There is a lot of talk at the moment about Spanish pensions. But, it would appear, not enough. At least it is by no means clear that public opinion and voters are very aware of what is about to land on top of them: that in 2017 the pension piggy bank will be empty. And what will happen then?
Spanish companies like Santander, Zara, Freixenet, ACS, Repsol, Roca, Iberdrola, Abertis, Telefónica, Melia or Ferrovial, to mention only a very few, are the companies which are behind this internationalisation of our country’s economy. Over the last few years, they have given a considerable boost to the Spanish economy’s presence across the globe.
Spain’s competitiveness increased in the third quarter compared to other eurozone and OECD countries, with consumer prices indices as a reference, according to the Competitive Trend Index compiled by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.
Spain’s Committee for Competitiveness in Business has had zero influence over this year when the country has been without a government. Set up in 2011 by the heads of the 15 biggest Spanish companies, its aim was to boost the economic recovery and strengthen international investor confidence.
The Bank of Spain’s (BoS) Financial Stability Report usually puts its finger on the problem when it highlights the main risks affecting the banking business. As well as low interest rates and the deterioriation in both Spanish and global economic prospects, the BoS’ latest report points to another factor which has not warranted so much attention: the decline in the prices of financial assets, both in fixed income securities and equities.
Mr Rajoy has appointed his new cabinet ministers on Friday. When we talk about governance in Spain, with what is clearly a minority government, the socialist party’s participation in this future looks inevitable. And only then will we witness its capacity for reinvention and getting past the slogans.
Spanish think tank Funcas said this week it forecasts an average annual inflation rate in Spain of 1.5% in 2017, although it is feasible that this could reach 2% in one month or other during the first half of next year due to factors like the uptick in oil prices.
A few weeks ago Spanish soprano Ainhoa Arteta let loose and made some harsh comments to the press, complaining that the Inland Revenue is “crushing” her with taxes. And once again everyone is betting the government will implement tax hikes to provide a solution for the 5 billion euros imbalance in the public deficit and comply with the 3.1% target demanded by the European Commission.
If demographics fail, the economy doesn’t grow and employment stagnates, then there is no difference at all between the pay-as-you go system (Spain’s current state pension system) and the capitalisation scheme (put forward as a miraculous solution, now used in private pension schemes), says expert Niko Garnier.
Today Mariano Rajoy has been sworn in as Prime Minister after Saturday’s investiture session. He obtained a simple parliamentary majority with 170 votes in favour, 69 abstentions, 111 votes against and 1 absentee. So at last the period of uncertainty which had lasted since December 2015 is over.