Joan Tapia | The downward revision of growth in Spain in the second quarter (from 0.5% to 0.4%), following that of the first quarter (from an optimistic 0.7% to 0.5%), and a slower rate of job creation, have disturbed forecasts and the economic climate.
The Catalan process has been one of the major causes of friction in contemporary Spanish history. After two years of judicial process, Spain´s Supreme Court has considered proven that during Autumn of 2017 there were “undoubted episodes of violence” in Catalonia, but does not think these sufficient to condemn the separatist leaders for rebellion, as sought by the Public Prosecutor.
Spain’s consumer price inflation hit the lowest in more than three years in September, according to data from the statistical office INE. The CPI edged up 0.1 percent year-on-year in September, following a 0.3 percent rise in August. This was the lowest rate since August 2016, when prices dropped 0.1 percent. The result, which coincides with some analysts’ forecast such as Funcas, is due to the fall in prices of energy products, especially gas and electricity.
Círculo de Empresarios | In August, Spain recorded the third largest economic slowdown among OECD countries, after Ireland and Slovenia. Between January and August, the arrival of international tourists to Spain increased by 1.5% year-on-year and tourism spending increased by 3.2% year-on-year.
Industrial Production in Spain rebounded strongly in August. Specifically, it advanced to + 1.7% a / avs. + 0.6% estimated and + 1.2% above (revised upwards from + 0.8%).
Nicolás García Rivas (The Conversation) | The separatist leaders currently in prison – or fleeing justice – are accused of rebellion, the most serious crime against the constitution. All because of the events which took place two years ago, following the adoption by the Catalan parliament of various laws of “disconnection” of Catalonia from Spain and its subsequent separation from our State.
Fernando G. Urbaneja | A week ago, I pointed out as a hypothesis that “as it seems unlikely, as unassuming, another failure to form a government, new possibilities for pacts are opened that months ago were impossible because of the stubbornness of their leaders. In early 2020 these impossible pacts may be inevitable.” I made a mistake in judgement. No need to wait until 2020, new possibilities for pacts have appeared. The scenario before the next legislature in Spain is much more flexible than the previous one.
The Spanish economy grew 0.4% in the second quarter, one tenth less than in the previous quarter and also a tenth less than advanced at the end of July. It is the lowest rate of quarterly growth in three years, according to the National Accounts published this Monday by the National Institute for Statistics (INE).
Fernando G. Urbaneja | Spanish politicians have been unable to interpret last April´s elections and, having dissolved parliament, have summoned Spaniards to vote again on 10 November. In principle it seems that the new parliament will look much like the old one, but the latest polls detect some changes among the voters.
Ana Fuentes | New Spanish elections: the political parties have been incapable of reaching agreement and the Spanish will have to vote again. They will be the fourth elections in four years. A period in which the credibility of the politicians, the patience of the voters and the economic muscle of the country have been worn thin, due to both internal and external factors.