Feijóo demands from multilateralism a new model of regional financing: “All together” | Spain

In his demonstration of PP unity in front of Moncloa, and contrary to the bipartisan PSC and ERC pact, Alberto Núñez Feijóo demanded that Pedro Sánchez bring all the territorial leaders to a multilateral negotiating table to undertake the renewal of the party's regional financing model, which expired in 2014. “We demand and we personally commit ourselves to ensuring that what belongs to everyone is discussed and accepted by everyone,” said the leader of the Popular Party during his speech at the summit of barons held in Madrid. “All together,” stressed Núñez after more than two hours of meeting with his leaders at the Palace of the Dukes of Pastrana in Madrid. A “solemn” scenario sought by Genoa to give the appearance of a Conference of Presidents that Sánchez has not yet convened.

Feijóo also asked the Executive to “immediately make available to the communities 18 billion euros of Next Generation funds that it has not been able to execute.” As well as the creation of a transitional fund “to compensate for economic imbalances” between the territories until the approval of the future system is finalized. The demands of the PP leader were reflected in a document signed by all the barons, in which they also commit themselves not to negotiate bilaterally with the Government on the reform of the model. A commitment that is not accidental, but is reflected in the individual invitation made by the President of the Government to the regional presidents to participate in La Moncloa.

“The agreement between the government and the independence movement does not improve the financing of services in any autonomous community. What is sought is the financing of the process“, continued Feijóo. “What brings solutions to Catalonia and the rest is an update of the financing system agreed in the forums where we are all present. We are committed to actively contributing to the achievement of a new multilateral financing model, with more resources, which, from the common regime, responds to the particularities of each territory,” added Feijóo, aware of the different demands of the territories.

With the demand for a new model, the result of the PP's common front against the singular financing of Catalonia, the Popular Party is forced to open the melon of the internal debate on how to approach the new design of the Financing Law of Catalonia. the autonomous communities (LOFCA), on which there is no internal consensus due to dissensions among the territorial executives of the PP. In the document signed this Friday, the Popular Party does not propose a common model proposal, but rather a declaration of “principles” of “solidarity” and “equality” against the “separatist quota” agreed in Catalonia. And they are asking for the convening of the Conference of Presidents and the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy to address the issue in these forums.

The offer of the round of barons made by Sánchez this Wednesday has hung over the conclave after the president of the Community of Madrid urged her colleagues on Wednesday to reject Sánchez's individual invitation. There is no unity on this point, no matter how much this message is what Feijóo wanted to emphasize with this act: the call for Ayuso's plan contrasts with the willingness of the majority of barons to attend the meeting in Moncloa and Génova has given way to react as they see fit.

In his speech at today's event, Ayuso lowered his tone by not addressing his colleagues directly, but he did not confirm whether or not he would stand up to Sánchez: “Of course, we all have unique problems. Of course, I would like it to happen in La Moncloa. And it happens to others too, but I am happy that what concerns the common fund is discussed in a fair forum,” he expressed. Privately, sources in his office are reluctant for the PP presidents to participate in La Moncloa, even considering the institutional nature of the event, due to the exceptional nature of the “context” caused by Sánchez's latest pacts. “With the one that is being put in place,” sources point out about Sánchez. And they recall that Ayuso agreed to meet with the president in other circumstances, while avoiding that meeting the head of the Executive after the agreement with the PSC and the ERC would mean legitimizing his action.