Arek Sinanian | What will the outcome be of the latest UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid? Have you ever tried walking on a travellator? You know, those moving platforms at airports that help you get to your destination when you are in a hurry or tired, or have a lot of baggage to carry. This is the image I have of the last few Conferences of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations.
TJ Jetnil, Factset Insight | There is increased demand from the financial services industry to efficiently and effectively engage and communicate with clients. Two primary audiences in financial services are trying to solve different but related challenges: asset managers and wealth managers.
Shaun Riordan │ The volatile and uncertain business world needs new forms of corporate management. This should be no surprise. In a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) international environment, we also need new approaches to leadership and strategy training.
Shaun Riordan | Pedro Sánchez has failed to secure election as Spain´s Prime Minister in the second investiture vote in the Spanish parliament today. He needed only a simple majority. But the break down in negotiations with Podemos, and their decision to abstain, left Sanchez´ socialist party (PSOE) in a minority. The problems between the two parties seem to have centred not on policy but on the distribution of ministerial portfolios in a coalition government. Sanchez conceded that Podemos could hold ministerial positions, but the far left party complained that the portfolios he offered lacked real substance.
Fernando G. Urbaneja | Throughout the trial of “separatism”, in concrete of the seditious activities carried out by the accused, the separatist strategy of discrediting Spanish democracy and its institutions (a form of the black legend) systematically using international fora and media, has, once again, remained clear.
Alicia Garcia Herrero (Natixis/Bruegel) | Only a few days before Li Keqiang’s official visit to Brussels for the EU-China summit on April 2019, Xi Jinping has conducted his second trip to Southern Europe in only five months. Such a keen interest in Southern Europe is hard to understand, especially if one considers that Chinese high level officials are busy negotiating with the US to reach a deal to halt the trade war.
Luis Alcaide | Spanish government with its parliamentary minority has administered, but without exposing itself to dangerous risks difficult. It has pushed its budget, with its own proposals, knowing it will not be approved. But as Groucho Marx said “here is another one”. The increase in the minimum wage has already shown their socialist colours. We need to continue to take care of the economy. It is not that easy, but not that hard either.
Ana Fuentes | A special rapporteur from the UN visited Spain to “collect first hand information on the situation of minorities in the country, identify good practice and key areas which need improvement”. Why he chose the fourth economy in the Eurozone after Bostwana and Slovenia is a mystery.