Economía

The political trench is also polarizing the analysis of the Spanish economic situation. No nuances: either everything is going very well or absolutely very badly. Despite the positive data, the latest two days ago, an annual growth rate of 2.7% in the second quarter, the decline in unemployment and the increase in employment, the debate has focused on the theoretical artificiality of that dynamic, which would derive exclusively from the simple accumulation of more immigrant workers, without any real improvement in the economy, especially regarding citizens’ income. No model changes either, always centered on tourism and low-value services.

The economic and civil world bid farewell this noon to the former president of La Caixa, Josep Vilarasau, at the funeral held at the Tanatori de Sant Gervasi in Barcelona. The executive passed away last Tuesday in Barcelona at the age of 95.

Catalonia has been carrying a deficit in the execution of state investment of almost 13 billion euros since 2009, a burden that, according to the construction sector, explains much of the accumulated delay in infrastructure. The Cambra de Contractistes d’Obres de Catalunya (CCOC) warns that the State only executed 57.4% of the budgeted investments last year, while calling for doubling the volume of public works to recover lost ground.

Most citizens have become accustomed to making our purchases using a bank card. It is a comfortable, easy, fast, and effective system that saves us various hassles or inconveniences: having to find an ATM, always carrying cash, or relying on the establishment we visit to have change available. To the usual advantages, we must now add another additional benefit: the possibility that the amount we have spent returns to our account. This is known as “cashback” (literally, “money back”), a reward formula that, in recent times, has started to gain popularity in some banks and stores.

After three consecutive months with inflation remaining at 3.2%, in July it has risen three tenths to 3.5%. The war in Iran has its effects, although limited by the two sets of measures that the Government has adopted since the conflict broke out, the latest still in force until the end of September.

The signals pointed to the economy accelerating in the second quarter and the data has confirmed it. GDP grew by 0.7% in the period, one tenth above the increase in the first three months of the year. A positive figure that supports the Government’s macro forecasts, which have set growth this year at 2.6%. With today’s data, the accumulated growth for the whole year is already 2.2%, therefore, the forecast is on track to be met.

The extraordinary benefit for workers affected by the fires approved today by the Council of Ministers can be claimed for four months, does not require a prior contribution period, and does not consume future benefits. In addition, the aid also extends to the relatives of those affected. These are the characteristics of this specific aid for those affected by the fires that are ravaging Spanish territory these days, especially Madrid, Toledo, and Ávila. These are measures for salaried workers, with similar ones for the self-employed, to whom it will be applied through the cessation of activity, detailed in the royal decree law accessed by “La Vanguardia”.

The Plenary Session of the Congress of Deputies approved this Thursday, with 175 votes in favor (140 abstentions and 33 against), the validation of the royal decree of measures in response to the war in the Middle East. This regulation, approved by the Council of Ministers on June 29, includes fuel discounts that will be progressively withdrawn for families until their elimination in October, while they are maintained for farmers, transporters, and fishermen. In addition, the progressive elimination of the tax on energy production will be carried out, a measure that has been demanded by PP and Junts, and applauded by CEOE.

The European Central Bank (ECB) presented on Wednesday the ten finalist designs for the next generation of euro banknotes and has opened a public consultation so that citizens of the eurozone can express their preferences before the final decision.

As expected, the European Central Bank (ECB) today Thursday kept interest rates at 2.5%, with an eye on the worsening conflict in the Middle East and the impact it may have on inflation.