Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s gamble that the snap election he called would help return Catalonia, one of Spain’s richest regions, to ‘normality and legality’ did not pay off, as the three pro-independence parties again won a narrow majority in the Catalan parliament on under 50% of the vote and a record turnout of 82%.
https://blog.realinstitutoelcano.org/en/catalonia-secessionist-parties-regain-control-of-the-regions-parliament/
Category: Elcano Royal Institute
Inside Spain (20 November -19 December)
Spain ‘pleased’ that Brexit Phase 2 can begin.
Catalans go to the polls in crucial election on the region’s future.
Spain’s population, second-fastest ageing after Japan.
OECD adds its voice to warning on Catalan crisis impact.
Técnicas Reunidas wins €3.5 billion refinery contract in Bahrain.
The potential impact of the Catalan crisis on the Spanish economy
The crisis in Catalonia, sparked by the regional government’s illegal proclamation of an independent state last month, is already exacting a toll on the Catalan economy and threatens to seriously weaken the wider Spanish economy if the situation is prolonged.
http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/wcm/connect/01e82708-49a4-463c-a65a-a632517a2e80/Commentary-Chislett-Potential-impact-Catalan-crisis-Spanish-economy.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=01e82708-49a4-463c-a65a-a632517a2e80
Inside Spain (19 September-19 October)
Government rejects Turkey’s request to extradite two writers.
Catalan president fails to clarify independence bid, raising prospect of direct rule of the region.
700 Catalan companies vote with their feet.
Spain, third EU country with most growth in risk of poverty.
Not everything has gone badly in Spain
In times of national angst, such as that caused by the struggle for independence in Catalonia, the most serious crisis in Spain since the attempted coup in 1981 and which turned violent when people tried to vote in last Sunday’s unconstitutional referendum, it is easy to become despondent and fall prey to the false belief that everything is going wrong in the country.
https://blog.realinstitutoelcano.org/en/not-everything-has-gone-badly-in-spain/
Inside Spain (17 July-19 September)
North-Korean diplomat expelled.
Government ramps up pressure against illegal Catalan independence referendum.
UN refugee agency says Spain lacks the capacity to handle migration crisis.
Growth to be upgraded, underpinned by stronger consumption and exports.
Ferrovial enters US airport market.
The conundrum of Spain’s recovering economy and stubbornly high unemployment
The economy has recovered from a deep crisis and is growing at more than 3% for the third year running, but the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at 17.2%, though well down on the peak of 27.1% in 2013.
http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/portal/rielcano_en/contenido?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/elcano/elcano_in/zonas_in/ari70-2017-chislett-conundrum-spain-recovering-economy-high-unemployment
Tensions in Spain’s vital tourism
Spain’s tourism industry, a cornerstone of the economy, will set yet another record this year, with the number of tourists forecast at 84 million, but it is beginning to become a victim of its own success.
https://blog.realinstitutoelcano.org/en/tensions-in-spain-vital-tourism-industry/
Inside Spain (20 June-17 July)
King Felipe in state visit to UK calls for new ‘arrangements’ over Gibraltar.
Catalan push for independence moves towards showdown with central government.
Population rises for first time since 2011 due to migration.
Parliament ratifies EU-Canada free-trade deal after Socialists abstain.
State-controlled lender Bankia takes over BMN.
Global Spain: the country’s economic, military and soft presence
Almost 500 years since Juan Sebastián Elcano completed the first circumnavigation of the world and a vast empire subsequently came into being, Spain has re-built a substantial but very different global presence.
http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/wcm/connect/57d01e71-349f-413d-8c6e-cd0f3863d534/WP8-2017-Chislett-Global-Spain-economic-military-soft-power.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&cacheid=1498814484125
William Chislett 