A few days ago, the news broke of a couple from Gran Canaria who were about to be evicted. In these times, nothing to be surprised about. Although we cannot draw general consequences from one case, it is a clear ...
A few days ago, the news broke of a couple from Gran Canaria who were about to be evicted. In these times, nothing to be surprised about. Although we cannot draw general consequences from one case, it is a clear symptom of certain things that, without arousing suspicion, have been happening around us and deserve to be denounced.
Both are computer scientists. Both are unemployed. Their debt to the bank amounts to 150,000 euros and no matter how much they have tried to negotiate with it the payment in kind, the entity remains inflexible. "Today for me, tomorrow for you", with this motto they appeal to the solidarity of the people to, through a raffle, try to raise the money that does not reach them by other means.
When the real estate bubble was rising and the banks were rubbing their hands, many young people went to the labor market to obtain quick money. Others decided to continue their training. The decision adopted in each case, deep down, seemed safe because, if not, the politicians, who we pay for with our taxes, would already sound the alarms in advance. They said nothing. The banks knew that as long as the Mortgage Law did not change, they would also have a harvest in times of crisis. In addition, as the Government did not diversify the economy, making it heavily dependent on bricks and mortar and despising industry, they continued with their Mona Lisa smile.
While the Government and the EU have strived for a rescue plan for banking entities, these have no merciful gesture towards the most desperate citizens. Even, and they know it, they still contribute to maintaining an artificial price of housing around 35% higher than it should be.
The reading is clear. The political class has already made a shameful mistake once in the defense of society. An unequivocal message must be launched that, either the payment in kind and a diversified economy that does not despise training are put on the table, or our vote will not go to them. It is not a time for easy criticism, but rather for objective and constructive denunciation. A new change in the Mortgage Law would restore confidence in the institutions and would respond to many dramatic cases that, like Carlos and Nazareth, acted without realizing that others were leading them to the abyss.
