Do you ever get the feeling that a lot of what's happening with the PIGS story is economic elites wanting to use this as an opportunity to kill European social democracy, a la the shock doctrine?
Spain is the victim of an international conspiracy focused on destroying the country's economic standing and via that the euro. That's the plain and simple view of the Spanish government, or at least its Development minister, Jose Blanco, according to an article in Monday's Expansion newspaper -- Spain's premier financial daily. ... While the economic vice, Elena Salgado, has traveled to London today to appease the spirits of investors, Development Minister, Jose Blanco, accused the "financial speculators" of orchestrating a plot against the euro and the Spanish market. "Nothing is happening in the world, including foreign newspaper publishers, is casual or innocent," said Blanco. The deputy general secretary of the PSOE denounced an "attack against the euro and the existence of" somewhat murky maneuvers "to avoid scrutiny of financial markets.
That's the plain and simple view of the Spanish government, or at least its Development minister, Jose Blanco, according to an article in Monday's Expansion newspaper -- Spain's premier financial daily.
...
While the economic vice, Elena Salgado, has traveled to London today to appease the spirits of investors, Development Minister, Jose Blanco, accused the "financial speculators" of orchestrating a plot against the euro and the Spanish market. "Nothing is happening in the world, including foreign newspaper publishers, is casual or innocent," said Blanco. The deputy general secretary of the PSOE denounced an "attack against the euro and the existence of" somewhat murky maneuvers "to avoid scrutiny of financial markets.
The comments come from a Socialist minister, but I can't help but notice the outlets that seem to be covering this. (El Mundo, Expansion ,owned by the same group as El Mundo, ABC, etc) All rightish media sources. I bet that they are not pleased, because this is precisely the kind of thing (the idea of a bank based conspiracy) that could allow ZP to rally some support around him now that he's fallen in the polls. So it seems that they are trying to paint him as paranoid, but it isn't really working.
Of course, I see Robert Rubin and the boys at Goldman Sachs in any sort of thing like this. They've become the Mr. Burns (Simpson's reference) of the financial world. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
I think ZP has lost control of the situation narrative-wise so I don't think this will help. The whole government is in damage-control mode and I personally find Salgado's visit to The City to reassure whomever that Spain's government will cut public spending alternately ridiculous and infuriating.
See El Pais (Google translation follows)
Zapatero will appear in Congress forced by all groups The Prime Minister will go next week to report on the crisis and the European summit. "The socialist group run out of allies for help ... The Government lacked the support to stop the hearing after being PNV and CiU have joined the initial request by the PP. Other groups such as ERC also supports the conclusion of the hearing. Therefore, the chief executive will be at their request.
The Prime Minister will go next week to report on the crisis and the European summit. "The socialist group run out of allies for help
The Government lacked the support to stop the hearing after being PNV and CiU have joined the initial request by the PP. Other groups such as ERC also supports the conclusion of the hearing. Therefore, the chief executive will be at their request.
I'm thinking of writing a diary in the vein of an open letter to ZP about this situation. En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
