Los administradores de TransicionEstructural no se responsabilizan de las opiniones vertidas por los usuarios del foro. Cada usuario asume la responsabilidad de los comentarios publicados.
4 Usuarios y 51 Visitantes están viendo este tema.
Cita de: sargento.algodon en Hoy a las 10:19:50 En concreto, según un artículo de los investigadores Pedro Salas-Rojo y Juan Gabriel Rodríguez, las herencias son responsables de casi el 70% de la desigualdad de la riqueza. llevamos tiempo con la demonización de la herencias.Veo que va a ser el tarro a rebañar de los proximos años.Un herencia no crea desigualdad, es el fruto del trabajo de tu clan familiar.es triste ver que sobre todo las herencias son ladrillo que a daber si da tanta alegria en unos años recibirlo como herencia.
En concreto, según un artículo de los investigadores Pedro Salas-Rojo y Juan Gabriel Rodríguez, las herencias son responsables de casi el 70% de la desigualdad de la riqueza.
FUGA DE TRABAJADORES PÚBLICOS"Soy funcionario y me voy a otra comunidad porque el sueldo no me da para vivir aquí"Primero fueron las islas por el turismo, ahora otras regiones empiezan a ver cómo muchos funcionarios se marchan a otras CCAA por el aumento del precio de la viviendaFoto: La movilidad de los trabajadores públicos ha aumentado en los últimos años. (EFE/J.J. Guillén)La movilidad de los trabajadores públicos ha aumentado en los últimos años. (EFE/J.J. Guillén)Por Héctor García Barnés Gráficos: Marta Ley[...]
Cita de: cujo en Hoy a las 11:30:07Cita de: sargento.algodon en Hoy a las 10:19:50 En concreto, según un artículo de los investigadores Pedro Salas-Rojo y Juan Gabriel Rodríguez, las herencias son responsables de casi el 70% de la desigualdad de la riqueza. llevamos tiempo con la demonización de la herencias.Veo que va a ser el tarro a rebañar de los proximos años.Un herencia no crea desigualdad, es el fruto del trabajo de tu clan familiar.es triste ver que sobre todo las herencias son ladrillo que a daber si da tanta alegria en unos años recibirlo como herencia.Heredar vivienda va a ser una muy probable decepción.Se supone que se heredarán tropecientos millones. Al final se va a quedar en "al menos tienes un sitio donde vivir".Ni de coña todo ese ladrillo tiene el valor que se le presupone.CitarFUGA DE TRABAJADORES PÚBLICOS"Soy funcionario y me voy a otra comunidad porque el sueldo no me da para vivir aquí"Primero fueron las islas por el turismo, ahora otras regiones empiezan a ver cómo muchos funcionarios se marchan a otras CCAA por el aumento del precio de la viviendaFoto: La movilidad de los trabajadores públicos ha aumentado en los últimos años. (EFE/J.J. Guillén)La movilidad de los trabajadores públicos ha aumentado en los últimos años. (EFE/J.J. Guillén)Por Héctor García Barnés Gráficos: Marta Ley[...]Todo el mundo quiere ir a Mallorca de vacaciones, especialmente alemanes, tan acostumbrados ellos al orden. A ver cuántos quedan después de que no haya hospitales funcionales porque no hay algo tan básico como enfermeras y se monten los pifostios y episodios de pesadilla de rigor.Aparte de que, si las enfermeras se van de allí, es una pesadilla aún peor para quienes que se quedan. Imaginaos el marronazo (que sin duda se traducirá en momentos tensos o directamente violentos con la gente que menos culpa tiene).Un amigo tiene una relación con alguien que vino de la zona rural de Ibiza. Me comenta que hoy día es misión imposible en la capital hacer algo tan tonto como una fotocopia, nadie se dedica a eso.
Cita de: quijotededune en Hoy a las 13:54:32Una buena entrevista en la linea de lo que vienehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPNB4u230aU&ab_channel=HoraVeintipicoA ver si os funciona el enlaceEsta AI funciona sin necesidad de que el vídeo tenga transcripciones... ya se encarga ellahttps://notegpt.io/workspace/detail/zPNB4u230aULa transcripción la genera muy rápido y bastante bien, en español.El Resumen lo hace en inglés; supongo que será cuestión de configurarloCitar### Summary The video transcript presents an in-depth interview with the Spanish Minister of Housing, addressing the critical housing crisis in Spain and the government’s response through policy and regulation. The housing market is experiencing a severe surge in prices, with a 12.2% increase in the first quarter—the highest in 18 years—and 44 consecutive quarters of annual price rises. This has affected young people disproportionately, pushing many to delay leaving their parental homes and spending exorbitant portions of their income on rent, particularly in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. The crisis is linked to structural issues: high housing inheritance impact, empty homes (around 448,000 vacant), illegal tourist rentals, and the influence of large investors and property speculators.The Minister highlights this government’s commitment to treating housing as a constitutional right and social good, not merely a market commodity. The creation of a dedicated Housing Ministry reflects this priority. She stresses the importance of collaboration rather than confrontation between generational groups, owners, and tenants. Policies currently underway include rent controls now established in several autonomous regions, public housing development, a stricter crackdown on illegal tourist rentals (including registration requirements from July), fiscal measures against empty homes and speculative investment, and the promotion of a stable housing tenure.The Minister acknowledges the complex, multi-layered nature of the housing problem, including the role of private platforms that list inflated rents, and explains how transparent public data on rental prices is crucial to stabilize markets. She is optimistic about ongoing reforms and infrastructure investments aimed to expand the public housing stock—moving from 2.5% to 3.4% of total stock—and enable affordable rent options. The interview also touches on cultural factors, like the entrenched perception that property is the ultimate financial security, which complicates market corrections.Key challenges remain: local government inaction on illegal rentals, resistance from some political actors to comprehensive regulation, and the need to reconcile competing constitutional rights (property vs. housing right). Nonetheless, the government is advancing with legal tools, public infrastructure projects, and fiscal incentives designed to reshape Spain’s housing landscape toward equitable access and long-term stability.### Highlights - 🏠 Housing prices rise by 12.2% in early 2024, highest in 18 years. - 👶 Youth emancipation falls 14% due to unaffordable housing costs. - 🔒 Rent controls implemented in several Spanish regions to curb inflation. - 🚫 Crackdown on 15,000 illegal tourist rentals in Madrid to free housing stock. - 📊 Public rental price index reveals advertised rents exceed actual contract prices by 30%. - 🏢 Government pushes expansion of public housing from 2.5% to over 3.4% of total stock. - 💰 Fiscal incentives introduced to tax empty homes and dissuade speculative purchases. ### Key Insights - 🏛 **Housing as a Constitutional Right, Not Just a Market Commodity:** The Minister emphasizes a transformative approach to housing policy, redefining housing as a social right akin to education or healthcare. This is a fundamental shift to protect citizens from unchecked market speculation and ensure universal access. Embedding this right in policy frameworks reflects a broader vision of welfare state expansion.- 👥 **Bridging Generational and Social Divides to Solve Housing Challenges:** Instead of fostering conflict between generations or social groups (owners vs. tenants), the Minister advocates cooperation. Recognizing differing stakes—boomers benefiting from historic property appreciation versus youth struggling with high rents—enables nuanced policy that addresses systemic issues rather than scapegoating.