Inflation rate in Catalonia set at 3% for 2010
Prices increased by 7 decimals last December. The monthly price increase was of tobacco and transport.
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Barcelona airport saw an increase of 6.5% in passenger traffic last year
Barcelona-El Prat Airport had 29.1 million passengers, which means that Barcelona’s is Europe’s 9th airport. Girona airport saw a decrease of 8% in passenger traffic and Reus airport one of 16.7%.
Catalan film 'Pa Negre' wins 14 nominations at the Goya Awards
The movie has also been nominated 15 times for the Catalan Gaudí Awards, in Barcelona. 'Pa Negre' (Black Bread) is a film adaptation of a novel with the same title by Emili Teixidor.
Catalan airline company Vueling transports more than 11 million passengers in 2010
It is a record figure for the company and represents a 35 percent increase in passengers since 2009. Vueling plans to offer 10.5 million seats for the 2011 summer season, almost 7% more than the same period in 2009. The company plans to open new bases in Amsterdam and Toulouse to foster its international growth.
The next Catalan Government’s budget for 2011 will be “clearly smaller” than last year’s
The new Catalan Government announced today that the budget for 2011 (currently the 2010 has been extended) will be ready within the next 4 months and approved before the summer break. The Government’s Spokesperson, Francesc Homs, said that for the first time, the budget will be “clearly smaller” than the previous year’s. In addition, the new Government asked for an external audit on the Catalan public administration’s finances.
The Three Wise Men arrive in Catalonia
Wondering why all the children are excited and happy? The Three Kings have already arrived in Catalonia. Their presence has already created a magical atmosphere and on Wednesday night they will deliver gifts to every single house in the country.
Catalans get ready to consume over 850,000 special King cakes
The crisis will not stop Catalans from enjoying their traditional King cake on the 6th of January. The most important thing about this special King cake is not the taste, but rather the excitement of the treats that come with it.
A Social media expert is the new director for the governments’ Communication Strategy
Jordi Cuminal will have the task of communicating the government's activities to Catalan citizens. Communications is one of the most challenging departments, and was a serious test for his predecessor
Catalan Christmas abroad
How do Catalans abroad celebrate Christmas? The CNA has met four Catalan and foreign families to discover how they spend Christmas
Francesc Homs: from the party’s ‘bone’ to the Government’s ‘bone’
Francesc Homs is Artur Mas’ right-hand man in the CiU leadership and the director of the last elections’ programme. Homs is the CiU’s policy developer and now he will coordinate the new Catalan Government. Homs will continue being Mas’ closest collaborator. He will assist him in defining the Government’s main policies and he will push for action. In addition, he will directly control sensitive areas and will be the Government’s spokesperson.
Germà Gordó: the right-hand man in the shadow
The new Secretary of the Government was the party’s CFO and one of Artur Mas’ most trusted collaborators. As his duties were internal, Gordó was not a well-known figure. However, his role in the party was essential, as it will in the new Government. Gordó will remain somewhat in the shadows, as his new responsibility is to ensure the Government’s functionality. He will be in charge of preparing Government meetings and ensuring that decisions are implemented. He will also directly manage some concrete services, such as the Government’s offices across Catalonia and abroad.
Boi Ruiz: from directing the private health sector to managing the Health Ministry
The new Catalan Minister for Health comes from the private sector and he is an independent. As the Chair of the Catalan Union of Hospitals, the health business-owners association, he proposed to pay for some service in public hospitals. His main challenge will be to reduce the public expenditure on healthcare.
Josep Lluís Cleries: from managing scouts and volunteers to Social Welfare and Family policies
The new Catalan Minister for Social Welfare and Family was the CiU’s representative in the Catalan Parliament for this portfolio for the seven years in which the CiU was in the opposition. He comes from the scout and volunteering world, in which he has been very active over the last 40 years. He also worked with the Catalan Government in secondary positions in Jordi Pujol’s times.
Irene Rigau: a veteran politician and teacher in charge of Education
The new Catalan Minister for Education was the CiU’s manager of this portfolio for seven years, while the party was not in power. She has experience, both as a primary school and university teacher. Over the last 30 years, she has held several positions in politics, mainly working on education issues, with the exception of the period in which she was the Catalan Minister for Social Welfare and Family (1999-2003).
Ferran Mascarell: Socialist returns to the Ministry he headed 4 years ago
Artur Mas hired one of his former political adversaries for the top position at the Ministry of Culture. Ferran Mascarell also held this position in 2006, in the left-wing government coalition. Now, he comes back with a centre-right executive. Mascarell has extensive experience in cultural management, in the public and private sectors. He had a successful career in the Barcelona City Council and he was recently on the board of the RBA Editorial House, in charge of audiovisual products.