Re: Trouble in Burgos
 

Spanish councils don't consult anybody on anything though. Occasionally this has the advantage that they can push through worthwhile projects a lot quicker than the UK for example. Placing much of Madrid's M30 ringroad underground and developing the river springs to mind. But so many projects are just wasteful. We've all heard of the airports, toll roads, etc, but also things like paying for the pope to visit Madrid a few years ago, or endless olympic bids just add to the bill.

Re: Trouble in Burgos
 

I hear what you are saying, but when you vote for your alcalde, diputado etc you are in effect electing him to represent you, to make decisions on your behalf. As I said we aren't going to like all of them, but we can't hold a referendum on every little issue, like a car park, nothing would ever get done. I bet most people were delighted when their little pueblo got a new airport, new autovía, I doubt many questioned whether it was affordable. I know I was never asked whether London should apply for the Olympics or whether I was in favour of HS2.

Re: Trouble in Burgos
 

With a few isolated exceptions, nearly all Spanish council candidates are financed by the main political parties (who in turn are financed by the state - i.e. the tax payer) and all the main Spanish parties insist on perpetuating a system whereby councils can raise large amounts of revenue through building projects. It makes no difference who you vote for, the people who take control are bound to act in the same way.

I personally know of no Spaniard who supports the vast majority of these schemes. When they built that airport in Cuidad Real and tried to name it "South Madrid Airport" everyone I knew in Madrid was under no illusion that the whole thing was a scam. Maybe it's different in other parts of Spain, but in my experience the Spanish are more aware than anybody that their country has huge constitutional and institutional problems, everyone I know recognises this. The problem is that they have an electoral system that prevents them from speaking up, let alone doing anything about it.

Re: Trouble in Burgos
 

:goodpost:

Basically paradise or the perfect breeding ground for fraud and corruption for those within the system and family and friends of course.

Also the perfect breeding ground for further unrest and disturbances.

The more I get to see of Spain the more I become aware of the huge financial divide between the haves and have nots.

Furthermore I get to noticing that there appear to be many more haves with no apparent reason for their wealth and luxury second villas, than was obvious to me during my early years here.