Exit poll: Spanish opposition conservatives score big win in election dominated by eco
By The Associated Press | November 20, 2011
MADRID - An exit poll says Spanish opposition conservatives have scored a landslide win in general elections dominated by a staggering unemployment rate and Europe's debt crisis.
The survey by Spain's state-run television said the Popular Party led by Mariano Rajoy has easily defeated the ruling Socialists and has won an absolute majority in parliament.
The government is saddled by a stagnant economy and a 21.5 per cent jobless rate.
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/...ted-by-eco
The Italian unions are telling people that the Government is declaring war on the working class. The left wing tax and spend, robin hood governments are collapsing.. Just gotta get rid of the one to the south of us
(Nov 20, 2011 04:43 PM)Canadaianbird Wrote: [ -> ]The Italian unions are telling people that the Government is declaring war on the working class. The left wing tax and spend, robin hood governments are collapsing.. Just gotta get rid of the one to the south of us
Voters are fickle and will swing for the opposing parties when times are tough, hoping for better outcomes.
From this viewpoint, Obama has it in the bag with those clown incumbants. I think the US voters have little choice. They can vote for the right or the far right. Even our Conservatives lean more left than the Dems do.
Bad news for Castro is good news for Cuba.
How many of the Cubans now in Spain voted socialist? I mean, outside of the spies that Castro sent there.
That result was a given. The socialists ran their economy into the ground. From Cuba's point of view, relations will change.
(Nov 20, 2011 07:14 PM)acanuck Wrote: [ -> ]That result was a given. The socialists ran their economy into the ground. From Cuba's point of view, relations will change.
You think so? Will Repsol be pressured to abandon it's plans to drill for oil off of Cuba's shores? Will Melia be pressured to sell it's interests in Cuba? Will Spain start an embargo against Cuba? No, no and NO....
The socialists ran the economy into the ground. You that equally reject then imply historical context need to look at that under a microscope (in Spain) before making such comments...
Gallofino, perhaps you are right about the business dealings- I wouldn't know anything about that, and it seems that you have a right to an opinion-
However, diplomacy is much more than business
Over the years, Spain has criticized Cuba more or less, and all that matters a lot to Cuba.
For instance- the dissidents that were exiled into Spain- a messy affair in which many of the dissidents felt betrayed, not only by the Spanish government but by the Catholic Church. A more conservative government mght make things more difficult for Cuba in terms of internal relations.
A microscope is well and good, but binoculars are also useful.
In the end, the oil that is there will flow- but who will benefit? I am hoping that there will be plenty of oil - enough to help finance the reconstruction of a democratic Cuba
People like that wretched Ricardo Alarcon have reason to be very concerned about the Spanish elections, and I am sure that he is in fact concerned.
(Nov 20, 2011 07:10 PM)Lurker Wrote: [ -> ]Bad news for Castro is good news for Cuba.
How many of the Cubans now in Spain voted socialist? I mean, outside of the spies that Castro sent there.
It would be good if they would publish the results of those Cubans still in Cuba who recently became Spanish citizens and were able to vote on Sunday's election,
(Nov 20, 2011 11:01 PM)Lurker Wrote: [ -> ]Gallofino, perhaps you are right about the business dealings- I wouldn't know anything about that, and it seems that you have a right to an opinion-
However, diplomacy is much more than business
Over the years, Spain has criticized Cuba more or less, and all that matters a lot to Cuba.
Spain for the last few years has been putting pressure on the EU to deal with the Castros without any concerns for the human rights situation in the island.
When Moratinos was Foreign Minister, he was completely at the service of the Castro regime.
That will change for sure under the new government.
(Nov 20, 2011 07:51 PM)gallofino Wrote: [ -> ] (Nov 20, 2011 07:14 PM)acanuck Wrote: [ -> ]That result was a given. The socialists ran their economy into the ground. From Cuba's point of view, relations will change.
You think so? Will Repsol be pressured to abandon it's plans to drill for oil off of Cuba's shores? Will Melia be pressured to sell it's interests in Cuba? Will Spain start an embargo against Cuba? No, no and NO....
The socialists ran the economy into the ground. You that equally reject then imply historical context need to look at that under a microscope (in Spain) before making such comments...
Gal Spain never supported the embargo so there is no danger to private enterprise. The suspicion is the government encouraged Repsol into trying the Cuban initiative. The rig is scheduled for drilling in other countries in the area. It is going there anyway.
I talked about that on the Cuba side.
If they hit commercially viable oil in the first hole they will stay, otherwise they are leaving.
Guys, Spain still considers itself the Papi Patria of Cuba. Their Cuba policy is not in the least dictated by the US regardless of a socialist or conservative government sitting. They tend to stick to their own interests and protect them vehemently.
Regarding the Cuban political prisoners exiled from Cuba to Spain. Why not all of them? There are still quite a few that were released and remain in Cuba. Could it be they took the bait and now regret it? And if so, why blame Spain and the Church? shouldn't they be grateful to be out of jail and have their families taken out with them? Isn't that the dream of all Cubans according to some of the Us exiles? They are living the dream. In a free country. Welfare for 1+ years.
TRC, when Martinos was FM is when some of the best intelligence was gathered on the Cuban regime. Some spies were even caught.
acanuck, judging by last night's Cubavision newscast, it looks like Cuba has taken a respectful tone. Raul probably sent Mariano Rajoy a case of Habano's.
The rig is scheduled to drill much more than one test well in Cuba waters and not only for Repsol. Sayiing things flipantly like "they have to be there anyways" ignores the huge DAILY cost of operating one of those beasts...
