“Spain is doing well” was the slogan with which President Aznar sought to qualify his eight-year mandate (1996-2004), at the turn of the century. The data supports his claim. Pedro Sánchez now revives Aznar's proposition and insists in all his interventions that Spanish society is better today than when he came to power in mid-2018. There is data that supports his thesis, and others that contradict it. The Spanish economy is growing more than the average of its direct competitors, ranking among the fastest-growing in the EU, especially after the pandemic setback, which hit us harder than other Europeans. Spain is growing steadily, above forecasts, based on a significant increase in the resident population (migrants), an unrelenting rise in public debt, and excellent performance in tourism and exports. In the shadow area, among other references, stagnation of productivity and per capita income; growth of inequalities in parallel with the increase in tax pressure, despite the social policy that the government boasts about, damaging the social lift for new generations, especially those born since the late 80s (millennials) burdened by housing prices (ownership and rent) and chronic job insecurity.
This month we have learned of three serious studies that show that Spaniards are not doing as well as Spain and that have not received any consideration from official spokespersons, who are intent on a narrative about how well they are doing. The first from Caritas (Foessa Report), a veteran, serious, in-depth study titled “on exclusion and social development” which highlights the growth of exclusion, the emergence of a dual society (those included and excluded), the narrowing of the middle class, and the generational gap that runs parallel to the weakening of community ties. The second, prepared by Fedea on the evolution of family wealth between 2002-2020, evidences the growth of inequalities. An eloquent piece of data: the top 1%, those who accumulate the most, hold 21% of the wealth, compared to 13% twenty years ago, indicating that the rich are getting richer, but only a few. The report also detects the generational gap. The third, sponsored by Fedea and the College of Economists, analyses the performance of the Minimum Vital Income, the government's flagship measure to combat poverty. The study praises the law but points out that the requirements to access this resource, which reaches half of the target population, should be made more flexible.
The studies are conclusive, demand debate and urgent decisions, but they are far removed from the concerns of parliamentarians and our leaders, who are solely dedicated to maintaining/achieving power, without attending to the concerns and problems of society, detached from the “common good” concept emphasised in the Caritas/Foessa report. This is not the best moment in Spain's recent history; there are reasons that explain it, but also neglects that emphasise it.♦