- 📉 **Effective Rent Regulation Requires Enforcement and Transparency:** Rent caps like those implemented in Barcelona and other regions have demonstrated early success in reducing prices by 5-8%, yet enforcement varies regionally. Transparency of rental data is critical to prevent rent inflation driven by market speculation fueled by private rental platforms listing unrealistic prices. The Ministry’s public rent index helps anchor expectations and improves public oversight.- 🏘 **Public Housing as a Long-Term Structural Solution:** Increasing the public housing stock is essential to provide stable, affordable rental options uncontaminated by market volatility. Although Spain’s public housing percentage remains low, recent government investment aims to reverse decades of neglect. The Minister highlights new public enterprises tasked with acquisition, construction, and management of affordable rental properties as vital for systemic change.- 🏙 **Illegal Tourist Rentals: A Hidden Driver of Housing Scarcity:** Illegal short-term rentals siphon thousands of units from the long-term housing market, exacerbating affordability problems in major cities. By instituting mandatory registration and restricting the operation of unregistered units on platforms like Airbnb, the government seeks to reclaim housing stock for residents, highlighting the critical role of local government enforcement.- 💸 **Taxing Vacant Properties and Speculative Investors Can Mobilize Housing Supply:** Fiscal instruments, including increased taxation on second homes and empty properties, serve both to disincentivize speculation and encourage property owners to rent at affordable levels. This can help unlock tens of thousands of underutilized residences, though success depends on political will at local and regional levels.- ⚖ **Balancing Competing Constitutional Rights and Political Realities:** The Minister addresses the legal complexity of housing policy, noting tensions between individual property rights and the collective right to housing. The Constitutional Court rulings and decentralized power to autonomous communities shape policy boundaries. Nevertheless, central government tools like the public housing enterprise and fiscal incentives aim to work within and around these constraints, striving for practical impact despite political challenges.- 🌍 **Cultural and Sociological Barriers to Housing Reform:** The perception of housing as a lifelong investment and “family inheritance” complicates efforts to reduce prices for affordability’s sake. Generational wealth tied to property ownership partly explains resistance to reforms, as even renters hesitate to push for policies that might lower their eventual inheritance value. Overcoming this mindset is as crucial as enacting new laws.- 🎯 **Long-Term Vision: Aligning Housing Policy with Urban Planning and Demographic Trends:** The government recognizes the need for sustainable urban development that addresses growing population and household formation rates—900,000 new households since 2021 alone—and provides sufficient new housing without inducing speculative bubbles. Promoting life opportunities outside metropolitan cores and prioritizing transport proximity reflects integrated spatial planning goals that enhance quality of life and reduce environmental burden.- 🔨 **Implementation Obstacles: Local Political Resistance and Administrative Delays:** Despite central government efforts, slow issuance of building licenses and passive regional or local political actors limit the pace of housing delivery. Political disputes, regulatory fragmentation, and occasional unwillingness of local officials to crack down on illegal rentals hamper progress. The Ministry’s approach includes public pressure and electoral influence appeals to motivate compliance.- 🤝 **Engagement with Stakeholders and Social Movements Helps Shape Policy:** The Ministry involves tenant unions, public housing associations, and civic groups in policy dialogue, acknowledging their critical perspectives and advocacy role. These participatory mechanisms foster broader consensus and facilitate adjustments that more closely reflect lived realities of renters, essential for sustainable reform uptake.- 🌐 **Looking to Exemplars: International Models Inform Spanish Housing Reform:** References to Vienna’s long-established social housing system—characterized by extensive, publicly-owned rental stock and indefinite leases—serve as aspirational benchmarks. Spain’s government seeks to emulate such comprehensive, social-democratic housing models, though contextual political and historical factors require adaptation.- 💪 **Political Commitment and Leadership Are Vital to Sustaining Reform Momentum:** Creating the Ministry of Housing demonstrates the central government’s prioritization of this issue. The Minister expresses optimism rooted in recent legislative successes and growing political consensus but cautions that overcoming entrenched structural problems will take sustained effort beyond the current administration’s term.### Conclusion This video transcript delivers a comprehensive examination of the Spanish housing crisis and the multifaceted government response. It highlights structural causes, emerging policy tools, and deep cultural challenges, framing housing as a fundamental social right that requires coordinated action across levels of government and society. The interview underscores progress achieved, ongoing hurdles, and the ambitious vision to transform housing from a speculative commodity into a public good accessible to all Spaniards.CitarResumenLa transcripción del video presenta una entrevista en profundidad con la Ministra de Vivienda de España, abordando la grave crisis de vivienda en el país y la respuesta del gobierno a través de políticas y regulaciones. El mercado inmobiliario está experimentando un fuerte aumento de precios, con un incremento del 12.2% en el primer trimestre —el más alto en 18 años— y 44 trimestres consecutivos de subidas anuales. Esto ha afectado desproporcionadamente a los jóvenes, obligando a muchos a retrasar su emancipación y a destinar grandes porciones de sus ingresos al alquiler, especialmente en ciudades como Madrid y Barcelona. La crisis está vinculada a problemas estructurales: el impacto de la herencia inmobiliaria, viviendas vacías (unas 448,000), alquileres turísticos ilegales y la influencia de grandes inversores y especuladores inmobiliarios.La Ministra destaca el compromiso del gobierno de tratar la vivienda como un derecho constitucional y un bien social, no solo como una mercancía de mercado. La creación de un Ministerio de Vivienda específico refleja esta prioridad. Subraya la importancia de la colaboración en lugar del enfrentamiento entre generaciones, propietarios e inquilinos. Las políticas en marcha incluyen controles de alquiler ya establecidos en varias regiones autónomas, el desarrollo de vivienda pública, una represión más estricta contra los alquileres turísticos ilegales (con requisitos de registro a partir de julio), medidas fiscales contra viviendas vacías y la inversión especulativa, y la promoción de un régimen de tenencia de vivienda estable.La Ministra reconoce la naturaleza compleja y multifacética del problema de la vivienda, incluido el papel de plataformas privadas que anuncian alquileres inflados, y explica cómo los datos públicos transparentes sobre precios de alquiler son cruciales para estabilizar los mercados. Es optimista sobre las reformas en curso y las inversiones en infraestructura destinadas a ampliar el parque de vivienda pública —de un 2.5% a un 3.4% del total— y permitir opciones de alquiler asequibles. La entrevista también aborda factores culturales, como la percepción arraigada de que la propiedad es la máxima seguridad financiera, lo que complica las correcciones del mercado.Los desafíos clave incluyen la inacción de los gobiernos locales respecto a los alquileres ilegales, la resistencia de algunos actores políticos a una regulación integral y la necesidad de conciliar derechos constitucionales en conflicto (propiedad vs. derecho a la vivienda). Sin embargo, el gobierno avanza con herramientas legales, proyectos de infraestructura pública e incentivos fiscales diseñados para transformar el panorama de la vivienda en España hacia un acceso equitativo y una estabilidad a largo plazo.Aspectos destacados🏠 Los precios de la vivienda suben un 12.2% a principios de 2024, el mayor aumento en 18 años.