Slideshow

MARBELLA GAZETTE

Friday 30 December 2011

Spain sets out 8.9bn euros of new austerity measures

 

Spain's new conservative government has outlined 8.9bn euros ($11.5bn, £7.5bn) in new spending cuts and tax rises to lower the country's borrowing. The announcement is the first in a wave of austerity measures, with a total of 16.5bn euros to be cut in 2012. It also said Spain's 2011 deficit will be about 8% of its output - higher than the 6% seen by the previous government. The Popular Party last month ousted the Socialists from power at elections amid deep economic gloom. The government of new Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to meet Spain's target of reducing the public deficit to 4.4% of gross domestic product in 2012, no matter what. On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria maintained a freeze on public sector wages for another year and ruled out practically all government hiring. "This is the beginning of the beginning," Ms Saenz de Santamaria said. "We are facing an extraordinary, unexpected situation, which will force us to take extraordinary and unexpected measures." Taxes on the wealthiest Spaniards will also be raised for at least two years, raising 6bn euros, she said. Spain's borrowing costs have jumped in the last year - reaching as high as 6.7% for 10-year debts - as investors feared that Spain might join Greece, the Irish Republic and Portugal in needing a bailout. The country's economy has shrunk sharply since a housing bubble burst in 2008, and it has an unemployment rate of 21%, the highest in Europe. The austerity measures have sparked a number of large protests across the country.

Saturday 17 December 2011

Rail union CGT has called strike action in Renfe Spanish Railways over the Christmas break.

 It will be 24 hours on Friday 30, and in addition personnel who sell tickets and work giving information to the public at the stations will also take Christmas Day and New Year’s Day from 5am to 00.45am.

CGT says that with these measures they want to show their rejection of the ‘segregation of the workers and the privatisations in the public railway service’.

Union General Secretary, José Manuel Muñoz, said that one key demand is for Renfe to sign an agreement with the Catalan Government which would guarantee that RENFE will continue to be the local Cercanías line operator in the region.

Huelva is best known for possessing some of the finest beaches of the Costa de la Luz

Starting in the west, Huelva is best known for possessing some of the finest beaches of the Costa de la Luz. It’s the Atlantic here, so forget the promenade-fringed strands of the Costa del Sol and think of swathes of golden sand, backed by dunes, with a warm breeze that is a magnet for windsurfers.

The small resorts here are separated by large tracts of coastal wilderness, including some of Spain’s most ecologically important areas. One of these is the huge Doñana National Park, a wetland area with significant birdlife, along with animals such as the endangered Iberian lynx.

Cádiz shares the Costa de la Luz but also has a calmer coast facing the Mediterranean; both are much quieter than more famous spots further east.

Even on the Costa del Sol, it’s still possible to find small seaside villages between family favourites such as Estepona and Fuengirola, and the celebrity-studded Marbella. Whichever you choose, you will never be far from a supreme beach.

A little further east, Nerja has lost little of its Spanish charm and is at the start of a stretch of virtually untouched coastline feeding through to Granada province; this is the Costa Tropical and is one of Spain’s best stretches for those who want their seaside to be authentic.

Almuñécar is a busy, friendly place close to fine beaches, though Salobreña has the better setting, overlooked by a domineering castle beneath which huddles the sugar-cube old village.

For a truly wild coast, head for the natural park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar in Almería province. Here, volcanic peaks fall into the sea or are interrupted by cliffs. Search and you’ll find amazing white-sand coves, while snorkellers will love the coral reefs off shore.

Marbella Golden Mile
Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More