Humphrey Carter19/10/2016 00:00
TW
177

Spain has not had a government for over 300 days, but the country has survived.

Last Saturday, Spain celebrated 300 days with an acting government. This Sunday, PSOE could restore some political order by voting to allow the PP to form a minority government and bring an end to the act.

But what is interesting, and a fact that has caught the eyes of political commentators across the world, is that Spain has not fallen to pieces. In fact, the country has fared well.

The only anarchy has been in some of the political parties while few Spaniards seem bothered by that as the country’s economy roars ahead.

Palma, for example, is boasting packed cafes and restaurants, thriving fashion shops and art galleries and plenty of tourists - so many so that there are claims that there have been too many this summer.

The overall impression is of a bustling, vibrant country with the domestic tourist industry alive again and Spaniards back on the road like never since the recession hit in 2008.

A CIS survey this month showed Spaniards’ chief worry - by far - is the country’s 20 per cent unemployment rate. After that, those questioned expressed concern about corruption and disappointment with politicians and political parties - no change there.

The absence of a government came in fifth. Belgium set a European record with a massive 541 days needed to form a government following a 2010 election. So what’s the rush in Spain?