The Spanish government has decided
not to ask for the European Central Bank (ECB) aid "nowadays",
Minister of Economy and Competitiveness Luis de Guindos said on
Wednesday.
De Guindos told the Spanish radio ABC Punto Radio in an interview
that "nowadays the government had decided not to ask the financial
assistance that would imply the ECB's intervention."
In this sense, he did not rule out the possibility in the future
although he assured Spain does not need a bailout.
In his opinion, "Spain needs doubts over the euro's future to
disappear", only in this case, the Spanish risk premium would fall
and "these would be good news", said the minister.
De Guindos assured that the government will take the most
suitable decision according to Spain's interests, because "the
government interest is the Spanish economy interest."
He also insisted that in case of asking for assistance, "this
would be not the same way as Portugal or Ireland."
De Guindos pointed out the ECB would intervene Spain's debt
market in order to reduce funding costs, something the ECB already
did in 2011 because the body had bought Spanish debt between August
and December 2011.
Asked about the deficit target, De Guindos avoided to assure
Spain would meet this deficit but insisted "the most important is
that Europe says Spain has taken the necessary measures in order to
correct the fiscal situation."
He added that in 2013 "Spain will carry out one of the most
intense deficit reductions and budgetary adjustments among countries
of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD)."
The minister praised his government's policies, arguing they aim
at "improving economic growth and create employment" and emphasizing
that despite bad data (Spain has almost five million people
unemployed), they are "laying the ground for the future economic
recovery."
Meanwhile, the Spanish stock market in Madrid remained closed
because of Christmas holidays since last Monday when the risk
premium remained below the 400 points falling from 389 points in
early trading to the 393 points by closing time.
Also in Madrid, workers from the health and transport sector
continued strikes.
Wednesday is the 16th day of strike in the public health sector
in Madrid against the new measures adopted by the regional
government, which according to strikers, would lead to the
privatization of six hospitals and 27 clinic centers.
On the other hand, workers of Madrid's underground are called to
protest against the cuts in the 14th partial strike that will last
until New Year's Eve.
