The Ministry of Finance has given the green light to the new system of regional financing during the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy, with the exclusive support of Catalonia and the Canary Islands. However, its effective implementation starting January 1, 2027, remains uncertain, as it requires an absolute majority in Parliament that the Government does not yet possess.
Despite the Government’s backing, the proposal has faced resistance, particularly among the communities governed by the PP, who expressed their opposition, including the absence of the Community of Madrid. Even more surprising was the rejection from communities governed by the PSOE, such as Castilla-La Mancha and Asturias. The reform is progressing because the Executive had the necessary support from some communities, thus reaching 50% of the votes.
The meeting, which had been postponed, proceeded without notable incidents. The Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, defended the reform, assuring support from Catalonia through an agreement with ERC and the Generalitat of Salvador Illa. The Canary Islands, for their part, joined after reaching an agreement to improve their specific financing. Despite this backing, 90% of regional governments have rejected it.
The deputy from the Socialist Parliamentary Group in Castilla-La Mancha, Paloma Jiménez, argued against her community’s stance, stating that the new model does not guarantee the quality of public services or equality among citizens. In a statement in Toledo, she affirmed that Castilla-La Mancha needs a financing model that takes into account geographical dispersion and the economic impact of providing services in smaller areas.
On the other hand, the Minister of Economy and Finance of Catalonia, Alícia Romero, expressed her support for the reform, considering it a “window of opportunity.” According to her, the new model is expected to have a positive impact of over €21 billion across the system, with nearly €4.7 billion earmarked for public services in Catalonia. Romero was optimistic, highlighting that the reform will advance in Congress in the coming weeks, aligning with the minister’s intention to present it to the Council of Ministers “as soon as possible.”
Source: www.infobae.com
