For some governments, or better to say for all governments, it is hard to fight for flexible business schedules and stay tied to an interventionist and cowardly policy that keeps them from making timely decisions for fear of causing trouble in the most protectionist sectors.
Even knowing that a lack of flexibility will decrease sales and spending. It does not make sense why governments are taking this position when data show that regional governments that don't cause troubles, such as Madrid, are showing strong signs of growth and job creation.
In fact, Madrid's policy of liberalization has made it a leader in employment across Spain. As a result, in the third quarter the region created nearly 10,000 small business jobs year to year and accounted for 38% of all jobs created in this sector.
On the contrary, Catalonia and the Basque Country have more than economic interests in mind. Their belligerent attitude toward commercial freedoms have caused many businesses to close and many people to lose their jobs.
How is Artur Mas going to explain that of all the jobs lost in the small business sector this year, 54% were in Catalonia? Mas and Iñigo Urkullu, who insisted that Euskadi should stay closed on holidays, will have to explain themselves, because evidence shows that eliminating barriers works.
A push toward free trade is a positive step toward economic recovery. The problem is that government is afraid of granting this kind of liberty.
