Esquerra Republicana (ERC) has shifted its focus towards controlling investments in Catalonia, particularly in the context of IRPF (income tax) revenue collection. The party, led by Oriol Junqueras, recognizes the challenges presented by the ongoing crisis in Rodalies, the regional train service, as an opportunity to navigate through a stalemate in negotiations regarding regional budgets. In light of this, ERC is exploring various strategies to revive the Generalitat's budgets, which have been stalled due to disagreements with the Spanish Treasury.

During negotiations, Junqueras set a prerequisite for discussions around the budgets: that the IRPF be collected by the Generalitat. However, this condition has been met with resistance from the socialist party, who deem it politically impractical in the current electoral climate. The situation has given rise to discussions about creating a consortium to manage and oversee public infrastructure, which could facilitate both parties in breaking through the impasse. This consortium could serve as a mechanism to ensure necessary investments while also addressing the ongoing infrastructures issues in Catalonia.

As both parties maneuver to bring this consortium proposal to the forefront of Congress's agenda, there are implications for ERC's stance on the IRPF revenue as a bargaining chip. The potential for an agreement could reshape the financial dynamics in Catalonia, reflecting the ongoing struggle between regional ambitions and national fiscal policies. The developments will be closely watched as they may set the tone for future relations both within Catalonia and between the region and the central government.