An evening broadcast on one of Spain’s leading television channels turned into an arena for a heated debate about the growing generational divide. At the heart of the discussion was a sensitive issue: the financial inequality between the older generation and young people, which, according to some estimates, has increased ninefold over recent decades. The debate quickly escalated, exposing starkly opposing views on the causes and those responsible for the current situation.
A particularly pointed remark aimed at young Spaniards came from Antonio Garamendi, head of the employers’ confederation. He cited the example of tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, implying that the modern generation simply lacks diligence and ambition to achieve their goals. Several other business representatives in the studio echoed this view, complaining about the exorbitant taxes they have to pay, while pensioners receive guaranteed monthly payments from the government.
However, union leader Afra Blanco strongly disagreed with this interpretation. Hearing reproaches against pensioners, she remarked with irony that Mr. Garamendi must be rubbing his hands in satisfaction while observing the dispute. In her view, this is a classic ‘divide and conquer’ tactic. Blanco then shifted the focus from pensioners to those whom she believes are directly responsible for the economic difficulties faced by the youth.
In the studio, she posed a rhetorical question that left many silent: who pays young people their ‘meager salaries’—their grandfathers or their bosses? The activist firmly stood up for the older generation, reminding that today’s pensioners earned their payments through decades of hard work. This is not a handout from the state, but a well-deserved right to a dignified retirement.
To support her position, Blanco cited a specific historical example. She recalled a period nearly a decade ago when the People’s Party was in power. At that time, the government refused to index pensions to inflation, but this in no way led to higher salaries for young professionals. According to her, entrepreneurs were in no rush to raise wages for their employees, which proves there is no direct connection between the size of pensions and the income levels of working youth.
“The root of the problem is not your grandmother’s pension, but your payslip and your boss,” Blanco concluded her speech with emotion, stating that the only way out of the situation is for workers to organize themselves. Such strong wording sparked a mixed reaction. Some program guests accused her of “criminalizing” and tarnishing the image of all entrepreneurs in the country without exception.
