraph.co.uk notes, “The … [Read more...] about Euro plunges as Spain cuts deeper