👶 La emancipación juvenil cae un 14% debido a los costos inasequibles de la vivienda.🔒 Controles de alquiler implementados en varias regiones españolas para frenar la inflación.🚫 Represión contra 15,000 alquileres turísticos ilegales en Madrid para liberar el parque de viviendas.📊 El índice público de precios de alquiler revela que los alquileres anunciados superan los precios reales de los contratos en un 30%.🏢 El gobierno impulsa la expansión de la vivienda pública del 2.5% a más del 3.4% del total.💰 Se introducen incentivos fiscales para gravar viviendas vacías y disuadir compras especulativas.Perspectivas clave🏛 La vivienda como derecho constitucional, no solo una mercancía de mercado:La Ministra enfatiza un enfoque transformador de la política de vivienda, redefiniendo la vivienda como un derecho social comparable a la educación o la salud. Este cambio busca proteger a los ciudadanos de la especulación descontrolada y garantizar el acceso universal, reflejando una visión más amplia de expansión del estado de bienestar.👥 Puente entre divisiones generacionales y sociales para resolver desafíos de vivienda:En lugar de fomentar conflictos entre generaciones o grupos sociales (propietarios vs. inquilinos), la Ministra aboga por la cooperación. Reconocer los diferentes intereses —los boomers beneficiándose de la apreciación histórica de la propiedad frente a los jóvenes luchando con alquileres altos— permite políticas matizadas que abordan problemas sistémicos en lugar de buscar chivos expiatorios.📉 La regulación efectiva del alquiler requiere aplicación y transparencia:Los límites de alquiler, como los implementados en Barcelona y otras regiones, han mostrado un éxito inicial al reducir los precios entre un 5-8%, aunque la aplicación varía regionalmente. La transparencia de los datos de alquiler es crucial para prevenir la inflación impulsada por la especulación de mercado alimentada por plataformas privadas que anuncian precios irreales. El índice público de alquileres del Ministerio ayuda a anclar expectativas y mejora la supervisión pública.🏘 La vivienda pública como solución estructural a largo plazo:Aumentar el parque de vivienda pública es esencial para ofrecer opciones de alquiler estables y asequibles, no contaminadas por la volatilidad del mercado. Aunque el porcentaje de vivienda pública en España sigue siendo bajo, las recientes inversiones gubernamentales buscan revertir décadas de abandono. La Ministra destaca nuevas empresas públicas encargadas de la adquisición, construcción y gestión de propiedades de alquiler asequibles como vitales para el cambio sistémico.🏙 Alquileres turísticos ilegales: un impulsor oculto de la escasez de vivienda:Los alquileres a corto plazo ilegales desvían miles de unidades del mercado de vivienda a largo plazo, exacerbando los problemas de asequibilidad en las principales ciudades. Al instituir un registro obligatorio y restringir la operación de unidades no registradas en plataformas como Airbnb, el gobierno busca recuperar el parque de viviendas para los residentes, destacando el papel crítico de la aplicación por parte de los gobiernos locales.💸 Gravar propiedades vacías e inversores especulativos puede movilizar la oferta de vivienda:Los instrumentos fiscales, incluidos impuestos más altos sobre segundas viviendas y propiedades vacías, sirven tanto para desincentivar la especulación como para alentar a los propietarios a alquilar a niveles asequibles. Esto puede ayudar a desbloquear decenas de miles de residencias subutilizadas, aunque el éxito depende de la voluntad política a nivel local y regional.⚖ Equilibrio entre derechos constitucionales en conflicto y realidades políticas:La Ministra aborda la complejidad legal de la política de vivienda, señalando las tensiones entre los derechos de propiedad individuales y el derecho colectivo a la vivienda. Las sentencias del Tribunal Constitucional y el poder descentralizado a las comunidades autónomas dan forma a los límites de la política. Sin embargo, las herramientas del gobierno central, como la empresa pública de vivienda y los incentivos fiscales, buscan trabajar dentro y alrededor de estas restricciones, buscando un impacto práctico a pesar de los desafíos políticos.🌍 Barreras culturales y sociológicas para la reforma de la vivienda:La percepción de la vivienda como una inversión de por vida y una "herencia familiar" complica los esfuerzos para reducir los precios en aras de la asequibilidad. La riqueza generacional ligada a la propiedad explica en parte la resistencia a las reformas, ya que incluso los inquilinos dudan en apoyar políticas que podrían reducir el valor de su eventual herencia. Superar esta mentalidad es tan crucial como promulgar nuevas leyes.🎯 Visión a largo plazo: alinear la política de vivienda con la planificación urbana y las tendencias demográficas:El gobierno reconoce la necesidad de un desarrollo urbano sostenible que aborde el crecimiento de la población y las tasas de formación de hogares —900,000 nuevos hogares desde 2021— y proporcione suficiente vivienda nueva sin inducir burbujas especulativas. Promover oportunidades de vida fuera de los núcleos metropolitanos y priorizar la proximidad al transporte refleja objetivos de planificación espacial integrada que mejoran la calidad de vida y reducen la carga ambiental.🔨 Obstáculos de implementación: resistencia política local y demoras administrativas:A pesar de los esfuerzos del gobierno central, la emisión lenta de licencias de construcción y la pasividad de actores políticos regionales o locales limitan el ritmo de entrega de viviendas. Las disputas políticas, la fragmentación regulatoria y la ocasional falta de voluntad de los funcionarios locales para reprimir los alquileres ilegales obstaculizan el progreso. El enfoque del Ministerio incluye presión pública y apelaciones a la influencia electoral para motivar el cumplimiento.🤝 Compromiso con partes interesadas y movimientos sociales ayuda a dar forma a la política:El Ministerio involucra a sindicatos de inquilinos, asociaciones de vivienda pública y grupos cívicos en el diálogo político, reconociendo sus perspectivas críticas y su papel de defensa. Estos mecanismos participativos fomentan un consenso más amplio y facilitan ajustes que reflejan más de cerca las realidades vividas por los inquilinos, esenciales para la adopción sostenible de reformas.🌐 Mirando a los ejemplos: modelos internacionales informan la reforma de vivienda en España:Las referencias al sistema de vivienda social de Viena —caracterizado por un amplio parque de alquiler público y arrendamientos indefinidos— sirven como puntos de referencia aspiracionales. El gobierno de España busca emular modelos de vivienda socialdemócrata tan completos, aunque los factores políticos e históricos contextuales requieren adaptación.💪 El compromiso político y el liderazgo son vitales para mantener el impulso de la reforma:La creación del Ministerio de Vivienda demuestra la priorización del gobierno central de este tema. La Ministra expresa optimismo basado en los recientes éxitos legislativos y el creciente consenso político, pero advierte que superar los problemas estructurales arraigados requerirá un esfuerzo sostenido más allá del mandato de la actual administración.ConclusiónLa transcripción del video ofrece un examen exhaustivo de la crisis de vivienda en España y la respuesta multifacética del gobierno. Destaca las causas estructurales, las herramientas políticas emergentes y los profundos desafíos culturales, enmarcando la vivienda como un derecho social fundamental que requiere una acción coordinada en todos los niveles de gobierno y sociedad. La entrevista subraya el progreso alcanzado, los obstáculos en curso y la ambiciosa visión de transformar la vivienda de una mercancía especulativa en un bien público accesible para todos los españoles.
