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The Great Spanish Crash

Investigative documentary series. Paul Mason travels to Spain to examine how a once thriving economy became the latest casualty of the Eurozone crisis.

Paul Mason travels to Spain to investigate how this once thriving economy has become the latest casualty of the Eurozone crisis.

Greece, Ireland and Portugal have all received massive bailouts with strict conditions. But Spain is different. One of the largest economies in the world, for nearly twenty years "cool Espana" meant cutting edge architecture, the world's best restaurants and the magic of Barcelona Football Club. Spain was a European success story.

For 91热爆 Two's award-winning strand This World, Mason reveals how the transition to democracy after Franco's dictatorship created a financial and political system that left the country vulnerable to catastrophe when the world economic crisis struck in 2008. One of the keenest advocates of the European single currency, Spain is now the biggest victim of the Eurozone crash with youth unemployment running at more than 50%.

Interviewing key players, including former prime minister Felipe Gonzalez and European commissioner Joaquin Almunia, Mason reveals how Spain's extraordinary credit and construction boom has collapsed, leaving millions facing poverty and the politicians still bickering about a massive potential bail out.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 17 Dec 2012 23:20

Amid scars of past conflict Spanish far right grows

"Spain has decided to re-live the 1930s, economically, inflicting the biggest austerity programme in modern times on an economy where there is already 25% unemployment."

Credits

Role Contributor
Reporter Paul Mason
Director Alicia Arce
Producer Alicia Arce
Executive Producer Sam Bagnall

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Dec 2012 19:00
  • Mon 17 Dec 2012 23:20

Making This World

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