Pedro Sánchez: "We cannot return to the economy as it was before covid-19"

With a second wave of covid-19 already installed in much of the world and with large economies such as France on the verge of a new form of confinement, it is difficult to think that the economic and social crisis caused by the coronavirus, the most serious since World War II, may be an opportunity to get a better world, and an economy.

But that is the machacón message that the annual meeting of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), chaired this year by Spain, wants to launch.

rebuilding better, in a more egalitarian, inclusive and green way, is the mantra, affirm both the Paris-based organization and Madrid, which must accompany an era that requires more multilateralism than ever and, also, a solidarity in which health prevails about the economy.

"We need a clear direction forward, we cannot return to the economy as it was before covid-19" nor can it be "used as an excuse to set aside our objectives" in the fight against climate change or social inclusion, stressed the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, when opening the meeting of the Ministerial Council of the OECD online.

"OECD countries should see the recovery as a great opportunity to move towards a growth pattern that is more resilient, greener, digital and more inclusive," he stressed.

Sánchez's message found support in the Secretary General of the OECD, Ángel Gurría, who recalled that the body was created to implement the Marshall Plan and that therefore it has “in its DNA” the appropriate instruments to help in what is already the “worst health, economic and social crisis since World War II”.

“No country, no society has escaped the crisis and no country, no economy, no society can face it alone,” added Gurría, who agrees with Sánchez that “rebuilding better” means that “recovery has to focus on people , therefore, it has to be inclusive, sustainable and resilient ”.

It is not a question of discussing only general ideas in the two days of telematic meetings - coronavirus obliges - of the OECD.

Sánchez recalled that specific issues have already been discussed in previous meetings, such as Spain's defense of a only "gradual and careful" withdrawal of the massive financial aid that has so far helped stop the worst of the crisis.

"Covid-19 has provoked a massive policy response with great similarities in instruments and objectives in all countries", especially with emergency measures to provide financial support to companies, workers and the most vulnerable population that "must be progressively adapted and eliminated gradually and in a timely manner, ”stressed Sánchez, who highlighted the recovery fund approved by the European Union.

"Only when the recovery is consolidated and production levels restored should we focus on achieving fiscal balance gradually and carefully," he claimed and warned: "A hasty fiscal consolidation could jeopardize our efforts."

The President of the Government also emphasized that the recovery is “global”, without leaving behind the most vulnerable and indebted countries, and “feminist”, that is, that the response to the pandemic, whose weight they have had to bear in large part women for their majority presence in areas such as health, education, food or care, "protect the social, political and economic achievements for which women and their allies have fought hard for decades."

Sánchez defended the model that his Government has opted for to take advantage of the recovery to transform the economy and make it more sustainable, digital, with a social dimension and a smaller gender gap.

“We should not only seek to accelerate the recovery.

This crisis is an opportunity to build a better future, "he stated and advanced Spain's proposal that the OECD approve new well-being indicators that go beyond GDP and take into account" other relevant dimensions of progress and well-being related to sustainability. , inclusion and well-being ”.

Because "a new, more sustainable and inclusive economy needs more sustainable and inclusive indicators," he stressed.