Una buena entrevista en la linea de lo que vienehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPNB4u230aU&ab_channel=HoraVeintipico
### Summary The video transcript presents an in-depth interview with the Spanish Minister of Housing, addressing the critical housing crisis in Spain and the government’s response through policy and regulation. The housing market is experiencing a severe surge in prices, with a 12.2% increase in the first quarter—the highest in 18 years—and 44 consecutive quarters of annual price rises. This has affected young people disproportionately, pushing many to delay leaving their parental homes and spending exorbitant portions of their income on rent, particularly in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. The crisis is linked to structural issues: high housing inheritance impact, empty homes (around 448,000 vacant), illegal tourist rentals, and the influence of large investors and property speculators.The Minister highlights this government’s commitment to treating housing as a constitutional right and social good, not merely a market commodity. The creation of a dedicated Housing Ministry reflects this priority. She stresses the importance of collaboration rather than confrontation between generational groups, owners, and tenants. Policies currently underway include rent controls now established in several autonomous regions, public housing development, a stricter crackdown on illegal tourist rentals (including registration requirements from July), fiscal measures against empty homes and speculative investment, and the promotion of a stable housing tenure.The Minister acknowledges the complex, multi-layered nature of the housing problem, including the role of private platforms that list inflated rents, and explains how transparent public data on rental prices is crucial to stabilize markets. She is optimistic about ongoing reforms and infrastructure investments aimed to expand the public housing stock—moving from 2.5% to 3.4% of total stock—and enable affordable rent options. The interview also touches on cultural factors, like the entrenched perception that property is the ultimate financial security, which complicates market corrections.Key challenges remain: local government inaction on illegal rentals, resistance from some political actors to comprehensive regulation, and the need to reconcile competing constitutional rights (property vs. housing right). Nonetheless, the government is advancing with legal tools, public infrastructure projects, and fiscal incentives designed to reshape Spain’s housing landscape toward equitable access and long-term stability.### Highlights - 🏠 Housing prices rise by 12.2% in early 2024, highest in 18 years. - 👶 Youth emancipation falls 14% due to unaffordable housing costs. - 🔒 Rent controls implemented in several Spanish regions to curb inflation. - 🚫 Crackdown on 15,000 illegal tourist rentals in Madrid to free housing stock. - 📊 Public rental price index reveals advertised rents exceed actual contract prices by 30%. - 🏢 Government pushes expansion of public housing from 2.5% to over 3.4% of total stock. - 💰 Fiscal incentives introduced to tax empty homes and dissuade speculative purchases. ### Key Insights - 🏛 **Housing as a Constitutional Right, Not Just a Market Commodity:** The Minister emphasizes a transformative approach to housing policy, redefining housing as a social right akin to education or healthcare. This is a fundamental shift to protect citizens from unchecked market speculation and ensure universal access. Embedding this right in policy frameworks reflects a broader vision of welfare state expansion.- 👥 **Bridging Generational and Social Divides to Solve Housing Challenges:** Instead of fostering conflict between generations or social groups (owners vs. tenants), the Minister advocates cooperation. Recognizing differing stakes—boomers benefiting from historic property appreciation versus youth struggling with high rents—enables nuanced policy that addresses systemic issues rather than scapegoating.- 📉 **Effective Rent Regulation Requires Enforcement and Transparency:** Rent caps like those implemented in Barcelona and other regions have demonstrated early success in reducing prices by 5-8%, yet enforcement varies regionally. Transparency of rental data is critical to prevent rent inflation driven by market speculation fueled by private rental platforms listing unrealistic prices. The Ministry’s public rent index helps anchor expectations and improves public oversight.- 🏘 **Public Housing as a Long-Term Structural Solution:** Increasing the public housing stock is essential to provide stable, affordable rental options uncontaminated by market volatility. Although Spain’s public housing percentage remains low, recent government investment aims to reverse decades of neglect. The Minister highlights new public enterprises tasked with acquisition, construction, and management of affordable rental properties as vital for systemic change.- 🏙 **Illegal Tourist Rentals: A Hidden Driver of Housing Scarcity:** Illegal short-term rentals siphon thousands of units from the long-term housing market, exacerbating affordability problems in major cities. By instituting mandatory registration and restricting the operation of unregistered units on platforms like Airbnb, the government seeks to reclaim housing stock for residents, highlighting the critical role of local government enforcement.- 💸 **Taxing Vacant Properties and Speculative Investors Can Mobilize Housing Supply:** Fiscal instruments, including increased taxation on second homes and empty properties, serve both to disincentivize speculation and encourage property owners to rent at affordable levels. This can help unlock tens of thousands of underutilized residences, though success depends on political will at local and regional levels.- ⚖ **Balancing Competing Constitutional Rights and Political Realities:** The Minister addresses the legal complexity of housing policy, noting tensions between individual property rights and the collective right to housing. The Constitutional Court rulings and decentralized power to autonomous communities shape policy boundaries. Nevertheless, central government tools like the public housing enterprise and fiscal incentives aim to work within and around these constraints, striving for practical impact despite political challenges.- 🌍 **Cultural and Sociological Barriers to Housing Reform:** The perception of housing as a lifelong investment and “family inheritance” complicates efforts to reduce prices for affordability’s sake. Generational wealth tied to property ownership partly explains resistance to reforms, as even renters hesitate to push for policies that might lower their eventual inheritance value. Overcoming this mindset is as crucial as enacting new laws.- 🎯 **Long-Term Vision: Aligning Housing Policy with Urban Planning and Demographic Trends:** The government recognizes the need for sustainable urban development that addresses growing population and household formation rates—900,000 new households since 2021 alone—and provides sufficient new housing without inducing speculative bubbles. Promoting life opportunities outside metropolitan cores and prioritizing transport proximity reflects integrated spatial planning goals that enhance quality of life and reduce environmental burden.- 🔨 **Implementation Obstacles: Local Political Resistance and Administrative Delays:** Despite central government efforts, slow issuance of building licenses and passive regional or local political actors limit the pace of housing delivery. Political disputes, regulatory fragmentation, and occasional unwillingness of local officials to crack down on illegal rentals hamper progress. The Ministry’s approach includes public pressure and electoral influence appeals to motivate compliance.- 🤝 **Engagement with Stakeholders and Social Movements Helps Shape Policy:** The Ministry involves tenant unions, public housing associations, and civic groups in policy dialogue, acknowledging their critical perspectives and advocacy role. These participatory mechanisms foster broader consensus and facilitate adjustments that more closely reflect lived realities of renters, essential for sustainable reform uptake.- 🌐 **Looking to Exemplars: International Models Inform Spanish Housing Reform:** References to Vienna’s long-established social housing system—characterized by extensive, publicly-owned rental stock and indefinite leases—serve as aspirational benchmarks. Spain’s government seeks to emulate such comprehensive, social-democratic housing models, though contextual political and historical factors require adaptation.- 💪 **Political Commitment and Leadership Are Vital to Sustaining Reform Momentum:** Creating the Ministry of Housing demonstrates the central government’s prioritization of this issue. The Minister expresses optimism rooted in recent legislative successes and growing political consensus but cautions that overcoming entrenched structural problems will take sustained effort beyond the current administration’s term.### Conclusion This video transcript delivers a comprehensive examination of the Spanish housing crisis and the multifaceted government response. It highlights structural causes, emerging policy tools, and deep cultural challenges, framing housing as a fundamental social right that requires coordinated action across levels of government and society. The interview underscores progress achieved, ongoing hurdles, and the ambitious vision to transform housing from a speculative commodity into a public good accessible to all Spaniards.
