Conversation with the Minister of Economy: “The Spanish Economic Momentum in Europe”

The Opening Ceremony of the 2025/26 academic year at the School of Graduate Studies in Economics and Political Science (UC3M) offered a unique opportunity to engage directly with economic policy at the highest level. In a dialogue framed within UC3M’s Academic Year dedicated to the European Union, Natalia Fabra had an open conversation with Carlos Cuerpo, Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, about the forces shaping Spain’s economic moment and its place in Europe.

The conversation began with a reflection on careers in Economics — on how academic training, public service, and research can complement each other to enrich policymaking. They also discussed the vital role of public universities in promoting equal opportunities and social mobility. 

Turning to the Spanish economy, they examined the drivers behind the country’s strong economic performance: robust growth, rising employment, and the transition toward higher value-added sectors. Despite this positive momentum, a key question emerged — why do many citizens still feel disconnected from these encouraging macroeconomic figures? Finally, they turned to Europe. Reflecting on the contrasting responses to the 2010 financial crisis and the pandemic, they discussed how the Next Generation EU funds represented a turning point toward a more cooperative, investment-driven European economic model. 

This exchange — enriched by the questions from our students — underscored the value of informed, open dialogue between institutions, academia, and the next generation of economists.