Europe

Europe

Incoming PM warns of unpleasant measures for Spanish economy

16 December 2011 00:16 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Incoming Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Thursday the measures his government plans to undertake will not be "pleasant", APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Rajoy made his announcement after his meeting with King Juan Carlos II in the royal residence of La Zarzuela.

The prime minister elect was the last among all the party leaders to speak to the King, following his Popular Party’s victory in the Spanish general election on Nov. 20.

Although he still refused to elaborate on what his policies would be almost one month after his election victory, he implied they would include wide-ranging spending cuts.

"We will take decisions that are not pleasant," Rajoy told the press, comparing the situation with that of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, where the regional government announced drastic cuts in public spending, including pay cuts for public employees, just days after the general election.

The priority of the incoming government was to reduce the public deficit, he said.

Rajoy added that the situation in Spain was "very difficult" and also highlighted the need for the country to find the route to economic growth and job creation for Spain’s unemployed.

Rajoy will be sworn into power on Dec. 21 after a two-day investiture debate.