Lenox

Alfredo Rubalcaba, the beardy from the PSOE, wants to ask the other political parties in Spain to agree to an intention to stop corruption within their ranks. Corruption, says Rubalcaba, has opened a terrible wound in la democracia española.
An odd story as the PSOE is noted for its high levels of corruption - both nationally, regionally and (above all) at a local level. My opinion is that corruption and self-improvement are rampant in the game of politics. At least, in conservative parties (where the accent is on capital, wealth and profit) it is something to be expected. However, socialism is loosely defined as 'helping share out the riches with everyone'. Not in Spain though. How many rags to riches socialistas have there been?

Domino

isn't "Honest Politics" a good example of an oxymoron ?

amideislas

oddly reminds me of a gangster film I recently watched.

Pocaloca

I've found at local level at least, politics is less about parties and ideologies, and more about personalities and what side your family was on in the war. So we get PP mayors forming coalitions with the IU and vice versa, PSOE mayors getting into bed with right wing capitalists, and so forth. There are good guys and bad guys in all parties. Normal rules don't apply!

mikelincs

+1

Like the old saying, 'how can you tell a politician in lying' 'their lips move'

Dick Dasterdly

True,

Bit of a shock to the system to see those two words side by side so I just had to check it out.

Just more hot air and pie in the sky I fancy, though I do confess to becoming more cynical with every passing day for some strange reason.

agoreira

Spain is leaving the euro in 2014, well according to this.
http://www.elconfidencial.com/mercad...ar-empleo-8054

olivefarmer

It could do much worse.

olivefarmer

Fitch, the credit ratings agency, are saying today that unless Spain takes a bailout it will have to consider reducing its credit rating.

I guess the Christmas Break is now over.

amideislas

Here's the ENGLISH TRANSLATION.

steviedeluxe

Interview with Rajoy in the FT. States yet again that the second half of 2013 will see the recovery, and that 2014 will be even better.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4304f0ba-5...#axzz2I7msIirr

Fredbargate

He is a politician, his lips moved therefore it is a lie.

Pocaloca

Can't view the FT, don't have a subscription.

Better for who???

rspltd

If they do leave I hope they are made to give back all the money they have taken out.

Dick Dasterdly

Ha ha, fat chance of that !