Politicians should always try and tackle the largest problems in society first. This week's free essay on my personal blog looks at what a pragmatic manifesto to change Spanish society, based on this general principle, would look like.

Happy Christmas, everyone!

Ex-minister Jordi Sevilla plans to launch a new non-populist manifesto next month to help Spain's Socialist party backtrack from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's unpopular dealmaking with populists (Paywalled and in Spanish)

Centre-right PP is winning regional elections in Extremadura (Spain) with 65% counted. It is on ≈29 seats, short of 33 needed for majority. The big news is the collapse of the centre-left Socialist opposition to ≈18 vs 28, while hard-right Vox grows to ≈12 vs 5. Hard-left Podemos up to ≈6 vs 4.

While Aaron Beck was trying to make Freudian psychiatry more scientifically sound in the middle of the 20th century, he made an important discovery: we combine our emotions with stories that sit just below our consciousness. To see more, please see this week's free essay on my personal blog.

If you want to understand contemporary Spanish society, the economic growth and tourism industry of the 1960s are more pertinent than the civil war and repression of the 1930s. For the full argument, please check out this week's free essay on my personal blog!

This week has seen police raids on two Spanish ministries, the post office, and the state-owned investment company. The CEO of an airline that was bailed out has been arrested. So has the official who used to run the investment company. Why is the international press not running this story? Strange!

Please check out my mate Duncan's excellent jazz and world music radio show!

Sharpen Your Axe is five! Please check out links to the free essays I have published on my personal blog every week over the past year after the jump.

"Frenemies," a word popular in Silicon Valley, can help us understand the attitude of friendly rivalry that lies at the heart of non-populist politics. Please check out this week's free essay on my personal blog to find out more!

The Lost Planet That Gave Birth to the Moon May Have Been Earth’s Next-Door Neighbor

The essence of constitutionalism is based on letting our enemies live as they see fit so that they let us live as we like. Please check out the free weekly essay on my personal blog after the jump!

Spain’s top court convicts an attorney general for first time

European deal multiples rebound from second-quarter tariffs-related dip – Dealspeak EMEA

ECM update: US shutdown ends, UK budget on the horizon, AI bubble possible – podcast

A leak from the Spanish police suggests that Socialist Party organiser Santos Cerdán asked builders for illegal commissions worth 2% for public works contracts (Paywalled and in Spanish)

Anger is a dangerous emotion. Please check out this week's visual essay on my personal blog.

The investigative unit of Spain's Civil Guard has searched the offices of construction company Acciona as part of its probe into graft allegations against top Socialist politicians (In Spanish)

Epstein mentioned Trump multiple times in private emails, new release shows

OakNorth eyes UK, US niche acquisitions; IPO not on near-term agenda

How can we help our friends on the right gain some critical distance from a culture war that has been imported from the US? Please check out the free weekly essay on my personal blog for my thoughts after the jump!

French political gridlock hurts country’s start-up aspirations – podcast

US sponsors home in on UK take-private targets with stateside revenues

Bank mergers in Spain’s concentrated market will require patience and diplomacy to execute – Dealspeak EMEA

Our brains are wired for storytelling, which gives populists an advantage in the internet age. There is a very simple solution for non-populists, who need to learn how to tell better reality-based narratives. Please check out the free weekly essay on my personal blog for more!

Private credit woes, Trump tariffs coerce US corporate right-scaling – podcast with @jwestjourno.bsky.social

Mistral AI flatters French scale-up capital scene as political clouds gather — Dealspeak EMEA

Spanish government in crisis as Catalans withdraw their support

What will happen if AI evolves to a point that humans no longer understand what is going on in the algorithmic black box? Please check out this week's free essay on my personal blog for my thoughts and some book recommendations.

Taxfix pursues three-pronged M&A strategy in push for pan-European scale

Hey Google, can AI chatbots replace investment bankers?

People with some cancers live longer after a COVID vaccine

Europe’s counter-drone strategy needs sponsor capital to scale heights – Dealspeak EMEA

Private credit’s public pivot in a crisis could become a more permanent shift

Corruption among elected officials has long been a hot topic throughout Spain. But, perhaps surprisingly, the roots of the problem come from a common practice: ordinary people shaving a little off tax bills when buying a home. Please check out this week's free weekly essay on my personal blog!

BBVA fails in $19 billion takeover battle for Sabadell

I always have massive respect for musicians who can have a run of three perfect albums in a row. D'Angelo is on that list! May he rest in peace.

Swiss corporates pursue outbound M&A to boost pharma pipelines, mitigate tariffs – Dealspeak EMEA

The ruling "Frankenstein" coalition in Spain is showing some signs of immunity failure as numerouos scandals continue to simmer. Please check out the free weekly essay on my personal blog after the jump!

BNP Paribas AM secures third close for co-investment fund

Why investors are shifting positions on energy transition – podcast

Private capital can help cover capex bill for European grids – Dealspeak EMEA

A 'drone wall'? Europe floats a high-tech response to Russian threats

Study Traces Autism's Origin to The Rise of Human Intelligence

Why are angry people drawn to black-and-white narratives? Please check out this week's free essay on my personal blog after the jump!

Lohmann & Rauscher actively assesses M&A as part of nearshoring strategy – CFO

European restaurant market remains challenging, but exceptions whet investors’ appetites — Dealspeak EMEA

What is the difference between a guru and a subject-matter expert (SME)? And could an SME in critical thinking become a guru? Please check out my thoughts in the free weekly essay on my personal blog!

Anti-vaccine groups melt down over RFK Jr. linking autism to Tylenol

Why beauty dealmakers are shying away from launching formal sales processes – podcast