If we had been hiding under a rock for the last month we would still probably know, without doubt, that it’s summer, which mean a notable lack of any far-reaching or impactful reports being published too often in Spain, or Europe as a whole for that matter, but we will see noticeable attention directed towards China to start the week, where data such as GDP, retail sales, industrial production, and the unemployment rate will be published.
The third EU-CELAC summit, which brings together Europe and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, starts on Monday. Traditionally seen as a platform for dialogue with China, but this time, the first formal meeting for some time, the likely topics leading the agenda will be Russia and Ukraine.
Aside from the international forum, we will also have a public briefing on Monday from Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, just before Eurostat publishes the figures for overnight stays in tourist establishments for April.
In the UK, despite the approach of the end of school for MPs, or “recess” as they call it, many are unlikely to be bringing their toys in to play in the last few days as there are three by-elections taking place this week, on Thursday to be precise, when we will find out, possibly, what the constituents of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Uxbridge are feeling right now, where the Labour Party is hoping for a symbolic victory despite Tory attempts to turn the vote into a referendum on the ULEZ scheme.
In the runup to the elections, on Tuesday, TV sleaze will be dominating the headlines, as BBC director general Tim Davie faces another grilling, this time by the Lords Communications Committee, in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal. In this case, although, according to the Met Police, no crime was committed, the BBC is conducting an internal enquiry which includes further claims that Edwards had sent ‘inappropriate messages’ to junior BBC staff who were reluctant to make formal complaints, prompting an investigation from fellow presenter Victoria Derbyshire. We are of course in no way suggesting that these headlines will serve as any kind of distraction from the political status leading to those elections.
Talking of elections, next Sunday, 23 July, Spain goes to the polls once again, for the national elections, which foreigners cannot participate in, sadly, but might well be a decisive turning point for the country (you can read all about this in The Leader, out on Monday)..
If you actually do want a bit of distraction from reality, then you might want to consider a trip to the pictures, as the much-anticipated Barbie film is released on Friday. In Spain, check with the cinemas for VO on the listing if you want to watch it with the original, English (American) dialogue, but if you’re a pensioner, you might want to prefer the discount day where you can enter for just 2 euro, although the two elements might not necessarily coincide.
The Week Ahead is brought to you by The Leader Newspaper, out every Monday.
