The interim Spanish prime minister, the socialist Pedro Sánchez, will aim to form a government this week. Outside the political noise, the Spanish economy continues to do well. April’s elections in Spain resulted in a fragmented parliament, making the formation of a government complicated. Acting prime minister Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE) goes to parliament this week to seek backing for his bid to form a...
Read More »Semaña grande for Sánchez
The interim Spanish prime minister, the socialist Pedro Sánchez, will aim to form a government this week. Outside the political noise, the Spanish economy continues to do well.April’s elections in Spain resulted in a fragmented parliament, making the formation of a government complicated. Acting prime minister Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE) goes to parliament this week to seek backing for his bid to form a government, with a parliamentary vote due to take place on July 23. To be...
Read More »A crucial start to the year for Catalonia
Spain, like Europe, continues to take political tensions in the region in its stride, but prolonged uncertainty could have an impact on the economy.Following the December regional elections, in which pro-independence parties won a majority of parliamentary seats, the main challenge in Catalonia will be the formation of a new coalition government. Catalan parties have until end March/early April to reach an agreement on the next regional president, failing which repeat elections may need to...
Read More »Limited market reaction to Catalan developments
Markets remain sanguine ahead of Catalan elections in December, but continuing uncertainty could hurt investor sentiment.On 27 October, the Catalan parliament voted for a unilateral declaration of independence. The same day, the Spanish senate approved the terms of application of Article 155 of the constitution, allowing Madrid to impose direct rule on Catalonia. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called a snap election in Catalonia for 21 December, earlier than any dates that had so far been...
Read More »Suspense in Catalonia
There are increasing chances that Madrid will impose direct rule on Catalonia. A prolonged stand-off could end up depressing activity, but for now we are not revising our growth outlook for Spain.This morning, the Catalan president failed to answer clearly whether Catalonia had declared independence or not. He reiterated that he had placed last week’s unilateral declaration of independence on hold in order to open up a “two-month process” to try to reach a deal with the central...
Read More »Spain to end its political gridlock?
Spain will try to break its nine-month political stalemate this week. Two months after the second round of general elections in Spain on 26 June, no government has been formed. Mariano Rajoy, the Popular Party (PP) leader and caretaker prime minister has been nominated by the king to head the government. The investiture debate will start on August 30, with a confidence vote on August 31. If unsuccessful, a second vote will be held on September 2, with a lower threshold for success (simple...
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