ResumenLa transcripción del video presenta una entrevista en profundidad con la Ministra de Vivienda de España, abordando la grave crisis de vivienda en el país y la respuesta del gobierno a través de políticas y regulaciones. El mercado inmobiliario está experimentando un fuerte aumento de precios, con un incremento del 12.2% en el primer trimestre —el más alto en 18 años— y 44 trimestres consecutivos de subidas anuales. Esto ha afectado desproporcionadamente a los jóvenes, obligando a muchos a retrasar su emancipación y a destinar grandes porciones de sus ingresos al alquiler, especialmente en ciudades como Madrid y Barcelona. La crisis está vinculada a problemas estructurales: el impacto de la herencia inmobiliaria, viviendas vacías (unas 448,000), alquileres turísticos ilegales y la influencia de grandes inversores y especuladores inmobiliarios.La Ministra destaca el compromiso del gobierno de tratar la vivienda como un derecho constitucional y un bien social, no solo como una mercancía de mercado. La creación de un Ministerio de Vivienda específico refleja esta prioridad. Subraya la importancia de la colaboración en lugar del enfrentamiento entre generaciones, propietarios e inquilinos. Las políticas en marcha incluyen controles de alquiler ya establecidos en varias regiones autónomas, el desarrollo de vivienda pública, una represión más estricta contra los alquileres turísticos ilegales (con requisitos de registro a partir de julio), medidas fiscales contra viviendas vacías y la inversión especulativa, y la promoción de un régimen de tenencia de vivienda estable.La Ministra reconoce la naturaleza compleja y multifacética del problema de la vivienda, incluido el papel de plataformas privadas que anuncian alquileres inflados, y explica cómo los datos públicos transparentes sobre precios de alquiler son cruciales para estabilizar los mercados. Es optimista sobre las reformas en curso y las inversiones en infraestructura destinadas a ampliar el parque de vivienda pública —de un 2.5% a un 3.4% del total— y permitir opciones de alquiler asequibles. La entrevista también aborda factores culturales, como la percepción arraigada de que la propiedad es la máxima seguridad financiera, lo que complica las correcciones del mercado.Los desafíos clave incluyen la inacción de los gobiernos locales respecto a los alquileres ilegales, la resistencia de algunos actores políticos a una regulación integral y la necesidad de conciliar derechos constitucionales en conflicto (propiedad vs. derecho a la vivienda). Sin embargo, el gobierno avanza con herramientas legales, proyectos de infraestructura pública e incentivos fiscales diseñados para transformar el panorama de la vivienda en España hacia un acceso equitativo y una estabilidad a largo plazo.Aspectos destacados🏠 Los precios de la vivienda suben un 12.2% a principios de 2024, el mayor aumento en 18 años.👶 La emancipación juvenil cae un 14% debido a los costos inasequibles de la vivienda.🔒 Controles de alquiler implementados en varias regiones españolas para frenar la inflación.🚫 Represión contra 15,000 alquileres turísticos ilegales en Madrid para liberar el parque de viviendas.📊 El índice público de precios de alquiler revela que los alquileres anunciados superan los precios reales de los contratos en un 30%.🏢 El gobierno impulsa la expansión de la vivienda pública del 2.5% a más del 3.4% del total.💰 Se introducen incentivos fiscales para gravar viviendas vacías y disuadir compras especulativas.Perspectivas clave🏛 La vivienda como derecho constitucional, no solo una mercancía de mercado:La Ministra enfatiza un enfoque transformador de la política de vivienda, redefiniendo la vivienda como un derecho social comparable a la educación o la salud. Este cambio busca proteger a los ciudadanos de la especulación descontrolada y garantizar el acceso universal, reflejando una visión más amplia de expansión del estado de bienestar.👥 Puente entre divisiones generacionales y sociales para resolver desafíos de vivienda:En lugar de fomentar conflictos entre generaciones o grupos sociales (propietarios vs. inquilinos), la Ministra aboga por la cooperación. Reconocer los diferentes intereses —los boomers beneficiándose de la apreciación histórica de la propiedad frente a los jóvenes luchando con alquileres altos— permite políticas matizadas que abordan problemas sistémicos en lugar de buscar chivos expiatorios.📉 La regulación efectiva del alquiler requiere aplicación y transparencia:Los límites de alquiler, como los implementados en Barcelona y otras regiones, han mostrado un éxito inicial al reducir los precios entre un 5-8%, aunque la aplicación varía regionalmente. La transparencia de los datos de alquiler es crucial para prevenir la inflación impulsada por la especulación de mercado alimentada por plataformas privadas que anuncian precios irreales. El índice público de alquileres del Ministerio ayuda a anclar expectativas y mejora la supervisión pública.🏘 La vivienda pública como solución estructural a largo plazo:Aumentar el parque de vivienda pública es esencial para ofrecer opciones de alquiler estables y asequibles, no contaminadas por la volatilidad del mercado. Aunque el porcentaje de vivienda pública en España sigue siendo bajo, las recientes inversiones gubernamentales buscan revertir décadas de abandono. La Ministra destaca nuevas empresas públicas encargadas de la adquisición, construcción y gestión de propiedades de alquiler asequibles como vitales para el cambio sistémico.🏙 Alquileres turísticos ilegales: un impulsor oculto de la escasez de vivienda:Los alquileres a corto plazo ilegales desvían miles de unidades del mercado de vivienda a largo plazo, exacerbando los problemas de asequibilidad en las principales ciudades. Al instituir un registro obligatorio y restringir la operación de unidades no registradas en plataformas como Airbnb, el gobierno busca recuperar el parque de viviendas para los residentes, destacando el papel crítico de la aplicación por parte de los gobiernos locales.💸 Gravar propiedades vacías e inversores especulativos puede movilizar la oferta de vivienda:Los instrumentos fiscales, incluidos impuestos más altos sobre segundas viviendas y propiedades vacías, sirven tanto para desincentivar la especulación como para alentar a los propietarios a alquilar a niveles asequibles. Esto puede ayudar a desbloquear decenas de miles de residencias subutilizadas, aunque el éxito depende de la voluntad política a nivel local y regional.⚖ Equilibrio entre derechos constitucionales en conflicto y realidades políticas:La Ministra aborda la complejidad legal de la política de vivienda, señalando las tensiones entre los derechos de propiedad individuales y el derecho colectivo a la vivienda. Las sentencias del Tribunal Constitucional y el poder descentralizado a las comunidades autónomas dan forma a los límites de la política. Sin embargo, las herramientas del gobierno central, como la empresa pública de vivienda y los incentivos fiscales, buscan trabajar dentro y alrededor de estas restricciones, buscando un impacto práctico a pesar de los desafíos políticos.🌍 Barreras culturales y sociológicas para la reforma de la vivienda:La percepción de la vivienda como una inversión de por vida y una "herencia familiar" complica los esfuerzos para reducir los precios en aras de la asequibilidad. La riqueza generacional ligada a la propiedad explica en parte la resistencia a las reformas, ya que incluso los inquilinos dudan en apoyar políticas que podrían reducir el valor de su eventual herencia. Superar esta mentalidad es tan crucial como promulgar nuevas leyes.🎯 Visión a largo plazo: alinear la política de vivienda con la planificación urbana y las tendencias demográficas:El gobierno reconoce la necesidad de un desarrollo urbano sostenible que aborde el crecimiento de la población y las tasas de formación de hogares —900,000 nuevos hogares desde 2021— y proporcione suficiente vivienda nueva sin inducir burbujas especulativas. Promover oportunidades de vida fuera de los núcleos metropolitanos y priorizar la proximidad al transporte refleja objetivos de planificación espacial integrada que mejoran la calidad de vida y reducen la carga ambiental.🔨 Obstáculos de implementación: resistencia política local y demoras administrativas:A pesar de los esfuerzos del gobierno central, la emisión lenta de licencias de construcción y la pasividad de actores políticos regionales o locales limitan el ritmo de entrega de viviendas. Las disputas políticas, la fragmentación regulatoria y la ocasional falta de voluntad de los funcionarios locales para reprimir los alquileres ilegales obstaculizan el progreso. El enfoque del Ministerio incluye presión pública y apelaciones a la influencia electoral para motivar el cumplimiento.🤝 Compromiso con partes interesadas y movimientos sociales ayuda a dar forma a la política:El Ministerio involucra a sindicatos de inquilinos, asociaciones de vivienda pública y grupos cívicos en el diálogo político, reconociendo sus perspectivas críticas y su papel de defensa. Estos mecanismos participativos fomentan un consenso más amplio y facilitan ajustes que reflejan más de cerca las realidades vividas por los inquilinos, esenciales para la adopción sostenible de reformas.🌐 Mirando a los ejemplos: modelos internacionales informan la reforma de vivienda en España:Las referencias al sistema de vivienda social de Viena —caracterizado por un amplio parque de alquiler público y arrendamientos indefinidos— sirven como puntos de referencia aspiracionales. El gobierno de España busca emular modelos de vivienda socialdemócrata tan completos, aunque los factores políticos e históricos contextuales requieren adaptación.💪 El compromiso político y el liderazgo son vitales para mantener el impulso de la reforma:La creación del Ministerio de Vivienda demuestra la priorización del gobierno central de este tema. La Ministra expresa optimismo basado en los recientes éxitos legislativos y el creciente consenso político, pero advierte que superar los problemas estructurales arraigados requerirá un esfuerzo sostenido más allá del mandato de la actual administración.ConclusiónLa transcripción del video ofrece un examen exhaustivo de la crisis de vivienda en España y la respuesta multifacética del gobierno. Destaca las causas estructurales, las herramientas políticas emergentes y los profundos desafíos culturales, enmarcando la vivienda como un derecho social fundamental que requiere una acción coordinada en todos los niveles de gobierno y sociedad. La entrevista subraya el progreso alcanzado, los obstáculos en curso y la ambiciosa visión de transformar la vivienda de una mercancía especulativa en un bien público accesible para todos los españoles.
