​Mariano Rajoy highlights contribution of tourism sector to employment and advocated "looking after and supporting it"

Marivent Palace, Palma de Mallorca

The President of the Government explained, in his press briefing at Marivent Palace (Palma de Mallorca), that the primary discussion at his meeting with King Felipe VI focused on economic issues. Mariano Rajoy pointed out that more than 500,000 jobs a year are being created and stressed that, provided the economic policy is maintained, the record figure of 20 million Spaniards in work could be reached by the year 2019. As well as being "very positive" for those who find a job, this will increase revenue and allow more resources to be allocated to healthcare, education, pensions and public services in general, he argued.

Still on the subject of economic matters, he highlighted that the tourism figures were good in 2015, even better in 2016, "but that this year are exceptionally good". The tourism sector employs more than 2.5 million Spaniards - more than 13% of the total - and represents more than 11% of the Spanish Gross Domestic Product, he added. "We must look after this and support it", remarked Mariano Rajoy. The President of the Government called for "responsibility and common sense" in this sector and, in reference to the recent acts of vandalism against tourist activities, he claimed that it is "foolish" to mistreat those who come to visit Spain.

Returning normality to El Prat Airport

Pool Moncloa / Jorge VillarThe President of the Government also informed the King about the labour conflict in recent days at Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

In his press briefing, Mariano Rajoy called for the company and workers to act with "common sense", since "you cannot generate a situation such as the one taking place in the middle of the month of August". He also rejected using this issue "on purely political grounds".

The President of the Government recalled that AENA manages all the airports in Spain and there is only a "one-off" problem at one of them. Everyone must assume their own responsibilities and help contribute to "returning the airport to normality as soon as possible".

Defending the rule of law

At his meeting with the King, Mariano Rajoy outlined the government's position on the referendum in Catalonia. The President of the Government expressed his "great satisfaction" at the ruling of the Constitutional Court to paralyse the reform of the Regulation of the Regional Parliament of Catalonia, "which seeks to approve a law to authorise an illegal referendum in just 24 hours".

As regards the draft law on the referendum presented to the Regional Parliament of Catalonia and which must now be assessed by the Board of this regional parliament, Mariano Rajoy pointed out that in the event that its passage through the regional parliament is approved, "despite being in clear violation of the Constitution and of all logic", the government will lodge an appeal because this is "absolutely illegal" and a "new slight to the democratic system".

"A referendum will not be held on 1 October", declared Mariano Rajoy, "because Spain is a democracy under the rule of law" and because "everyone must follow the law, starting with those who govern".

Free elections in Venezuela

EFE/BallesterosThe President of the Government also set out the government's position on the situation in Venezuela. "Firstly, condemnation of the violence, secondly, to demand free and democratic elections, and thirdly, the release of all political prisoners - 620 political prisoners at this time - according to the Organization of American States.

The government, added Mariano Rajoy, does not recognise the Constituent Assembly "set up by the Government of Venezuela", nor does it recognise the decisions it adopts, "which are illegal, anti-democratic and contrary to the will of the people of Venezuela".

Meeting on future of Europe

Also in regard to the international agenda, Mariano Rajoy informed the King about the meeting to he held on 28 August in France with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, to address the fundamental challenges facing the European Union.

According to Mariano Rajoy, Spain will advocate furthering the European project to include "European defence" and a Minister for Finance and a European Budget. He will also advocate creating Eurobonds, "with sufficient credibility and market support for all of us to have access to cheaper financing".

The meeting will also used be to discuss illegal immigration "and those people that are unfortunately dying on many border crossing points of the EU, particularly in the Mediterranean", pointed out Mariano Rajoy. They will also speak about the need to continue cooperating in the fight against terrorism, which, according to the President of the Government, is the "main priority of Europeans" at this time.

Non official translation