Spain faces the truth

A steady stream of bad news over the last few weeks has generated a feeling of pessimism that is distorting the reality of Spain’s current crisis and the resources at its disposal to overcome it. History’s failures may have repeated themselves over the years time and again, but that doesn’t mean that they were in some way supernatural or that there was no way that they could be dealt with. As has been the case with most of this country’s previous crises, Spain’s current situation is the outcome of having taken one decision over another, as well as external factors beyond our control. As a consequence, the only way to overcome the crisis is by taking other decisions; the only way to make it worse is by taking different ones. Furthermore, thanks to a collective effort undertaken since the country returned to democracy more than 35 years ago, Spain is now part of a broader, international community, namely the European Union, and is subject to events outside its border that it cannot avoid.

The modern Spanish state set up on the basis of the 1978 Constitution has proved extraordinarily strong, despite the weak behavior of its representatives at times. For more than two decades now we have seen a growing tendency by parliamentarians toward putting the interests of their parties before those of the country, either through manipulation of the justice system or directly through government.

The regions have also been subjected to sectarian politics, either by those using their position in regional government simply as a springboard to greater power, or by those who would like a more centralized state. Not even the head of state has been able to avoid the general downward trend, as recent scandals involving the royal household show. The crisis requires us to strengthen our institutions by putting an end to the misuse that they have been subjected to, rather than taking advantage of that misuse.

The Spanish economy is suffering the consequences of a property bubble that successive governments have preferred to live with rather than attempt to bring under control. That said, the last decade has not been solely about property speculation. Some Spanish companies have managed to win a place in international markets. The expropriation of Spanish company Repsol’s interests in Argentina is a potent reminder of the need for this country to protect its interests abroad by the very highest standards of diplomacy. Sadly, for far too long now, this has not been the case with foreign policy subjected to party interests under the governments of José María Aznar and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy does not seem to have found the right approach either, adopting a strident, nationalistic tone rather than trying to build on this country’s reputation as the trustworthy and respected international partner it once was, and could again be.

Spain is not alone in having to deal with an economic crisis, but it is vulnerable. Winners and losers are clearly discernible already, as the wealth gap widens. But the abuses of those with more opportunities will only provoke the resentment of those who are losing out. Only the government can implement the measures that will prevent a destructive and uncontrollable downward spiral, which, unless corrected will simply lead this country into a dog-eat-dog situation.

Spain must face the truth, but could fail the test once again if it forgets that it has the resources to avoid doing so.