Zapatero says he feels responsible for the unemployed

Zapatero says he feels responsible for the unemployed
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By h.b. - Mar 9, 2010 - 7:27 AM

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero - EFE

The Spanish Prime Minister gave an interview on TVE television on Monday night

Interviewed on Spanish television on Monday night, the Prime Minister said that he felt responsible for the people who have lost their jobs in the recession.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said that with the VAT/IVA increase planned for July the Government would be able to pay for the unemployed between July and the end of the year. He noted that Spain has one of the three lowest VAT rates in Europe.

He said his biggest concern was for the youngsters who earlier gave up their studies to work in construction. He said the future Social Pact with the unions and employers would make special provision for them.

Asked about the movement of the retirement age he noted that it was not an electioneering measure, but that the Government had to oversee the future of the pensions system.

Zapatero admitted that he did not foresee the magnitude of the recession, but then again neither did anyone else, and he noted that credit was still not flowing to companies and families.

He called on the Venezuela Government to respect the judicial institutions of Spain and also ex Prime Minister, José María Aznar, and went on to say it was his obligation and responsibility to recognise the work of National Court judge Baltasar Garzón in the fight against ETA, and that by saying so he interfered with nobody.

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