Three things to look forward to in Spain in 2016

Next year holds a lot of promise for Spain.

The festive season and new year is fast approaching (well, approaching at its usual day-by-day speed), which means thoughts begin to turn to what 2016 will bring.

This year has been a particularly encouraging one for Spain on many fronts, with a stronger economy, fewer unemployed people and a property market that is now fully recovered from the recessions that injured it a few years ago.

But amid all the promise that next year holds for Spain, here are three of perhaps the most important things to look forward to once the clock strikes midnight on December 31…

1. A potential coalition government

The ruling People’s Party (PP) – which swept to power in 2011 amid what was still back then a particularly difficult time for Spain’s economy – is slightly ahead in the polls as the general election on December 20 nears.

Will Mariano Rajoy still be Spanish PM in 2016?

Mariano Rajoy has not always been a popular Prime Minister, but his steady leadership has undoubtedly been beneficial for Spain’s economic recovery. The PP introduced a series of labour and tax reforms between 2012 and 2013 designed to aid the country’s job market, and largely these reforms have worked.

However, the Socialist (PSOE) Party is also polling strongly, while the leftist Podemos and centre-right Citizens (Ciudadanos) parties are also set to win record shares of the vote as Spain enters a new political landscape. Whoever wins, it is unlikely any party will secure a majority vote, which means that the prospect of a coalition government – perhaps formed of the PP and Podemos – is a distinct possibility.

2. Further economic recovery

The outcome of the election will have a large bearing on how Spain’s economy performs in 2016, but the general trend – agreed among most economists – is that economic growth will continue next year, with GDP set to increase by more than 3%. This would make Spain the eurozone’s fastest-growing economy.

Property, construction, tourism – all three are looking good for next year.

The thorny issue of job creation and wage suppression remains a concern, but once again the experts agree that the Spanish economy will add hundreds of thousands of new positions in 2016. The euro will also likely recover in strength as the Greek crisis eases, while in the world of tourism, continued unrest in countries such as Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia will likely bring thousands more holidaymakers to Spain.

3. Even more happiness

The damaging recession years aside, Spain is – and always will be – a naturally happy country. Blessed with a fortunate cocktail of incredible weather, scenery and beaches, Spain has nurtured a culture based around enjoying the good things in life – family, friendship, fine food and plenty of leisure time.

Spain will once again be a happy place in 2016.

Spaniards are among the healthiest, happiest and longest-living people on earth, and with an improving economy, a world-beating football team (Spain will defend its European title in 2016), some of the most affordable and high quality housing on the continent, and a peaceful mixture of cultures enjoying one of the safest societies in Europe, next year promises to be one of unending happiness for the country once more.