Spain's economy to keep growing in third quarter

Spain's economy will grow in the July to September period at a similar pace to previous quarters, boosted by a busy tourism season and consumer spending, the economy minister said in comments published on Sunday.

Spain has recovered from a deep recession and the economy is growing at one of the fastest rates in the euro zone, expanding by 0.9 percent quarter-on-quarter in the first three months of 2015, and by 1 percent in the second quarter.

Minister Luis de Guindos was quoted as saying that growth would be "very similar" in the third quarter.

In an interview published on Efe's website, he predicted Spain's tax take would also keep growing, helping the turnaround. He said the government, which has brought in personal income tax cuts, would not be changing the 21 percent VAT rate it introduced for cultural goods and services, which the arts industry has denounced as too high.

Spain's center-right government is banking on the economic turnaround to win back voters ahead of a general election due by year end. Polls show the ruling People's Party risks losing its majority in parliament after corruption scandals and spending cuts.