08/02/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 8 February, the Board of Directors of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) approved a request submitted by the Spanish authorities on 30 January of this year for the early repayment of some of what they owe it, in the amount of €5 billion. This is the seventh time that Spain has carried out a similar procedure to pay back loans it took out from the ESM between December 2012 and February 2013 to recapitalise its banks, for a total of €41.3 million. Following the repayment of this €5 billion, in two instalments, the first on 23 February and the second in May, Madrid will have €26.7 billion left to pay by 2027. (LT)