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Articles by Fernando Gonzalez Urbaneja

About the Author

Fernando Gonzalez Urbaneja
Over 30 years working in economic journalism. Fernando was founder and chief-editor at El País, general editor at the business daily Cinco Días, and now teaches at Universidad Carlos III. He's been president of the Madrid Press Association and the Spanish Federation of Press Associations. He's also member of the Spanish press complaints commission.
JORDI PUJOL1

In Europe 28th July 2014

Catalonia and the Pujol Case: corruption in the heart of the establishment

MADRID | By Fernando G. Ubaneja | Several corruption cases have put Spain under the international spotlight. The latest, which emerged by surprise on Friday and has been the talk of the town since then, is related to one its most controversial and rich regions: Catalonia. The independence campaign suffered a setback after the leading figure of Catalan nationalism Jordi Pujol admitted keeping undeclared funds in fiscal havens.

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In Europe 24th July 2014

Spain’s jobs report shows a weak, uncertain but real recovery

MADRID | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | Both the evolution of the GDP and employment in 2Q confirm that the Spanish recovery has arrived: it’s a weak, subject to uncertainty one, but undeniable. Official data released on Thursday were above expectations: 400,000 new employed, 310,000 less unemployed and a crucial piece of data: nearly 100,000 more occupied Spaniards. It’s the best data of the past 26 quarters, since mid-2007. But we should not forget the poor-quality contracts nor the 2 million long-duration jobless.

 

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In Europe 2nd July 2014

Spain: Employment follows recovery path

MADRID | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | June employment data are the best in the last seven years: economy is moving and employment reflects an activity with generalised increases in sectors and regions. Spanish growth is still slight but significant after seven years of decline. (Graph: Charles Butler @ibexsalad)

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In Europe 16th May 2014

Spanish banks mitigate reliance on ECB

MADRID | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | In the midst of the financial turmoil (2012), the ECB facilitated liquidity to avoid the collapse of the European banks when the inter banking market was dried up and nobody lent money. The central bank had to act as “last resort banker” and maintain the system as well as guarantee liquidity. Those credit lines are amortized once their function has been accomplished. Now, they are preparing other measures to stimulate growth and avoid other threats such as deflation or stagnation.

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Spanish economy 29th April 2014

Jobless queue shrinks in Spain, but 26% rate still dents recovery

MADRID | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | New employment data released on Tuesday still point to a draining situation in the eurozone’s forth economy. Employment destruction speed is simply slowing, not stopping. Unemployed queue shrank by 2,300 people, to 5.93 million, and rate climbed to 25.93 percent in the first three months of 2014, up from 25.73 percent in the previous quart. Something that is sharply denting the economic recovery. 

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Companies 11th April 2014

Loyal to its initial spirit, La Caixa becomes a foundation

MADRID | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | A Council of 15 members with different sensibilities, experiences, but solid and with personality. The new La Caixa Foundation maintains the character of the old savings bank, and is committed to professional and political independence. A delicate and subtle game of checks and balances.

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In Europe 19th March 2014

Spanish Public Debt Reaches One Trillion

MADRID | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | Spanish households and businesses were the most indebted at the beginning of the crisis (80% of the total), but now their debt is getting smaller in a systematic and decided way. The same cannot be said of the State, which keeps increasing its public debt with equal zeal (or even more) and has gone from less than 20% at the beginning of the crisis to 36% this week (and still growing).

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Spanish economy 23rd January 2014

Less unemployment also means less jobs in Spain

MADRID | By Fernando G.Urbaneja | With no possibility to devaluate currency, 3.7 million jobs have dissapeared in Spain’s society. This data should force Spanish political leaders as well as population to start a long and profound debate.