The gap or difference between the average salary of Spaniards and that of Europeans has increased by 21% since he ruled Pedro Sanchezin 2018, according to data released this week by Eurostat. Meanwhile, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, his Minister of Finance, Maria Jesus Monteroand other Executive ministers insisted they would raise taxes on Spanish families and businesses to equalize the tax burden nationally to the European average.
According to data from the European Statistical Institute, the gap between the average salary of Spaniards in 2018 was 4,359 euros per year, a figure which increased to 5,276 euros at the end of 2023. This is 21% more in the six years that Sánchez has been at the head of the national government for years. Concretely, the average salary of Spaniards in 2018 was 27,426 euros, while the European salary was 31,785 euros. In 2023, the average salary of Spaniards was 32,587 euros and that of Europeans was 37,863 euros.
The difference between the wages of Spaniards and Europeans increased by 917 euros under Sánchez. In addition, Spain lost one place in these six years, as it was overtaken in this ranking by Sloveniawhich recorded an average annual salary of 33,081 euros at the end of 2023. Spain ranks 12th out of 27.
While the Spaniards are losing positions with the Europeans in terms of wages, the Minister of Labor, Yolanda Diazintends to consummate its particular assault on the working day this Monday. This Monday marks the deadline for the ultimatum that the minister gave to the CEOE to accept his proposal to reduce the working day to 37.5 hours without lowering workers’ salaries, an ultimatum that the CEOE will not accept even under the shape in the background.
The refusal of the CEOE will allow Díaz to make the decision to reduce the working day by agreeing only with the unions, which will have unpredictable consequences by breaking hundreds of agreements. collective agreements already signed, also in the area of wages.
Furthermore, the government is preparing further tax increases arguing that the tax burden in Spain is well below the European average – while the wage gap is soaring. Sánchez has already implemented or increased more than 60 taxes since taking office, and he is now planning further increases. According to Sánchez, the margin available to the government to increase taxes and equalize with Europe is four points of GDPa few 60 billion euros.
Starting with the taxation of diesel, which will be equal to that of diesel on the recommendation of Brussels. This means that all citizens, regardless of the money they have, They will have to pay five euros more every time they fill up their vehicle’s tank. Middle and lower class. He will also increase taxes on tobacco, vaping devices and banks, although everything now depends on the support of his investment partners for this law since the PSOE removed the tax. imposed to energies.
In addition, there will be tax increases for businesses and for high incomes via the personal income tax, which will further boost tax collection. This year it is already aiming to will touch 300 billion euros in tax revenue, a figure from which no other government has benefited.
