Rajoy: “Spain is out of recession, but not out of the crisis”

The PP leader says his current aim is a 'rigorous recovery' which allows Spain to 'create employment'.

He has also stated his intentions to stand for election again at the end of 2015.

“I have no intention of retiring, but my party will decide,” he announced.

Rajoy is said to have professed to be 'reasonably satisfied' with steps taken by the European Union to tackle the financial crisis, and has congratulated German Chancellor, Angela Merkel on her re-election.

“Things are going in the right direction,” Rajoy stated.

The head of State says he believes the Spanish economy will grow by between 0.5 and one per cent next year, but this would not be a magical cure for the 26-per-cent jobless figures straight away.

“Improvements will happen step by step,” the president concluded.

When asked about the EU bank bail-out, the PP leader said the Spanish banking system is now 'more transparent, more solvent and has better capital funding' following the loan from the European Central Bank and, when questioned about the possibility of needing further funding, said: “If you're asking me about the situation as at today, I would tell you that Spain will not need to increase the EU funding received in 2014.”

As for the thorny issue of the Bárcenas slush-fund case, which Rajoy has always denied, he said he 'hoped' society would see 'what his government has tried to do' in order to create 'a solid base for the future'.

“You cannot govern a country by thinking every day about whether or not they will vote for you next time around,” Rajoy stressed.