The IMF has urged Spain to continue its neo-liberal reforms, in an indication of concern that elections in the fall could deliver a more progressive government than the current regime of Mariano Rajoy. It is calling for the part-privatisation of health and education, through ‘co-payments’ for services. It also wants to see further deregulation of … Continue reading
Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, under whose tenure unemployment jumped to a record high of 6 million people out of work, has made job creation the centrepiece of his campaign for re-election campaign later this year. But in contrast to positive growth signals, the latest jobs figures confirm a catastrophic record, argues Vicente Clavero For … Continue reading
This week France’s government forced a controversial deregulatory economic bill through parliament by decree, provoking a confidence vote and further splits within the ruling socialists, with rebels including former minister Benoît Hamon. Drafted by a one-time investment banker and designed to win respite from the German-led EU over draconian deficit reduction demands, it has been pursued in the name of … Continue reading