Mariano Rajoy says positive unemployment data from March offer "justified hope" for those yet to find job

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

Mariano Rajoy explained that the 160,000 new National Insurance contributors in March represent "the best result since current records began". He went on to add it is "sensational" that 60,000 people left the unemployed lists in the same month. In his opinion, these data offer "justified hope of finding a job to all those who have yet to do so". He stressed that the data are good even when analysed in seasonally-adjusted terms.

As regards the quality of the jobs being created, Mariano Rajoy underlined the fact that "approximately 75% of all people with a job in Spain have a permanent employment contract". He recalled that some jobs, such as those in the hotel and catering industry or farming, are seasonal jobs where permanent employment contracts are hard to find.

Unemployment rose by 9.2% in 2011, while it is falling by 7.2% in 2015

Mariano Rajoy said that the positive National Insurance and employment data from March can be added to the results from the two previous months (January and February), which were also highly positive, even though these months are traditionally the worst for finding a job. However, "for the first time in many years, the first three months of 2015 are proving positive".

The President of the Government stressed that, when his government came to power, unemployment was growing at a rate of 9.2%, whereas it is now falling at a rate of 7.2% because "there has been a change in trend". Even though "we are on the right path", Mariano Rajoy said that "we need to persevere" to achieve the target he himself set - for over 500,000 jobs to be created in 2015. Hence, between 2014 and 2015, one million people would be able to leave the unemployment lists. "If we keep this up, in the next four-year legislature, we can reach the figure of 20 million people in work". He explained that this employment growth is bringing increased revenue for the Social Security system and the State, meaning that "services will improve".

Economic growth above 2.4% in 2015

The President of the Government said that the economic forecasts to be sent to Brussels at the end of April will include a growth figure of over 2.4%. The forecast from the Bank of Spain is 2.8% and, should this achieved, "it would be wonderful growth, the best anywhere in the European Union", he said.

Pool MoncloaFurthermore, Mariano Rajoy said that he was forced to take "tough decisions" because of a shortfall of 90 billion euros between what was being spent and what was being collected in revenue, among other reasons. Spain was having problems obtaining financing and stood on the brink of bankruptcy. Taxes were increased as a result, although some have started to come down in 2015 and will continue to do so in 2016. As regards the so-called cultural VAT, he said that "no decision has yet been taken" because it will depend on the revenue figures.

General elections, at the end of the year

Even though a decision has not been reached on a precise date for the general elections, the President of the Government said they will "more than likely" be held at the end of the year because "legislatures must reach their full term". In this regard, he added that he wants "to try and stand as a candidate and be President of the Government again" because "what matters most to me right now is to be able to maintain the economic policy we have put in place and that is working in our country, into the future".

As regards the new political forces that have emerged on the Spanish political stage, Mariano Rajoy said that the economic crisis has led EU citizens to seek answers beyond the scope of the traditional parties. France has the party led by Le Pen. The United Kingdom has the anti-European UKIP. Italy has a party led by comedian Beppe Grillo and Greece has Tsiriza. Nonetheless, he said, "PP and PSOE came first and second" in the most recent elections.

In this regard, the President of the Government said that "governing is very difficult; on the other hand, talking and commenting is quite a bit easier". He went on to add that anything new "enjoys the benefit of the doubt", although "it would not be the best idea to commit to parties whose ideology is entirely unknown".

Andalusia, the Basque Country and Catalonia

The President of the Government described the early elections in Andalusia as a mistake. Susana Díaz had enough of a majority to govern and "now we are worse off than before". At any event, he added, only Susana Díaz can decide who to govern with, so she needs to gather all three parties and tell them what she wants to do and what she will propose.

On the matter of ETA, Mariano Rajoy was firm. "The only priority and the only substantial change that the people of Spain expect is for ETA to announce its dissolution as a terrorist gang", he said. They have not killed for some time but they continue to be a terrorist group, explained the President of the Government.

Pool MoncloaHe also stressed that the State of autonomous regions has worked well over recent years and, thanks to that system, the Basque Country has obtained the highest level of self-governance it has ever seen. "There is no other region in the world with as many powers as it has"; the Basque Country has powers over healthcare, education, social services, security and the treasury.

As regards the Catalan elections announced for September, the President of the Government recalled that they are for electing a new Regional Parliament of Catalonia and President of the Regional Government of Catalonia. He also said that no unilateral declaration of sovereignty can be made and any such declaration would be taken to the Constitutional Court. "Sovereignty lies in the hands of all the people of Spain, there are rules and laws in place. That would never be recognised by Europe". Hence, in this regard, "we should all start to work together along a path of common sense" because that process makes no sense "unless the goal is to divide the people or create barriers to our economic recovery".

As for corruption, Mariano Rajoy said what matters most is for action to be taken, just as the State law enforcement agencies, the Public Prosecutor's Office and the courts are doing, thereby avoiding a repetition of such cases in the future. He also recalled the legislative package that has been approved by Parliament to combat such excesses and said that "all these events we have witnessed over the course of recent years will provide a vaccine for the future".

Cuba, Venezuela and Greece

After confirming that he is not preparing a trip to Cuba, the President of the Government expressed his support for the island to achieve democracy soon because it is "a country with enormous potential". Of course, "Spain would be there to provide assistance".

Furthermore, Mariano Rajoy said he wants "to have good relations with Venezuela" because "Venezuela is a friend". However, he recalled the fact that people are in jail there for no reason, such as the opposition member Leopoldo López and the Mayor of Caracas, Antonio Ledezma. In this regard, he expressed his wish for Venezuela to be a democratic country with a regime of freedom and human rights.

As regards Greece, the President of the Government insisted that the Government of Greece must comply with the rules laid down by the EU because "those who follow the rules eventually perform well". He said it would be good for Greece to overcome the current situation, both for the people of Greece and for the EU as a whole.

Healthcare for immigrants

Pool MoncloaMariano Rajoy explained that the changes made to public healthcare in 2012 were used to expand coverage for liberal professionals and the long-term unemployed, as well as to put an end to so-called healthcare tourism. Since those changes, illegal immigrants have only received healthcare from the emergency services (except children). However, a number of autonomous regions failed to apply the new rules. For that reason, added the President of the Government, attempts will now be made for illegal immigrants "to receive these services from primary healthcare centres, but under the same rules throughout Spain".

Remembering the two potholers who died in Morocco

Mariano Rajoy offered condolences to the families of the two Spanish potholers who died in Morocco this Easter. In this regard, he explained that the Moroccan authorities - "which made an enormous effort" - were in permanent contact with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate their rescue attempts. With that in mind, he prefers to focus "on the good will and desire to collaborate shown by the Government of Morocco".