Summer jobs help bring Spain’s jobless rate down to 20 pct

MADRID – Official figures show Spain’s unemployment rate dropped to 20 per cent in the second quarter from 20.9 per cent in the previous three-month period, some positive news for acting conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy as he searches for support to stay in office following the country’s second inconclusive election last month.

The National Statistics Institute said the number of people out of work fell by 216,700 in April through June to a rounded total of 4.6 million. Summer jobs in tourism and hostelry traditionally boost figures in the second quarter.

The announcement comes as King Felipe VI on Thursday wraps up talks with political party leaders aimed at finding one with enough parliamentary support to form a government and avoid a third election.