​Mariano Rajoy describes Wednesday's employment data as "good news"

2016.5.4

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Cadena SER, Madrid

President of the Government Rajoy described the unemployment data and Social Security data corresponding to the month of April as "good news". In his opinion, "we are heading in the right direction", meaning that, "if things are done right", it will be possible to reach the target of 20 million people in work in 2019. "We need to do it both for them and to maintain our fundamental public services".

Strong job creation in the tourism sector

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoMariano Rajoy said that "we are heading in the right direction, although we still have a long way to go". He also explained that, although jobs are being created "for many people and with different qualifications", the most significant increase is taking place in the tourism sector, as this sector represents 12% of domestic GDP.

The President of the Government believes that "one of the major challenges we need to face in the near future" will be "to adapt training to the demands of the labour market". The goal will be to try and avoid what is happening in Europe now, where "thousands of jobs" have been left vacant because "there was nobody with the right qualifications to fill them".

Economic growth forecast for 2016

When asked about the investments in education, the President of the Government explained that this is one of the headings that have not been reduced (alongside social protection and healthcare). In this regard, he recalled that "education grants are at an all-time high" in Spain. Nonetheless, he added that, "given the resources we have available to us", we need to "prioritise".

The President of the Government said that, from an economic point of view, the last six years - between 2008 and 2013 - were very tough until the recovery began in 2014. He went on to add that "good economic growth" is expected for 2016. The government forecast stands at 2.7% but, "if we can maintain the pace seen in the first quarter, that figure may well be an underestimate", and that the actual figure could climb to 3%.

Deficit reduction

In terms of the deficit target, the President of the Government stressed that "the path we are on is good" because it has fallen by 4.3 points since 2011. The target for 2016 is 3.8.

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoHe explained that "the key lies in reducing the deficit and, at the same time, achieving economic growth and job creation", adding that this goal is being achieved to a "reasonable" degree because "Spain is now growing and at a much faster rate than the major EU countries". Furthermore, 575,000 jobs were created in 2015.

As regards taxes, Mariano Rajoy said that "I have no intention whatsoever" to increase them. He recalled that they were lowered twice in 2015, which meant "putting 7 billion euros back into taxpayers' pockets".

The political situation and the fight against tax fraud

As regards the political situation in Spain, the President of the Government said that his proposal following the elections held on 20 December was "the great coalition", similar to the system that is working in Germany and Austria. In his opinion, it was "the most reasonable" way to form "moderated governments" capable of facing "a number of major issues that need to be faced in Spain" together.

The President of the Government also said he holds the Spanish Tax Agency in "the highest regard". Its efforts to combat tax fraud have led to the collection of 50 billion euros in recent years; 15 billion in 2015 alone. "It is a battle to which this government has dedicated itself", he said.

Mariano Rajoy also expressed his concern over the corruption scandals. In this regard, he added that measures have been taken and "there are laws" in place today "that make it more difficult for similar cases to arise in the future".

Catalonia and reform of the Spanish Constitution

When asked about Catalonia, President of the Government Rajoy said that "inter-governmental relations have continued normally". Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that "highly significant problems" have been resolved, such as the debt maturities and the payment to suppliers.

He also recalled that "discrepancies have arisen on some specific issues", for which the Constitutional Court was asked to intervene. "Whenever someone ignores a law, it's clear that the best path involves turning to the Constitutional Court rather than having an anti-constitutional law in effect".

When asked about a possible reform of the Spanish Constitution, Mariano Rajoy said he is willing to study the possibility but that "it would be nice to know what people wish to reform" and what people wish to ask to the people of Catalonia and Spain.

The refugee crisis

As regards the refugee crisis in Europe, President of the Government Rajoy explained that Spain has always shown itself willing to accept these people. The fact that only 18 refugees have reached the country so far cannot be attributed to Spain. At any event, "steps are being taken in the right direction" because "resettlement and refugee redistribution weren't even being discussed before, whereas we are talking about these issues now", he said.

Furthermore, Mariano Rajoy added that, although Spain could benefit from a decision by the European Commission to penalise those countries that refuse to accept refugees, he would prefer the issue to "be discussed" and "everyone to be allowed to state their reasons".

To end, the President of the Government stressed that Spain is a "host country" that, in recent years, has implemented a "magnificent" integration process: at present, 10% of workers in Spain are foreign.

Visit to 40th anniversary exhibition of 'El País'

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoAfter being interviewed on Cadena SER, the acting President of the Government travelled to Cibeles Palace in Madrid where he visited the exhibition to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the daily newspaper 'El País'.

Mariano Rajoy viewed some historic front pages of the newspaper and looked closely at the photographs reflecting the time of all of the Presidents of the Government who have passed through Moncloa Palace under the democracy. He also enquired after the commitment made by 'El País' to virtual reality as the new language of information.

He was accompanied on his visit by the Chairman of the PRISA Group, Juan Luis Cebrián, and by the editor of the newspaper, Antonio Caño, whom he congratulated on 40 years of publication.