The Catalan government, led by Salvador Illa, plans to approve a budget proposal despite lacking essential support from ERC, which has rejected negotiations over tax concessions.
Salvador Illa, the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, has announced an extraordinary Executive Council meeting this Friday to approve the budget proposal. However, this move challenges the anticipated support from the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), which has explicitly refused to negotiate budgetary terms following a secret meeting between Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez and the party leader Junqueras regarding tax revenue concessions. ERC's stance indicates a trust deficit, claiming that the socialist government has not fulfilled its promises or provided guarantees needed for collaboration.
The current political landscape in Catalonia is fraught with tension, as the Generalitat holds a precarious position concerning the budget approval. Illa managed to reach an agreement with the 'comuns' (Catalan Podemos), but without ERC's backing, the sustainability of the proposed budget remains uncertain. This situation is particularly significant as ERC demands a complete transfer of personal income tax revenues to the region before they would consider supporting any budgetary efforts, highlighting broader issues of autonomy and governance in Catalonia.
The timing of this budget proposal approval comes just a week after Illa's return from hospitalization, marking a pivotal moment in his leadership. As he seeks to solidify support for his administration's financial plans, the dynamics between regional factions may severely influence future governance in Catalonia. Illa’s push for budget approval could also serve as a strategic maneuver intended to place pressure on ERC, and potentially shift negotiations back to the table amid calls from ERC for more 'national ambition' rather than mere reassurances from the socialist government.
