Zapatero says austerity averted EU bail-out

Author (Person)
Series Title
Series Details 21.5.11
Publication Date 21/05/2011
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Spain would 'very probably' have needed a bail-out by the European Union in 2010 without the government’s imposition of a harsh austerity plan, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Socialist prime minister, said on the 20 May 2011.

Mr Zapatero was defending his record ahead of regional and municipal elections on the 22 May 2011 that were likely to see the Socialists lose substantial ground to their rightwing opponents in the Popular party (PP).

He and his government now face criticism not only from the PP but from thousands of young Spaniards, many previously sympathetic to the left, who had staged demonstrations in cities across the country to protest against high unemployment and the domination of politics by the two main parties.

Related Links
ESO: Background information: Young Spaniards stage nationwide protest http://www.europeansources.info/record/young-spaniards-stage-nationwide-protest/

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