Comments on: Will Spain remain a small country? http://blogeuropa.eu/2009/05/08/will-spain-remain-a-small-country/ Ideas, debates, analysis et al. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:18:29 +0000 hourly 1 By: Borja http://blogeuropa.eu/2009/05/08/will-spain-remain-a-small-country/comment-page-1/#comment-254061 Borja Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:15:51 +0000 http://blogeuropa.eu/?p=500#comment-254061 Mr. Grant is right about the lack of strategic direction over the last years, largely determined by parochial politicians all-too focused on domestic policy. It is unquestionable our country is punching below its level, in the Balkans, in Afghanistan, etc -and that is something perceived abroad. This being said, the article is poorly grounded and very, very shallow. The examples about the president´s lack of fluency in foreign languages (how many world leaders are?) or the siege of the Foreign Affairs Ministry are simply absurd. And it is inaccurate that the Spanish or the PSOE people are irreversibly Anti-american; that is not what the polls say and in any event, not worse than other EU countries. If only some people within the government/party had more leverage over Moncloa or Ferraz... In any case, some of the criticisms levelled against this government may be levelled against every EU big country, for the overall lack of leadership in Europe is a tragedy. Anyway, as i said, disappointingly simplistic for the Director of a good, reputed think-tank -anybody could have written this piece, copying and pasting some newspapers´articles... And by failing to provide any policy options, the author´s ultimate purpose reveals nothing but a vain attempt at bashing Zapatero and his people. Mr. Grant is right about the lack of strategic direction over the last years, largely determined by parochial politicians all-too focused on domestic policy. It is unquestionable our country is punching below its level, in the Balkans, in Afghanistan, etc -and that is something perceived abroad.

This being said, the article is poorly grounded and very, very shallow. The examples about the president´s lack of fluency in foreign languages (how many world leaders are?) or the siege of the Foreign Affairs Ministry are simply absurd. And it is inaccurate that the Spanish or the PSOE people are irreversibly Anti-american; that is not what the polls say and in any event, not worse than other EU countries. If only some people within the government/party had more leverage over Moncloa or Ferraz…

In any case, some of the criticisms levelled against this government may be levelled against every EU big country, for the overall lack of leadership in Europe is a tragedy.

Anyway, as i said, disappointingly simplistic for the Director of a good, reputed think-tank -anybody could have written this piece, copying and pasting some newspapers´articles…

And by failing to provide any policy options, the author´s ultimate purpose reveals nothing but a vain attempt at bashing Zapatero and his people.

]]> By: Spanish diplomat http://blogeuropa.eu/2009/05/08/will-spain-remain-a-small-country/comment-page-1/#comment-236501 Spanish diplomat Tue, 12 May 2009 00:47:08 +0000 http://blogeuropa.eu/?p=500#comment-236501 the article makes painfully evident the lack of ambition from our leaders in playing any significant role in European and world affairs. This is something a large section of the Spanish public seems to endorse. What a pity! We do have some strengths that conveniently played could boost Spain's international relevance. In any case I just wonder what is to be done to overcome this sorry state of affairs. the article makes painfully evident the lack of ambition from our leaders in playing any significant role in European and world affairs.
This is something a large section of the Spanish public seems to endorse.
What a pity! We do have some strengths that conveniently played could boost Spain’s international relevance. In any case I just wonder what is to be done to overcome this sorry state of affairs.

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