Spanish Congress to debate Greek bailout

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy confirmed on Wednesday that the terms of Spain's participation in the agreement for the third Greek bailout by the European Union would be debated in the Spanish Congress.

Rajoy failed to give a date for the debate, but Spanish media speculated it would be some time in August.

The Spanish Prime Minister used his public appearance to criticize Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who is a close political ally of Pablo Iglesias, the leader of Spain's left-wing party Podemos.

He said it was "difficult to qualify" Tsipras' strategy in negotiating with the EU, adding that the Greek people probably felt confused.

"It will be hard to avoid the frustration of a part of the Greek people who refused one set of proposals just over a week ago, but who now have to accept another more demanding one," said Rajoy.

Rajoy continued by saying he wanted to "see the issue concluded in the best possible way," and added that the euro "would be strengthened by this test."

Interestingly, when Spain needed EU funds to help shore up its banking system in 2012, Rajoy refused all requests for a debate in Congress. Endit