Dawn

Dawn

Sunday, October 19, 2008

It was interesting to read in El País today that the regional Spanish savings banks [Cajas/Caixas] are far more exposed to the struggling construction industry than their larger national bretheren. And that only a minority of them actually produce any public accounts. So no one really knows how they're doing and which of them are candidates for voluntary or enforced fusion. Whether across regional boundaries or not. As for Galicia, the relevant member of the Xunta has said we're best served by keeping Caixa Galicia and Caixanova separate. Though this may be more of a political than a commercial view. Ya veremos.

Here in Spain, there are certain 'micro' vehicles you can take on the roads without any licence. Not to mention driving lessons. I saw a showroom full of some of these this morning, going under the mark - I kid you not - of Sulkycar. There was even a pick-up truck and, though this photo bears the name Casalini, the one I saw had a Mitsubishi badge on the cab. Perhaps you do need a licence for these, even if the engine is only 538cc.

President Zapatero may be may not be making a state visit to Cuba, depending - it seems - on whether it can be established that things have improved there as regards individual rights. I tend to the view that, even if the place became a haven of liberties overnight, President Zap might just have more important things on his plate right now.

I see Lewis Hamilton didn't live up to the billing of Briatori and crack under self-imposed pressure and/or the concerted efforts of his opponents in today's Chinese Grand Prix. Given what Alsonso has said this week about doing what he can to ensure Hamilton doesn't win the championship, I wondered what the latter felt when the former [disingenuously?] congratulated him on his victory during the weigh-in. As for Alsonso himself, I share the view of this writer that he's brilliant but unsportsmanlike. An opinion I'm unlikely to change if Spanish readers write to say what an arrogant, cheating bastard Hamilton is. Even if they're right.

Galicia

Pontevedra's council failed this week to get any takers for some pieces of land re-zoned for development. As a profitable sale was assumed in the annual budget, this will only add to the woes of reduced tax revenues from property transactions. Our counsellors are surely - and suddenly - discovering how different it is to manage decline, as opposed to growth. Good luck to them.


Finally - An interesting statistic, from Propect's October issue. 23% of Germans believe the US government was behind 9/11. Compared with 5, 8 and 15 in Britain, France and Italy, respectively. And only 12% in Egypt. Sadly, there's no number for Spain. I'd guess it'd be higher than in Italy. Possibly even Germany.

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