Spanish PM: not yet decided on bailout request

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy said Monday he has not yet taken a decision to request a financial rescue package pending the European Central Bank's (ECB) conditions for the aid. This decision is difficult and Spain needs to be careful and rational before taking it because it concerns 46 million Spaniards, Rajoy said in an interview with the official TV, the first since taking office. He welcomed ECB's purchase of the government bonds in parallel markets of the countries in need. Rajoy said cutting the deficit was one of his top priorities but also a difficult challenge on the way out of the financial crisis, in order to revive the economy and create jobs. He said Spain was passing through tough transitional time which required big sacrifices. Rajoy said he was confident that next year would see a remarkable economic recovery. The budget of 2013 aims at providing 39 billion euros, he said.