(Nov 21, 2011 10:40 AM)gallofino Wrote: [ -> ]Guys, Spain still considers itself the Papi Patria of Cuba. Their Cuba policy is not in the least dictated by the US regardless of a socialist or conservative government sitting. They tend to stick to their own interests and protect them vehemently.
Regarding the Cuban political prisoners exiled from Cuba to Spain. Why not all of them? There are still quite a few that were released and remain in Cuba. Could it be they took the bait and now regret it? And if so, why blame Spain and the Church? shouldn't they be grateful to be out of jail and have their families taken out with them? Isn't that the dream of all Cubans according to some of the Us exiles? They are living the dream. In a free country. Welfare for 1+ years.
TRC, when Martinos was FM is when some of the best intelligence was gathered on the Cuban regime. Some spies were even caught.
acanuck, judging by last night's Cubavision newscast, it looks like Cuba has taken a respectful tone. Raul probably sent Mariano Rajoy a case of Habano's.
The rig is scheduled to drill much more than one test well in Cuba waters and not only for Repsol. Sayiing things flipantly like "they have to be there anyways" ignores the huge DAILY cost of operating one of those beasts...
This article said 2 exploratory wells but I read one elsewhere.
Quote:Repsol will use the Scarabeo 9 to drill two exploratory wells for Repsol, Petronas is expected to use the rig to drill two wells. Venezuelan state energy company PDVSA and Angola state energy company Sonangol might pick up the rig for drilling offshore Cuba as well.
Repsol has no more responsibility for that rig after that. Riglogix will pick up more business wherever they find it. I don't hava a problem with what I said.
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=107339
Remember the old saying "Don't count the chickens etc..."
Gallofino, respectfully submitted
Guillermo Fariñas: The next Spanish government should 'denounce' Cuba
Cuban opposition activist Guillermo Fariñas accused the government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of having been an "accomplice" in the violation of human rights of the Cuban people, and he urged the new Spanish leader to come out of the shadows and "denounce" the authorities on the island. "The Cuban government is preparing itself because it will have, as all signs seem to indicate, a government in Spain who will not be its accomplice," said the 49-year-old psychologist in a telephone statement given to the news agency dpa from the city of Santa Clara in central Cuba.
"THEY KNOW THAT A SERIES OF DEMANDS FROM THE NEW SPANISH GOVERNMENT ARE COMING AND THE POSITION THAT RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO WANTED FOR SPAIN WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN (my emphasis), the one where Cuba was viewed as an extraordinary case and its violations of human rights had to be accepted because it was just a question of an idiosyncrasy," added Fariñas, who received in 2010 the Sakharov prize for freedom of thought from the European Parliament.
(Nov 21, 2011 01:11 PM)Lurker Wrote: [ -> ]Gallofino, respectfully submitted
Guillermo Fariñas: The next Spanish government should 'denounce' Cuba
Cuban opposition activist Guillermo Fariñas accused the government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of having been an "accomplice" in the violation of human rights of the Cuban people, and he urged the new Spanish leader to come out of the shadows and "denounce" the authorities on the island. "The Cuban government is preparing itself because it will have, as all signs seem to indicate, a government in Spain who will not be its accomplice," said the 49-year-old psychologist in a telephone statement given to the news agency dpa from the city of Santa Clara in central Cuba.
"THEY KNOW THAT A SERIES OF DEMANDS FROM THE NEW SPANISH GOVERNMENT ARE COMING AND THE POSITION THAT RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO WANTED FOR SPAIN WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN (my emphasis), the one where Cuba was viewed as an extraordinary case and its violations of human rights had to be accepted because it was just a question of an idiosyncrasy," added Fariñas, who received in 2010 the Sakharov prize for freedom of thought from the European Parliament.
Although I respect Mr. Farinas and his voice, I think - and could be wrong - that his hopes are too high in this case. The Government of Spain as a body has defenders and detractors of Cuba. Like I said before though, they still have "Papi Patria" that largely trumps any significant or damaging policies towards Cuba or any other former colony. And of course, they are no one to criticize human rights abuse either at home nor in its former colonies. By and large, those wounds have healed in Spain and no one seems to have the fortitude or indeed, moral authority to call out others for their internal rights abuse issues. If they do, mark my words, its only lip service. No sanctions, no envoys will be sent or invited. It will be business as usual.
Plus Spain is trying to get a handle on 21.5% (official) unemployment. Cuba is way, WAY down the the ladder of priorities right now.
(Nov 21, 2011 01:36 PM)gallofino Wrote: [ -> ]Plus Spain is trying to get a handle on 21.5% (official) unemployment. Cuba is way, WAY down the the ladder of priorities right now.
Absolutely right Gallo. Spain has so many domestic problems (And EU issues) that the tiny pimple that Cuba represents is way down the list. Spaniards want jobs and financial security first.
What economists and policymakers sometimes call the Spanish crisis is no such thing: it is in fact three big problems rolled into one huge and enduring mess. There is the financial collapse within the eurozone, in which over the past year the governments of first Greece then Ireland have been blocked from borrowing from financial markets at any but exorbitant interest rates. There is the meltdown of the Spanish property market, which has in turn triggered a crisis for both the cajas (regional savings banks) and the government treasury. And finally there is the long-run problem of Spain's labour market, where one in five workers are officially out of a job.
These are three discrete areas, and they require different solutions to be implemented over varying periods. The problem is that the Spanish government has not had the opportunity to deal with those latter two domestic problems on its own timetable because of the first Europe-wide crisis.