Europe – Spain

Wreckonomics: Troika Accelerates Demolition of Spain’s Economy

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The people must pay” if they want to maintain the current levels of public services, warned James Daniel, the man in charge of the IMF’s mission in Spain, who, as an employee of the IMF, pays no income taxes  to any country.

For Love Nor Money: The Bank That Nobody Wants To Buy

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By Don Quijones: The Spanish government is desperately trying to offload one of the bailed out, nationalized, and supposedly fully restored banks. The problem: no one wants it.

Spanish Judge Crosses Line by Sending Bank CEO to Jail

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By Don Quijones: The Spanish magistrate Elpidio Silva is just about the only judge in the Western hemisphere to have sent the CEO of a bailed-out too-big-to-fail bank to jail. Turns out, that was huge mistake.

Liars, Damned Liars, and Spanish Banks

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By Don Quijones: “Spain’s banks are back on track,” the Spanish Banking Association announced to great fanfare. That’s the official story. But these banks reported financial results that “bear no relation to reality.”

Another Day, Another Political Scandal In Spain’s ‘Mafia State’

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By Don Quijones: Political corruption has already become synonymous with political leadership in Spain. But now there’s a spectacle of political hubris and impunity so farcical and obscene that it leaves no doubt in one’s mind: Spain is run by a mafia state!

Peaceful Indignation Turns to Violent Rage in Rajoy’s Spain

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By Don Quijones: It was the first nationally coordinated grassroots response to repressive social and economic policies and widespread corruption of Spain’s ruling political caste. But it descended into violence – as the government is playing a dangerous game.

Which Country Is Europe’s Biggest Narco State?

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By Don Quijones: Revelations of a dirty, big business in Europe, and of the role banks play to make it possible. In fact, during the financial crisis, European banks “were as good as saved by the global drug trade.”

Jitters Mount Over Prospect of Catalonian Independence

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“You’re making a grave mistake,” the CEO of Catalonia’s megabank La Caixa allegedly told Catalonian President Artur Mas. Like many big shots, he’s fretting over the prospect of independence from Spain – an existential threat to the region’s banks.