International reporting
Spain: in Alcolea de Calatrava, a summer weighed down by inflation
Audio 02:34
At a market in Madrid, Spain, on July 31, 2022. (Illustration image) Europa Press via Getty Images - Europa Press News
By: François Musseau Follow
3 mins
It reached its highest level for 37 years in Spain.
It is above 10%, ie at a level comparable to that of Algeria and Nicaragua.
A recent study shows that this year a quarter of Spaniards will not be able to take a vacation.
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From our correspondent,
We are in front of a supermarket in Alcolea de Calatrava.
A Dia company supermarket, the cheapest in the area.
José Luis, 73, receives a pension of 387 euros per month.
For him, every penny counts.
After shopping, he meticulously studies his receipt.
“
Since the last time, I see that many things have increased by 10 cents: milk, biscuits, chicken, mayonnaise too... Well, almost everything.
»
Everyone around him is saying more or less the same thing: the prices have become really expensive, like never before.
Basic food, petrol and diesel cost twice as much as before.
José Luis says he dips into his savings from a lifetime of sacrifices every month.
Here, in this big town, we are often one of those Spaniards who rarely take vacations.
The family economy being what it is, with galloping inflation, more and more of them are unable to go on leave – one in four Spaniards, according to the latest official statistics.
An underestimated inflation rate
Diego is an economist, he absolutely does not believe that inflation is only 10%.
“
Petrol alone is 50% more expensive.
Energy, the grocery basket, we have all seen that this has increased by 25% to 30%.
So I don't really see the connection with the official inflation figure of 10%, because for me, it's much more
, he believes.
If we do a macro-economic calculation, maybe we find a 10%, but in daily reality, I see a bigger increase.
»,
For Diego, there is an explanation for this price increase.
In his opinion, the authorities are filling the void of huge expenses caused by the Covid.
His wife Cristina, like many others, thinks that the political class is filling their pockets on people's backs.
Around, the terraces are full, the atmosphere is rather cheerful.
Maria, a secondary school teacher, is convinced that this joy is temporary: “
For the moment, people give priority to holidays.
Including people who don't have the means and live beyond their possibilities
, notes Maria.
I know someone who applied for vacation credit.
After two years of pandemic, people need to get out.
Especially in Spain where there is a great tradition of going out, social contact, it is a necessity
.
We'll see in the fall, that's the general philosophy of most.
»
As Maria says, once the holidays are over, it may be much more difficult.
Many are already saying that they will have to change their habits and tighten their belts even more.
► To read also: Spain: inflation at its highest level for thirty-seven years
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