Spain and Saudi Arabia sign controversial warships deal worth €2bn.
Catalan independence struggle goes international.
Basque terrorist group ETA plans to dissolve by mid-June.
Spain finally meets budget deficit target in 2017, but still no budget for 2018.
ACS wins €1bn bydroelectric contract in Canada.
The companies that comprise the Ibex 35, the benchmark index of the Madrid Stock Exchange, generated a record 67.7% of their revenues abroad in 2017.
Madrid calls for shared management of Gibraltar’s airport.
Court says jailed candidate to be new Catalan Premier cannot leave prison for investiture vote, raising prospect of fresh elections.
Pensioners’ protests force parties to look at reform.
Ibex 35 companies notch up new record in international revenues.
Spain’s exporting prowess continued in 2017 when sales of goods abroad increased for the eighth straight year and notched up a new record of €277.1 billion, close to one-quarter of GDP.
http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/portal/rielcano_en/contenido?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/elcano/elcano_in/zonas_in/commentary-chislett-spain-continuing-export-boom
Economy Minister Luis de Guindos secures ECB vice-presidency.
Government digs in over Catalan independence crisis.
Spain barely remains a ‘full democracy’, drops in EIU ranking.
Exports of goods notch up yet another record.
ACS wins €3.3 billion contract for Montreal’s automatic passenger transport system.
Catalan independence crisis causes German company to cancel €6mn laboratory.
Spain to boost defence spending and send more troops abroad.
New Catalan parliament’s pro-independence speaker calls for deposed Puigdemont to be re-elected the region’s Premier.
Catalan electoral success propels Ciudadanos towards national victory.
Madrid fails to fully implement any of the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption measures.
Economy revives, but growth could be stymied by Catalan independence crisis
Spanish-built high-speed train in Saudi Arabia successfully completes first test run.
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/
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 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
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.
William Chislett 