Montero announces that the deficit closed at 2.5% in 2025 and expects Brussels to deactivate fiscal rules if the war prolongs
Spain's deficit for 2025 has been reported at 2.5% of GDP, as announced by Finance Minister María Jesús Montero, who highlighted compliance with EU commitments without budget cuts.
María Jesús Montero, Spain's Vice President and Minister of Finance, announced in an interview that Spain successfully met its public deficit target for 2025, closing at 2.5% of GDP, which is three-tenths lower than in 2024. She emphasized that Spain was able to achieve this without imposing any cuts, thus fulfilling its commitments to the European Commission. The final budget closure figure will be revealed on March 31.
While Montero refrained from revealing specific measures to be approved in the upcoming extraordinary Council of Ministers, she indicated that any new policies must garner parliamentary support to be viable. These measures are being crafted in response to the economic impacts stemming from the ongoing war in Iran, and although details are minimal, Montero assured that the initiatives would positively affect essential aspects of citizens' lives, likely including fuel prices.
The implication of these statements is significant, especially in the context of EU fiscal rules. Montero suggested that if the situation in Iran persists, there may be grounds for Brussels to suspend strict fiscal regulations, allowing Spain more leeway in its economic response. This situation highlights the interconnectedness of international conflict and national economic strategies, potentially altering the fiscal landscape for Spain in the coming years.