According to the National Statistics Institue (INE), the number of mortgages signed in December fell by 12.5% compared to the previous month, making it twenty consecutive months of decline.
Spain suspends six EU indicators
Spain has suspended six of the ten macroeconomic indicators of the European Union – unemployment, public debt, private debt, exports, investment and net current account balance – after the EU identified serious and ‘excessive’ imbalances.
Massaging the figures
Although it is hard to believe that a politician would do such a thing [sic], the European Commission seems to be of the opinion that the Government of Mariano Rajoy inflated the 2011 deficit figure so that any economic recovery during 2012 would appear more flattering.
New PSOE Executive
The president of the Junta de Andalucia, José Antonio Griñán, has been selected as PSOE president in the new executive led by Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, replacing Manuel Chaves. This was despite Griñán’s candidacy not being supported by the new leader.
Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba elected as leader of the PSOE
Former deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba has been elected as secretary general of the PSOE, beating Carme Chacon by 487 votes (51.16%) to 465 (48.84%) votes. There were two blank voting papers and one was void.
Unemployment tops five million
The number of unemployed at the end of 2011 hit five million for the first time with 5,273,600 out of work, that’s 22.85% of the registered workforce.
Return to bimonthly electricity bills on the horizon
A return to bimonthly electricity bills could be on the horizon after the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism sent a draft decree to the National Energy Commission (CNE).
Manuel Fraga dies at his home aged 89 years
The founding president of the Partido Popular, Manuel Fraga, has died at his home in Madrid at the age of 89 years old and his role in Spanish political life has been praised unanimously by representatives of almost all political parties.
2011 tourist numbers
According to the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, the number of international vistors to Spain during 2011 was up by 8.1% with spending also up by 8.1%.
Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna
Barcelona have one foot in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey after a comfortable 4-0 first leg victory over Osasuna on Wednesday night.