Aumento en el Precio de la ViviendaEn el primer trimestre de 2024, el precio de la vivienda en España aumentó un 12.2%, marcando el mayor incremento en 18 años.Este aumento se suma a 44 trimestres consecutivos de incrementos interanuales en los precios de compra-venta de viviendas.La economía española se está transformando en una economía de herederos, con un creciente peso de las herencias de viviendas en el PIB, alcanzando niveles no vistos desde la Primera Guerra Mundial.Situación de los Jóvenes y EmancipaciónLa emancipación juvenil ha caído un 14% debido a los altos precios de la vivienda, obligando a muchos jóvenes a vivir con sus padres.En ciudades como Madrid y Barcelona, los inquilinos destinan hasta el 71% de sus ingresos al alquiler, lo que genera precariedad habitacional.La falta de viviendas asequibles ha llevado a Bruselas a exigir a España un aumento en la regulación fiscal y en la oferta de vivienda.Política de Vivienda del GobiernoLa creación del Ministerio de Vivienda es una respuesta a la crisis habitacional, buscando implementar políticas integrales para solucionar problemas actuales y futuros.La ministra enfatiza la necesidad de colaboración entre inquilinos y propietarios para abordar la crisis, en lugar de fomentar la confrontación.Se están llevando a cabo regulaciones en el mercado de alquiler, incluyendo límites en los precios de alquiler, para ofrecer más estabilidad a los inquilinos.Desafíos en la Regulación y MercadoAunque ya existen limitaciones en los precios de alquiler, hay propietarios que evitan cumplir con estas regulaciones, lo que genera un mercado descontrolado.La ministra destaca la importancia de que los datos del mercado sean transparentes y accesibles para garantizar una política pública efectiva.Se está trabajando para movilizar viviendas vacías y asegurar que las plataformas de alquiler sigan las regulaciones establecidas.Intervenciones para Aumentar la Oferta de ViviendaEl gobierno planea aumentar la construcción de viviendas para satisfacer la demanda creciente, con una necesidad estimada de 400,000 nuevas viviendas.La ministra menciona esfuerzos para rehabilitar viviendas existentes y mejorar su condición para alquiler asequible.Se están implementando medidas fiscales para incentivar la creación de un parque público de vivienda y garantizar el acceso a todos los ciudadanos.
Aumento de Precios de la ViviendaEn el primer trimestre de 2024, el precio de la vivienda en España experimentó un aumento significativo del 12,2%, la mayor alza en 18 años. Este incremento se ha visto acompañado por un aumento constante en los precios de compra-venta, que han acumulado 44 trimestres consecutivos de incrementos interanuales. Este fenómeno sugiere una tendencia hacia una "economía de herederos", donde el valor de las herencias de viviendas y otros inmuebles ha alcanzado niveles no vistos desde la Primera Guerra Mundial.Desafíos de la Emancipación JuvenilLa situación actual ha afectado notablemente a los jóvenes, cuya emancipación ha caído un 14% debido al alto costo de la vivienda. En ciudades como Madrid y Barcelona, los inquilinos se enfrentan a precariedad habitacional, dedicando aproximadamente el 71% de sus salarios al alquiler. Este contexto ha llevado a Bruselas a demandar a España más impuestos y un enfoque hacia la vivienda asequible.Políticas y Respuestas del GobiernoDurante la entrevista con Isabel Rodríguez, Ministra de Vivienda, se destacó la creación del ministerio como un paso decisivo para abordar la crisis de vivienda. La ministra enfatizó que la solución requiere colaboración entre todos los actores involucrados, destacando que confrontar no es el camino. Las políticas deben centrarse en la regulación del mercado de alquiler, incluyendo la limitación de precios y la necesidad de incrementar la oferta de vivienda.El Papel de los Fondos de Inversión y la RegulaciónLa ministra abordó la problemática de los fondos de inversión que adquieren propiedades, provocando el desplazamiento de inquilinos. La regulación del mercado de alquiler es crucial para evitar prácticas abusivas. España ya ha comenzado a implementar leyes que limitan los precios de alquiler en varias comunidades, y la ministra subrayó la importancia de que los datos del mercado sean públicos y accesibles, lo que permitiría una mejor política pública.Construcción y Vivienda PúblicaRodríguez destacó la necesidad de aumentar la construcción de viviendas asequibles y de calidad, apuntando a que el parque público de viviendas debe ser ampliado. A pesar de los retos, existe la esperanza de que, con un enfoque estructural y una inversión adecuada, se puedan revertir las tendencias actuales del mercado y garantizar el derecho a la vivienda como un pilar del estado de bienestar.Conclusión sobre la Crisis de ViviendaLa crisis de vivienda en España es compleja y multifacética, afectando a diversos sectores de la población. Las soluciones propuestas requieren un enfoque integrador y regulador, así como un compromiso decidido por parte de las administraciones locales y nacionales. La ministra Rodríguez reafirmó su compromiso de trabajar hacia un futuro donde la vivienda sea considerada un derecho y no solo un bien de mercado.
[...] Muy interesanteYa que sale el tema de Israel ...
