Just read an article in an aviation magazine (I can not link where as per site norms) stating that AENA (spanish NSP) is considering to get rid of the planning controlers to increase economic eficiency.
Now the article goes on pointing out that this would be asking for another crash like the one at
Ueberlingen. I take that this is probably an exageration as things are nowadays a bit tense at the spanish ATC and likeminded media, but I would welcome some other opinions on this issue.