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Spain’s two main parties agree on a constitutional amendment without the explicit support from other parties

August 26, 2011 10:51 PM | CNA / Gaspar Pericay Coll

The governing Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and the main opposition party, the People’s Party (PP) agree to amend the Spanish Constitution to limit the deficit from public administrations. Other parties have offered to support the amendment but have not participated in the actual writing of the text. The constitutional amendment will not set a deficit figure, which will be set through a law to be approved before July 2012. The PSOE and the PP have agreed that the deficit should be limited at 0.4%: 0.26% corresponding to the State and 0.14% to the Autonomous Communities. Other parties are insisting on the need for a binding referendum.

Catalan parties are vigilant regarding the Spanish Constitutional amendment limiting public deficit and debt

August 25, 2011 10:28 PM | CNA / Gaspar Pericay Coll

Many in Catalonia fear that a constitutional limitation to public deficit and debt may dramatically reduce Catalonia’s already restricted fiscal autonomy, which would not only affect self-governance but also the possibility to pay for investments or public services not guaranteed by the Spanish State. The fear goes beyond Catalan party boundaries regarding the second amendment to the Spanish Constitution, which would be approved through an “urgent procedure”, almost without public and political debate. Catalan senators could force a call for a binding referendum.

Lleida’s theatre and congress centre La Llotja gets Chicago’s International Architecture Award

August 24, 2011 10:34 PM | CNA

Lleida’s unique building receives one of the world’s most prestigious architecture awards. The city’s Mayor, Àngel Ros, is said to be proud and highlighted that 75,000 people have already gone through the cultural and business facility since its opening in 2010. La Llotja, designed by the Dutch firm Mecanoo and the Catalan Labb Arquitectura, can be used as a theatre or a conference centre.