Talking
of death . . . the Spanish Royal family is desperately trying to
retrieve public goodwill – or at least slow the growth of badwill –
by volunteering to publicise its expenses. Can't see it doing much
good. Rather the opposite, I suspect. Though it had to be done.
And
still on death . . . the Galician President, Sr Feijoo, is trying to
keep his career alive after the publication of evidence of his
association throughout the 1990s with one of our biggest drugs
dealers. Of course, this wouldn't necessarily disqualify him from
office here in Galicia but things may be viewed differently from
Madrid, where he's been seen as the natural successor to the current
Spanish President, Sr Rajoy. Sr Feijoo's explanations so far have
been less than convincing – Damn those fotos! - so he and his team
have taken a few days off to brainstorm a better story. It better be
good.
The
Princess Cristina will not now have to go before a judge later this
month to answer questions in respect of the fraud in which her
husband is implicated. The Public Prosecutor has told the judge to
lay off because he “considers the summons to
be based upon 'mere personal suspicions' and that the circumstances
cited as justification were 'innocuous, inconsistent and incorrect'.”
As if that wasn't bad enough for the poor judge, the Public
Prosecutor has said he refutes every one of his 14 reasons for
bringing charges against Princess Cristina.” The Spanish
government, in the person of the Foreign Minister, has said that
“Anything that affects an institution
that has been seminal in the transition to democracy in Spain and is
seminal for its prestige abroad is a source of enormous concern.”
He added that the PP would respect the decision “as it does all
judicial decisions.” So, it's all just a coincidence
that the investigating judge has been slapped down
Talking
of judges . . . They do seem to wear funny headwear, whichever
country they operate it. Spain's wear a sort of large fez, with
tassels all around the sides. Though possibly only on ceremonial
occasions. And possibly only the Constitutional Court.
Until
recently, foreign buyers represented around 12% of the Spanish
property market, with growth in this segment being much higher than
in others. But there are now fears that Spain's new law forcing
foreign residents to declare overseas assets will send the market
into a tailspin. As one expert has put it:-
“Its complex reporting requirements and disproportionate fines will
put many, if not most foreigners with assets abroad, off the idea of
living in Spain. Many expats already here will leave, if they can
sell their homes: I am already hearing anecdotal evidence of the
first signs of a stampede for the exit.” Interesting times. Will
the Spanish government have a re-think? I suspect not, as this would
involve loss of face.
Finally
. . . I don't have a smartphone; I have what I call a dumbphone.
Today I learned that the industry name for these is "feature
phones". Which sounds a lot less unimpressive.
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