[War] Spain: "Money, Money, Money."

[Iain]

"Money, Money, Money."
Prime Minister Elena Rodriguez
Spain
25th August 2014

The meeting with the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of
Industry, Trade and Tourism was going to overrun, there was little doubt
about that. Luckily Elena had a rather slow morning as far as that of the
Spanish Prime Minister went so she had a spare 30 minutes, 60 if she had
lunch on the run. Diego wouldn't be happy but hey, that was life these days.

"Prime Minister, thank you for seeing as at such short notice." Minister
Aido, like the Prime Minister was a young and reasonably fresh politician
whom Elena had elevated to the Second Deputy/Finance position from Minister
of Equality. It had not been a popular decision amongst the old circles, and
to be fair it had been done mostly to shake up the 'old faces' who were
perhaps getting a bit too comfortable in their seats. Some fresh
perspectives had proven, thus far, to be beneficial to the country and her
government.

"Not a problem, Bibiana. Though I think I might be a bit less amenable when
you bring up the points I imagine you are both here to..."

"Well we'll start with the good news, then." Miguel Sebastian was one of the
few remaining 'cronies' from as far back as the Zapatero administration, and
he was good at his job, as well as advice over a range of subjects. He was
one of the more well known faces around the office at the Palacio de la
Moncloa, and quite often also at the dinner table. "The renewable energy
project is really gaining momentum now. Iberdola have essentially won the
tender mainly due to their being able to throw some funding at the project.
They are keen to continue providing the power, being the operator of the
nuclear station we are shutting down. This is obviously meaning a lean
towards wind power, which is already well established and working
efficiently in many areas of the country. Also, with the new agreements with
Canada and China in the field we might be able to gain not only further
technology and attract secondary companies to assist in the project but
possible new sources of funding."

"Are we doing anything to actively encourage that?" Elena was all for
getting some help from abroad, particularly where it eased the strain on
their wallets.

"Not at the moment, but I'm sure I could approach my counterparts there and
maybe open up lines of direct communication with the companies that might
like to take advantage of this opportunity? Also I think with the formation
of the International Project for Energy from Renewable Sources (OOC: hey I
couldn't come up with a better name - feel free guys ;-)) we could encourage
more countries to seek membership - after all, as forefront as China and
ourselves are in the area having a few more hands in the pot wouldn't be a
bad thing."

"Good, do it." Elena leant back into her chair to prepare herself for what
was still to come. "So, onto the bad news?"

"Oh no, we still have some good news to impart yet." Sebastian sounded
positively cheerful, probably actually got a night's sleep for once. He was
renowned for working himself into the ground. Admirable quality, but not if
one did it all the time. "RENFE reports that the rail overhaul is going
well. We also have Bombardier working again with Talgo to advise on the
latest technology and techniques in high speed train construction. It means
the actual work comes to us but we still get the expertise they had
developed on the matter. There has also been talks with a South African
company, but they are unwilling to go ahead with any deal unless they retain
the construction rights also. I think it would benefit us both financially,
in terms of job creation and not having to import, and also in the media if
we were to insist on Spanish construction."

"Agreed, you have obviously been working rather hard the last few weeks. So,
any more good news?"

"I'm afraid it starts to go downhill from here." Aido spoke up, so it was
going to be a talk about financing the whole operation clearly. "First of
all RENFE reports that due to the high volume of work being put their way,
that without outside help the project is going to be delayed, and we're
talking a couple of years here not a matter of weeks. The companies that
have approached us with quotes for their assistance in the matter have all
been well outwith what we proposed spending on the project."

Elena nodded solemnly, the privitisation of rail maintenance had come up for
discussion before and always ended when the discussion of how to maintain
uniform and acceptable standards came up.

"Furthermore, financing both the purchase of high speed trains and the rail
overhaul would currently involve borrowing a lot more than I'm comfortable
with, particularly considering what has already been borrowed in the past
few years. Essentially Prime Minister if we are to go ahead with the plan as
it is, we're going to be overdrawn to a figure I dare not even say."

An expletive made it's way from Elena's lips, barely audible but very sharp.

"On a slightly more positive note, our expenditure on energy has began to
see a downturn with the new self-generation project underway, but no, before
you ask, not by enough to give us the funds for our other projects. Not by a
log way even on the most optimistic estimates."

"Well, I'm open to ideas?" Elena eyed the two Ministers, hoping that they
had some sort of plan.

"Well, I do have one proposal. I'm sure it would not be enough on it's own
but it could increase our budget somewhat." Miguel looked thoughtful, this
was clearly an on-the-spot idea. "The much-flouted smoking ban has been an
area which has been quite quiet recently, and one which we have received
criticism for. I believe that is we were to be a bit more stringent in
enforcing it, with penalties, we would get a bit more revenue."

Elena nodded slowly. "Yes, but that wouldn't bring us much. Plus the
enforcement may cost as much as we make anyhow."

"Hmm, yes but I also wish to propose something a bit more...radical. What if
we were to require licensing of establishments which sell tobacco products,
rather like those which sell alcohol?"

Elena smiled a little. "Then the payments for those licenses, at least in
the initial phase, would bring us a bit more of a substantial sum. Yes, that
would be interesting. It strengthens our health policy, allows us a bit more
scope to meet our targets financially and makes us seem a bit tougher with
regards to criminal behaviour. Although I doubt the tobacco or retail
industries will be our best friends over it."

"They are already barely on speaking terms with us, Prime Minister." The
older gentleman's smile was contagious. "I shall set the wheels in motion."

"I also think we should open up the discussion about privatisation of the
rail network." Bibiana was insistent when she wanted to be.

"Ok, I'm not sure much will come of it but let's see where that leads. Also,
I want you to see if you can negotiate down some of the companies that
approached us with regards to the rail construction tender. Threaten them
with bringing in help from abroad, I find that usually works."

"Yes, Prime Minister." Elena liked when her Ministers spoke in tandem, it
gave her an amusing sense of being in control.

"So, about this budget..."

=======================================
Actions:
1) Iberdola to keep the energy tender and decommission their own nuclear
station and provide replacement energy throw wind technology.
2) Approach other companies internationally to seek interest in assisting or
provision of other energy sources.
3) Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism to approach counterparts in China
and Canada specifically to seek co-operation.
4) Other countries to be approached regarding membership of IPERS (OOC:
anyone got a better name?? lol) and encouraged to join
5) RENFE continue construction of high-speed rail lines
6) Talgo to work closely with Bombardier to construct high speed trains,
most of the construction to go through Talgo with Bombardier being put in a
consultation role mainly.
7) Re-approach companies with regards to assistance to RENFE and try and
talk them down, if that fails go international and seek cheaper alternatives
8) Open the topic of rail privatisation for discussion nationally
9) Begin more stringent enforcement of smoking ban with fines in place for
those that disobey
10) Introduce new law to be ratified requiring all vendors who wish to sell
tobacco products to purchase a license which is reviewed annually.
11) Try not to borrow too much more money lol