With their plates in hand, the Spanish don't lose their composure.
Just hours before receiving $40 billion from the IMF and aid from Germany's Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is trying to ban the word "bailout."
247 - Throughout history, humility has never been the most striking character trait of the Spanish people. Accustomed to great empires, great conquests, and great artists, the Spanish have, over time, inflated their egos. This Saturday, they face a dramatic moment in their history. Like an emerging country, Spain will be bailed out. According to the International Monetary Fund, headed by Christine Lagarde, a $40 billion line of credit will be opened for Spanish banks.
This afternoon, there will also be a meeting of the Eurogroup, which brings together European finance ministers, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made it clear that she cannot impose aid on the Spanish. The decision to request support is autonomous for the government of Mariano Rajoy. He, in turn, has not yet formalized a request for resources. And he will only do so if it becomes clear that there is no mention of the word "bailout" in the document.
Spanish pride would not allow it.