Japan scraps US meeting after Washington demands more defence spendingAllies’ top defence and foreign policy officials were due to hold talks on July 1 US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth, left, and Elbridge Colby, under-secretary of defence for policy. Colby has been at the forefront of calls for Tokyo to increase defence spending © AFP/Getty ImagesJapan has cancelled a top-level meeting with the US after the Trump administration abruptly told Tokyo to spend more on defence, sparking anger in Washington’s closest Asian ally.US secretary of state Marco Rubio and defence secretary Pete Hegseth were due to meet Japan’s defence minister Gen Nakatani and foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya in Washington on July 1 for annual security talks known as the “2+2”.But Tokyo scrapped the meeting after the US asked Japan to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent, higher than its earlier request of 3 per cent, according to three people familiar with the matter, including two officials in Tokyo.The new, higher demand was made in recent weeks by Elbridge Colby, the third-most senior official at the Pentagon, and sparked anger in Tokyo.The tension over security issues comes as the allies hold tough trade talks after President Donald Trump in April imposed “reciprocal” tariffs on Japan.One senior Japanese official said the decision to cancel the July 1 meeting was also related to the July 20 Upper House elections where the ruling Liberal Democratic party is expected to suffer a loss of seats.Christopher Johnstone, a former senior US government Japan expert, said Tokyo viewed 2+2 meetings as a “very high priority” because they provided “politically valuable opportunities to showcase the strength of the US-Japan alliance”. He said postponing the meeting until after the Japanese election signalled “significant unease in Tokyo about the state of the bilateral relationship and its outlook”.“Tokyo appears to have concluded that the political risk of a meeting before the election was higher than the potential gain — a pretty extraordinary assessment, if true,” said Johnstone, partner at The Asia Group, a consultancy.The friction between Washington and Tokyo comes as the US puts pressure on European and Asian allies to boost defence spending.Speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue defence forum in Singapore last month, Hegseth urged Asia-Pacific allies to follow the “newfound example” of Europeans pledging to spend more and cited the threats in the region from China and North Korea.“The US is now playing hardball with allies in the Asia-Pacific,” said one defence official.Colby has been at the forefront of that push. In his US Senate confirmation hearing in March, his calls for Tokyo to increase defence spending drew a rebuke from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who said Tokyo would decide its own budget.“The Trump administration’s inconsistent and unrealistic message on its expectations for allied defence spending levels in Asia risks backfiring and undermining those officials and experts who are most supportive of the United States in some key foreign capitals,” said Zack Cooper, an Asia security expert at the American Enterprise Institute.Colby has taken other positions that have raised anxiety among US allies. The Financial Times recently revealed that he was conducting a review of Aukus, the landmark security agreement between the US, UK and Australia designed to help Canberra procure a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.The FT also reported in May that he had told European countries that they should focus their militaries on the Euro-Atlantic region and less on the Asia-Pacific. The stance marked a shift from the Biden administration’s push to involve European allies in Asia to send a unified message of deterrence to China.Japan’s defence ministry declined to comment on whether the talks had been cancelled, and said that no decision had been made on the timing of the next 2+2 meeting. The state department and Pentagon did not comment.
—¿Y nosotros?—Los esenios, siempre flotando en los mares muertos.]
China’s Influence Grows in Middle East: Peace Efforts Between Israel and IranChina could play a major role in de-escalating the conflict between Israel and Iran, as China is currently the most important party to mediate and halt Israeli attacks on Tehran and Iranian retaliation deep inside Tel Aviv.photo creit: Tomer Neuberg/JINI via XinhuaChina could play a major role in de-escalating the conflict between Israel and Iran, as China is currently the most important party to mediate between Israel and Iran to halt Israeli attacks on Tehran and halt Iranian retaliation deep inside Tel Aviv. On a personal, academic, and analytical level, I presented a more comprehensive approach through my analysis on the “Modern Diplomacy” website for global political analyses several months ago, which is that China will play a mediating role between Israel and Iran to resolve the differences between them in preparation for establishing comprehensive regional and international peace between all parties, with the possibility of a comprehensive peace agreement between Iran and Israel under Chinese sponsorship and the opening of an Israeli embassy in the capital, Tehran, and similarly the opening of an Iranian embassy in Tel Aviv. Because, in my view as an academic specialized and internationally known in Chinese political affairs, China is the only most credible party that all parties can rely on in formulating a comprehensive peace agreement between its parties, in accordance with the initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping known as the Global Security Initiative, whose provisions are based on China adopting a comprehensive approach in managing all conflicts and crises around the world in preparation for resolving and mediating them, in accordance with the principle of South-South dialogue that China sponsors and adopts to advance countries. The developing global South, with China as its leader, responsible and global supporter, as the world’s largest developing country.On the other hand, most Middle Eastern countries support China’s new global role, although achieving China’s vision for global security in the Middle East is not without challenges in the long term due to the deep-rooted differences between its parties, most notably the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Iranian-Israeli conflict. Satisfactory solutions to the crises in the Middle East require diplomatic, geopolitical, and security consensus between China, Iran, Israel, and all Arab, Islamic, and Gulf states. Furthermore, they require a more decisive Chinese position on the turbulent and confusing events in the region to preserve China’s interests in global trade flows and maintain the security of global maritime navigation, maritime transport, and logistics through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, which are controlled by Iran, and through the Egyptian Suez Canal.Here, China is considered a reliable partner for most countries in the region, playing a more active role in helping manage regional unrest and mediating various conflicts. This is especially true given that Beijing does not bear the historical burdens of its Western counterparts and that American influence, particularly in the Middle East, is suffering as a result of its association with the Israeli role in the region, especially after the Israeli destruction of the Gaza Strip, which has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Gazans since the start of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. China has attempted to offer several proposals to stop the war on Gaza, bringing together Hamas and Fatah and calling on the UN Security Council to de-escalate the conflict. Beijing also seized the opportunity of its meetings with Arab and Gulf foreign ministers to reaffirm the various peace plans it had previously proposed. Chinese President Xi Jinping defined China’s approach to the Middle East, stating that “China is committed to determining its policies and taking actions toward the Middle East based on the facts of the issues themselves and based on the fundamental interests of the peoples of the region.” We work to advise reconciliation and encourage negotiations, but we do not appoint agents. We make efforts to form a circle of friends for the Belt and Road Initiative that covers everyone.”China has enough influence leverage, especially with Israel, to play the role of a trusted mediator in this conflict. Particularly, both Israel and the United States are also counting on the role Beijing can play at the present time to stop the mutual attacks between Iran and Israel, especially since the Israeli army does not expect Iran’s response in the heart of Tel Aviv to be this violent and precise, targeting targets inside Israel itself. China can also play a dual role in calming the war between Israel and Hamas by working towards a comprehensive reconciliation with all political factions supported by Iran, China’s ally, such as Hamas, the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. China’s Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Zhai Jun, can play this role by negotiating with all these concerned parties in preparation for a comprehensive reconciliation between all parties under Chinese sponsorship, support, and guidance. This is especially true after the United States requested, at the beginning of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, 2023, to use China’s influence to prevent the conflict from expanding. Washington also hopes that China’s friendship with Iran, which supports Hamas and other movements, will contribute to calming the conflict, especially after Beijing previously sponsored an agreement to improve relations between Tehran and Riyadh.China has sufficient influence to exert some influence over Tel Aviv. In this regard, we can refer to a lengthy report published by the Israeli Channel 12 website on the importance of strengthening Israeli-Chinese relations, not only to confront the Iranian threat, but also to, as the Israeli channel called it, keep pace with the “new global trend” being shaped by China, especially in the field of high technology. The Channel 12 report discussed this analysis of the most important fundamental variables that Israel considers in its calculations for relations with China, primarily the field of entrepreneurship, including the motivations and challenges facing these relations with Beijing. The Israeli side is already interested in mapping policies of interest to Israeli decision-makers in order to strengthen the position of the Israeli economy on the global map through economic rapprochement with China, while supporting the file of entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises in Israel through cooperation with China.Accordingly, Israel desperately needs China to support its infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, desalination plants, cables, solar panels, and land and sea ports, knowing that 90% of Israel’s trade is linked to the Mediterranean and Red Seas, given Beijing’s overwhelming presence and influence with its ally, Iran, to protect shipping and the maritime straits controlled by Iran through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, in addition to China’s relationship with Egypt and its influence through the Egyptian Suez Canal. Tel Aviv can rely heavily on China’s influence to advance its interests and prevent its trade and commercial activity in the region.There are many factors that shape Beijing’s current positioning in the conflict between Israel and Iran, the most important of which is the safety of its citizens on both sides. