Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

lief, Spain would not be requesting a debt bailout from
the EU. 10
- On 6 September 2011, Libertad Digital published an
analysis of the political and economic costs of reshaping
the EU along with considerations of a changing euro and a
plausible fiscal confederation. While Spanish officials acknowledged
that a restructuring or withdrawal would be
economically beneficial for Spain, the Lisbon Treaty
makes that extremely difficult. 11
- On 20 November 2011, the press reported that despite
economic hardship the Spanish government announced a
wage increase as well as pension boosts scheduled for
November 2012. The EU reported that Spain is able to
borrow money from international money markets although
at higher interest rates 12
Migration
- It was reported on 18 June 2011, that while the Spanish
government was hoping the EU would help close its labor
market to Romanian workers in order to lower Spanish
unemployment, the opening of a new Mercedes plant in
Hungary actually helped absorb the influx of Romanian
workers into Spain. 13 Spain’s request to close its boarders
came after several months of experiencing the highest
unemployment of any other EU member nation. In August
El País reported that although the EC was hesitant to authorize
the proposed labour restrictions at first, the extraordinary
economic circumstances, chiefly the Spanish
unemployment rate of 21%, have persuaded the Commission
to consent to the proposed limitations. 14
The Environment
- The media reported in October 2011, that Spain must
pledge to help restructure the fishing industry as it places
the most strain on the industry and severely taxes the EU
as a result. Restructuring should include fleet size reduction,
fishing bans and the creation of marine reserves said
a EU official. 15
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