Rajoy closes PP congress calling for sacrifice in face of worsening crisis

There are two ways to explain Mariano Rajoy’s closing address at the Popular Party (PP) congress on Sunday. Either he is painting a worst-case scenario in order to sell any small improvement as a victory, or he is paving the way for even more severe new cuts that he is yet to announce. Aides to the prime minister say that one does not rule out the other.

On the same day that Rajoy faced his first street protests over labor reform, his speech was almost Churchillian in tone, with a call for national sacrifice in the face of dire economic figures.

The central idea is that things will get even worse before they get better, and that tough measures are the only way out. The conservative leader warned not to expect short-term results, saying that this is a long-term battle against the crisis.

“The labor reforms are fair and good for Spain,” he said, appearing to address the millions of unemployed Spaniards rather than his fellow party members. “It is necessary. None of the measures will work miracles. It’s not enough to put wheels on a car to make it run, but without them it is impossible for the car to move.

“When we take measures, we are thinking of those who are having the hardest time,” he continued. “And if I have no choice but to raise taxes, I do so because lots of people need an opportunity. And when we cut public spending we do it so there will be money for pensions, health and education. And when we carry out labor reforms, we do so with unemployed people in mind.”