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its embassies and consulates general in both Iran and Israel, is currently working to arrange urgent procedures for the evacuation of Chinese citizens from both Iran and Israel amid escalating tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran. Chinese authorities immediately activated their emergency response mechanism and urged both Israel and Iran to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions. Chinese authorities also issued alerts and instructions, maintaining continuous communication with Chinese citizens and organizations in the region to implement safety measures for their citizens. This has already resulted in the safe evacuation of some Chinese citizens to neighboring countries.China is also concerned about statements made in a video clip purportedly by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he asserts that Israel will destroy nuclear-armed Islamic states that are not allied with Israel, most notably Iran and Pakistan. In this context, China may come to Iran’s aid if Israel attempts to spread complete chaos within Iran, paving the way for a plan to divide Iranian territory into spheres of influence and several states for ethnic, religious, and sectarian minorities. Beijing fears this, both to preserve the unity and integrity of Iranian territory and to fear US-Israeli intelligence planning to establish a “Kurdistan state” along the borders of Iran, Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. This would harm Chinese interests and create a parallel state in the region loyal to Israel, the United States, and the West. In my view, Beijing will not act alone at the present time but rather through its close ally, Pakistan, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Pakistani port of Gwadar, which has massive Chinese investments. China already has a presence in this conflict. The ongoing war is a proxy war between China and the United States to destroy Iran, China’s ally, while Tel Aviv acts as a proxy army for America. Pakistan is a strong economic ally of China, in addition to being a nuclear power like Iran. In this context, we can refer to the Pakistani side’s statement that if Israel uses nuclear weapons on Iranian territory, it will respond in kind. It should be noted that Israel, through the individuals and sites it targeted inside Iran, is attempting to influence the internal political situation there. From a military perspective, the Israeli military strike aimed to reduce the level of military capabilities and potential of Tehran, China’s successor. This necessitates direct protection from China for its Iranian ally, perhaps through an alliance with Pakistan.China is well aware that the goal behind the Israeli attacks on Iran is not the Iranian nuclear program itself, as claimed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is primarily wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes in Gaza because Tehran does not possess sufficient enriched uranium to produce nuclear weapons. Herein lies the true objective behind Israel’s current unjustified attack on Iran, a desperate attempt by Netanyahu to escape from his internal crises. This is because the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip has reached a dead end, in addition to the pressure Netanyahu is under from the opposition and demonstrations against his domestic policies.On the other hand, there are numerous economic and diplomatic risks facing China if it assumes the role I mentioned earlier in resolving the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict. Furthermore, if China were to intervene and participate in the conflict, it could be considered a challenge to US influence in the region, which could have implications for Beijing’s broader foreign policy objectives. There are also numerous risks facing China if it is perceived as overly biased toward Iran, and this could potentially impact its relations in the Middle East as a whole. Considering that China has expressed its explicit support for Iran in the face of Israeli attacks, condemning what it described as a flagrant Israeli violation of international law. All official Chinese statements and declarations affirm Beijing’s support for Tehran in defending its legitimate rights and interests and ensuring the security and safety of its people, according to official statements issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. At the same time, China rejected the statement, stating that “Israel’s actions severely violate the basic norms governing international relations” and that the recent Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities set a dangerous precedent with potentially disastrous repercussions for the entire international community and the stability of the Middle East. The repercussions of the confrontation would not be limited to Iran and Israel alone but would extend to the security and political structures of the entire Middle East.There is also genuine Chinese concern that an Israeli military strike on Iran could affect the stability of energy supply routes in the Middle East and China’s projects through the Belt and Road Initiative, reflecting Beijing’s current priority of protecting its trade routes. The continuation of the conflict between Israel and Iran could harm China’s economic interests, as it is the largest importer of foreign oil, particularly from Iran, even under US sanctions. Therefore, it is concerned about the potential impact of the escalating war in the Middle East on its oil supply and the wages of workers in this sector. This is because Iran sells its oil at a low price. Therefore, any Israeli raid targeting Iranian oil facilities could force China to rely more heavily on another, more costly, exporter, such as Saudi Arabia. Saudi shipments could also be intercepted in the Strait of Hormuz or the Red Sea due to missile attacks launched by Iran or the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, which Iran supports in Yemen.Iran, in turn, represents a lucrative source of energy for China, an important market, and a central location on the route to Europe. No less important, it represents a strategic challenge to America in the Middle East, similar to what North Korea represents for it in East Asia. For this reason, China fears a wide-scale expansion and duration of the war between Israel and Iran. A major war in the region could threaten China’s commercial interests in the Middle East, especially given China’s massive investments, amounting to billions of dollars, in energy and infrastructure projects in the region, particularly in Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Israel is also among the countries that have received significant Chinese investments, despite China’s support for the Palestinian cause. Accordingly, an expansion of the Israeli-Iranian conflict could harm China’s approach through its Belt and Road Initiative, which is not concerned with politics. Through this initiative, China has sought to present itself in the region as an economic and investment power uninterested in interfering in regional affairs but rather as a power seeking to enhance its image in developing countries and the developing countries of the Global South, which view China as a power equal to America in terms of weight and influence.Finally, there are many broader implications if the conflict between Israel and Iran worsens into a regional conflagration, because there are fears that an Israeli attack on Iran could lead to a comprehensive and large-scale military war in the region, especially after Iranian leaders threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to global trade following the Israeli aggression against it. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil arteries, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Approximately 20 million barrels of oil and its derivatives pass through it daily, representing about one-fifth of global oil shipments. Any attempt to close it would impact global energy markets. The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is placing increasing pressure on relations around the world, including between major powers. China, along with Russia, is also expected to block any UN resolutions criticizing Iran in the wake of the Israeli strikes on Iran and oppose any use of force against it.If the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates across multiple fronts, China believes it has the right to assist its close Iranian ally, especially given that China maintains close strategic and economic ties with Iran. China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, particularly in light of US sanctions imposed on Tehran. Meanwhile, Beijing has adopted a cautious stance toward Israel, despite the growing trade relations between the two sides. This Chinese diplomatic effort to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Israel stems from fears that the war could expand regionally and internationally. This is particularly true in light of escalating international positions, with speculation that Britain, the United States, and France could join the war on Israel’s front against Iran. A number of Western countries are considering several options to support Israel militarily, while Iran has warned that any Western intervention could be met with a direct response against its bases spread across the Middle East, especially those American military bases deployed on several fronts in the region.On the other hand, there is a worrying trend in the military-security field in Israel regarding the growing military relations between China and Iran, with the increase in military, technological, intelligence, and security cooperation between them. Furthermore, the transfer of Chinese military technology, used by Iran to develop and produce weapons systems, is viewed by Israel as potentially harmful. This was exemplified by the Chinese cluster missiles launched by Hezbollah towards Israel. The public indications of growing military cooperation between China and Iran are also multiplying, such as joint military exercises, visits to ports and straits, and visits by naval, military, and security officials, a matter that both Washington and Tel Aviv fear regarding the growing military relations between China and Iran. Especially with Beijing’s expanding training of Iranian forces in naval combat and China supplying its Iranian ally with anti-ship missiles, Israel views them as a direct threat in the Mediterranean and Red Seas. At the same time, the Gulf states fear the growth of Iranian military power with Chinese assistance in confronting them, in addition to the United States’ own concerns due to its fleets and military bases deployed in the Middle East and the Western Pacific.Here, Israel and the Gulf states believe that Chinese assistance to Tehran reinforces the direct threat to the security of both Israel and the Gulf from Iran, enhances its capabilities, and expands its ability to target Israel, both directly and indirectly, through the “proxy warfare” project, most notably Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi militia in Yemen, and Shiite militias in Syria and Iraq.