MADRID: Spain’s acting minister of economy and competitiveness, Luis de Guindos, said on Monday that Spain’s economy would grow by close to 3.5 percent in the beginning of the year.
De Guindos made this statement on a local radio station where he said several indicators, such as industrial production or car sales, led to the conclusion that the Spanish economy would grow by close to 3.5 percent in early 2016.
He also emphasized the good performance of job creation in the last quarter in 2015, and recognized uncertainties surrounding the Spanish stock market index Ibex-35 that has been suffering losses over the last days.
According to De Guindos, the index has been affected not only by the uncertainties at a global level, but also by the political uncertainty in Spain since the general elections on Dec. 20 when the main political party, the People’s Party (PP), failed to win a majority to form government.
The acting minister said future economic policies was the key question, stating “the markets want stable and strong governments.” According to him, a coalition including the PP, the Socialist Workers’ Party, and the right-wing Citizens party would be the best option for Spain.
He warned about the lack of confidence that could emerge from this political situation and the economic policies of a new government.
