De Guindos says the eurozone economy is doing better than expected and the interest rate level is adequate
The Vice-President of the European Central Bank has said that the Spanish economy "is doing well" in terms of growth, with levels close to 3%, much higher than what the EU is currently projecting for the euro area (1.3% this year). He has pointed out that behind this growth lies the "very important" increase in the population due to immigration, and has warned that the regulation is "limiting the supply of rental housing" that is so necessary to meet the current demand.
European Central Bank Vice-President Luis de Guindoshas pointed out that the eurozone economy is acting "better" than they expected months ago and has ensured that the current level of interest rates is "adequate" given inflation forecasts.
De Guindos made these considerations in the framework of the Gran Via Forum, which began today in Bilbao with the BB Foundation, attended for the first time by the representative of the ECB.
The Vice-President of the European Central Bank has analysed the economic situation and prospects in the euro area and recalled that in December the projections for this area will be updated, but has advanced that they will not be 'very different' from those published by the European Commission.
He has said that the evolution of inflation in the euro area is' positive 'because it has been' slowing down 'and is approaching 2%. He has added that what is most worrying is service inflation, but he has stressed that there is generally' good news' about inflation forecasts, which, in his words, has had an impact on the ECB's monetary policy and recalled that interest rates have fallen from 4% to 2%.
The economist has pointed out that the rates have not been changed at the last three meetings of the Council because they consider the current interest rate to be "adequate".
Housing, Spain's "fundamental problem"
The ECB's vice president has assured us that the Spanish economy "is doing well"in terms of growth, with levels close to 3%, well above what the EU currently expects for the eurozone (1.3% this year).
We need to look at the factors that influence this GDP growth and see if this model is "sustainable over time." De Guindos has pointed out that this growth is based on a "very important" population growth dueto immigration.
In this regard, he has warned that efforts must be made to "maximize" the benefits of immigration and "minimize potential costs", with housing being the most prominent in these costs. "When you have a strong growth in the formation of households, as a result of immigration and population growth, you have to cope with this increasein demand, with an increase in supply ", he has stressed.
He adds that the first to absorb the new situation is not the market for new housing that "reacts a little later", but the rental market. In this regard, he warns that "regulation is limiting the supply of rental housing ".
"And the consequence of that," he says, "is that when you have a large increase in demand and supply is not enough to meet demand, rental prices immediately rise, "and he points out that this is the" current problem "facing Spain, .
You might like
The maximum income for access to protected rental housing will be increased to €46,463
The Basque Government will approve tomorrow, with the Decree on Urgent Measures , the "social shield" in the area of housing . Among other things, the fee to be received by the owners will be 700 euros and higher in tense areas.
LAB will call for measures to ensure a "decent life" in housing, public services, pensions and wages
He has called 26 demonstrations for the First of May and has denounced that Pradales "has become a more antisocial and authoritarian copy of Urkullu."
Talgo has signed a $756 million contract to produce a new railway fleet in Sweden
With this contract, Talgo's order book has reached EUR 6.5 billion, the highest in its history.
The doctors at Donostia Hospital and Txagorritxu will not be overtime in the afternoon shift from today
On the other hand, the Zumarraga Hospital will join the protest from 27 April and the hospitals in Bizkaia from 27 May. They have decided to take this new step in view of the fact that the strike in force "has not caused any anger".
Oil has risen more than 5%, to $95, and European stock exchanges are expected to fall
The conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated again in the early hours of this Monday, affecting the price of oil. Tension has increased in the Strait of Hormuz when the US struck an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman that was trying to overcome the blockade imposed by Washington on Iranian ports.
Doctors at Zumarraga Hospital won't do overtime in the evenings from April 27
This is a new "pressure measure" promoted by the United Medical Organization for its Rights (MUD), which is in addition to the monthly strike by doctors with the aim of achieving a framework statute and, at the same time, making improvements that can already be implemented by the Autonomous Communities.
They call for investments in Bilbao and Vitoria to prevent the dismantling of public health
Public healthorganizations 68 have held demonstrations in Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz with the support of EH Bildu, Podemos and Sumar and various trade unions, in which they have also called forthe resignation of Health Counsellor Alberto Martínez .
ELA, LAB and ESK Trade unions will challenge the ERE of Tubos Reunidos
Another Friday, the workers of Tubos Reunidos have demonstrated in Amurrio and the members of the works council have expressed their disappointment at the decision of the Labour Inspectorate. Three unions, ELA, LAB and ESK, have already announced that they will challenge the ERE next week.
The GDP of the Basque Country recorded an annual growth of 2.2 per cent in the first quarter, an increase of 0.5 per cent over the previous quarter
The Basque economy has maintained its growth rate in 2026, driven by construction and services.
The Basque Government sees "some comfort" in the health negotiations and fears the consequences for assistance
The Health Adviser, Alberto Martínez, has warned of the difficulties that the situation creates for patients and citizens and has called for greater responsibility on the part of the parties involved. He has acknowledged that he has no information or participation in theongoing negotiations. He has warned that this situation is creating uncertainty and difficulties for patients and the care system.