There are several paradoxes about Spain’s global role. Its business leaders have built up many world-beating companies, but its politicians tend to be parochial. And although Spain is one of the most pro-European Union nations, it wields less influence in the EU than the other large member states.
This was not always the case. From the time it joined the EU in 1986 until the early years of the current decade, Spain was a member state that mattered.
