Good Intentions in Spain

Good Intentions in Spain
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By Howard Brereton - Typically Spanish Editor - Nov 28, 2009 - 3:08 PM

Minister for Tax and the Economy, Elena Salgado - EFE

Typically Spanish editor, Howard Brereton, argues that good intentions are not enough

Looking through the list of ideas of the Government’s star piece of legislation, the much heralded Sustainable Economy Law, one cannot help but agree with all the individual ideas.

Greater transparency in the financial sector, less red tape in the setting up of new businesses, and favouring innovation in environmentally friendly technologies are all worthy initiatives, but somehow they sound more like an election manifesto than a serious piece of legislation in the second term of a Socialist government. Presumably it is the very efficient and respected operator, Elena Salgado, who is behind the law, and that explains why such ideas were not established in the first legislature.

But I can only wonder how this can help in the main problem facing the country – that of unemployment. The thorny question of labour reform still remains to be resolved, at least the three sides are now taking again, but meanwhile the recession is continuing.

The star piece of legislation in the last term, the Dependency Law, was again an excellent initiative, but one which has since run into difficulties, not only because of objections and a lack of action in some PP regions, but also because of an underlying lack of funding. Where is the funding for the new Sustainable Economy Law going to come from?

The ideas may be good ones, but they have to be properly funded.

The same criticism can be made looking at the Partido Popular who last week announced that they will crack down on corruption, and party leader Mariano Rajoy came out and listed 50 things they are going to do.

Another 50 good intentions, but just days after the announcement we see the P.P. Mayor of Málaga come out and back a councillor who has admitted favouring a family business, using the weak reason of ‘good faith’. Mayor Francisco de la Torre considered the contracts did not prejudice the City Hall. He is wrong.

I guess it is good that the two main parties currently seem to have good intentions, as opposed to none at all, but it is all smoke and political mirrors if the plans are not finally put into practice.

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